Demand for residential property in Manchester is continually rising, with more people than ever looking to live, work, and invest in the city. To meet this continuous interest, plans have been submitted by Linear Living for a 24-storey residential building in Manchester’s Green Quarter, which will provide over 250 new homes, including townhouse options.
Linear Living state that they ‘deliver premium and affordable developments’ with ‘quality, sustainability, and integrity as [their] drivers’. The proposals would regenerate a space which has been vacant for some time, turning the previous retail and commercial structures that have been partially demolished into a residential building that would include an array of living spaces such as seven adaptable homes for residents with additional needs such as wheelchair users. The designs for the new structure come from Manchester-based firm AEW Architects.
Such a high-quality residential space could prove to be an exciting addition to Manchester’s architectural identity, as well as assisting in architecture jobs in Manchester and property jobs in Manchester too if the ‘One Lord Street’ scheme comes together pending approval.
CEO of Linear Living, Stephen Holmes, has stated ‘we see this as a gateway scheme, with the opportunity to make a strong architectural statement while contributing to the wider regeneration of the Green Quarter.’ Holmes also went on to highlight how ‘working with an experienced project team, we have developed designs that are commercially viable and aligned with the long-term vision for the area. Subject to approval, we look forward to bringing forward a high-quality scheme that adds lasting value to this part of Manchester.’
Linear Living already have a well-established base in the city, previously delivering the first phase of the £34 million Trafford Gardens project. If this new scheme is approved, work is expected to begin before the end of the year and is set to be completed in 2029, with Stephen Holmes labelling it as a ‘significant milestone for Linear Living as [they] expand into Manchester city centre.’
Phil Hepworth, director at AEW Architects, added: “Located at the northern gateway into Manchester City Centre, Lord Street presented a unique opportunity to complete the Green Quarter and shape a key arrival point into the city. Sustainability, connectivity, and quality of life were the guiding principles throughout our ambition to create a design that balances ambition with context, enhances the streetscape, complements the Green Quarter and responds sensitively to its surroundings.”
Linear Living has acquired the site from Delph Property, who bought it in 2018. The site originally had approval for 190 apartments which would be constructed over 16-storeys. Liner Living’s proposal is significantly taller than this, demonstrating the overall architectural trend in the city for larger projects to reach the ever-growing residential demand.
If the plans gain approval and move to construction, this could be an interesting addition to Manchester’s residential portfolio and to the city’s skyline. The array of homes set to meet residents of all needs would be a welcome addition to the city’s offering, and it will be interesting to see if the larger scale proposals continue to dominate in terms of newer structures going forward.