Manchester has continued to rise in popularity for residential property as more and more people are drawn to live, work, and invest in the area. Because of this increased demand, there are an array of interesting and ambitious projects underway, with the most recent example being given the green light by Manchester City Council for the creation of 879 new homes as part of the £1.4 billion Mayfield regeneration scheme in central Manchester.
Planning permission has been granted to architecture firms Studio Egret West and shedkm, with developer Landsec overseeing construction of the project close to Piccadilly Station. The project is set to be split across the two firms, with Studio Egret West designing 494 homes in two connected residential towers, and shedkm completing the remaining 385 residential spaces in another pair of linked structures.
The buildings will contain a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom flats, with intention to deliver 20% of the space as affordable housing, to be prioritised for key workers, which is an important social commitment for such a central location.
The design of the project has been considered with the surrounding area in mind, ‘in a way that retains as much access to sunlight as possible while creating a safe and peaceful destination separated from the busy Mancunian Way’.
Hazel Rounding, shedkm’s Managing Director outlined that ‘by taking inspiration from the original Depot building, we are not just preserving a piece of Manchester’s history; but repurposing it for future generations.’
Alongside the residential offerings, the project will also include the construction of an office building, commercial space to host shops, restaurants, and cafes, community spaces, and a health and wellbeing club. The scheme is also set to expand the size of Mayfield Park by 40% and will include a transport hub, featuring the city’s biggest cycle park. Work on all these elements are set to start from 2026.
Henrietta Nowne, Development Director at Landsec highlighted how ‘Mayfield residents will have the ultimate back garden in an award-winning park, as part of a shared vision to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable new neighbourhood in the heart of the city.’
Such a varied project which is to benefit residents, and the community alike is an exciting addition to Manchester’s city centre and means great things for architecture jobs in Manchester and property jobs in Manchester as well.
Duncan Paybody, Studio Egret West Director, states that ‘our deep connection to, and passion for Mayfield has been evolving since 2016. These new designs build on the park’s central themes and success, adding more play, new planting characters, and nature-based water management. The design of the new homes is inspired by the site’s rich industrial history, forging an illustrious future from its industrious past.’
This ambitious project is an exciting addition to Manchester’s residential landscape, its communities, and its local economy. The scheme will assist in meeting the ever-growing demand for properties in the city centre for buyers, renters, and investors alike.
