The Northern Quarter [Archive] - Page 3

SleepyOne

May 28th, 2008, 01:18 AM

As it is, the building houses a thriving arts organistaion and is home to dozens of comunity based arts and media groups, the very type of mixed use scheme the city council are supposedly wanting to attract to Stephenson Square as part of its rebirth.

Manchester Confidential profiled a new gallery based in Marlsboro House in following article

Lynda Moyo visits Sketch City’s new artistic space base

Manchester has a new art gallery. A far cry from the stiff and stuffy façade many galleries often portray, Upper Space is a breath of fresh snob-free air. Ahhh.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art4.jpg

A far cry from the stiff and stuffy façade many galleries often portray, Upper Space is a breath of fresh snob-free air. Ahhh.

Located in the Northern Quarter above Sunshine dance studios, Upper Space is the new hub for longstanding legal-scribble night, Sketch City. The live street art and music event has been running for two years and has now decided to give the artists a platform to exhibit their work.

The former 70s clothing warehouse took more than a lick of paint to transform but with a little help from their friends, the Sketch City crew have produced a gallery space which will give street artists as well as national and international artists the opportunity to gain exposure by showcasing their work to the public.

This isn’t a ‘dusty work-of-art in brass frame behind a roped off area’ type of affair. Upper Space, have openly encouraged artists to experiment with the space and work not only onto the walls but onto the floors, ceilings, fixtures and fittings as well. The more you look, the more you see. Street art and graffiti are contemporary art forms and with that in mind, Upper Space has taken a contemporary approach to exhibiting them.

There are also plans to hold workshops in the future for a variety of age groups with the Sketch City artists as well as the chance for people to become resident artists. Watch this (Upper) space.

Upper Space Gallery
Marlsboro House
52 Newton Street
Manchester
M1 1ED

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art1.jpghttp://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art6.jpg

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art3.jpghttp://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art5.jpg

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art2.jpghttp://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art7.jpg

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http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art10.jpghttp://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/20080403art12.jpg

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNwImNw7qKWU6IHqjNwB6IA

http://www.sketchcity.co.uk/

Comdot

May 28th, 2008, 01:19 AM

build a building above it on stilts so the artisan can continue unmolested?

macc

May 28th, 2008, 11:13 AM

There was talk of using Marlsboro house as a blank canvas and covering it in graffitti similar to that in the Manchester Confidential article. I quite liked the sound of this and the artisits are very good. I much prefer the life-like designs to traditional graffitti tags. Plus, without wanting to sound like a twat, it would be a hell of inkeeping with the hold northern quarter 'vibe' than that new proposal. I realise its a different building though.

Whatever happened to that proposal for a black granite building near the Irwell and Salford Central area? That looked good.

monkey_rat

May 28th, 2008, 10:51 PM

anyone have any ideas if there is anything planned for that one storey building a little further up newton street?

I'd prefer to see this go there rather than marslboro house making way.

The Longford

May 28th, 2008, 11:28 PM

I like Hilton House.

Fascinating fact that about Marlsboro House from Bluegate.
Looking at it now it makes sense.
Trouble is that old buildings are not up to spec with regards routing communications in and the like and are therefore very very difficult to bring up to 'Grade A' office accomodation.

Griff

May 29th, 2008, 12:47 AM

Wasn't the exterior of Hilton House used in an episode of Life On Mars (as a college or some suchlike, series 1 episode 7)?

jrb

June 10th, 2008, 10:07 AM

A planning application has been submitted for a residential tower on Newton Street in Manchester city centre's Northern Quarter. Hodder Associates has submitted proposals for a 10-storey apartment block with Cheshire-based developer Maryland Securities. If plans for the site near Piccadilly Basin are approved, the development will comprise 66 apartments.

Cassina009

June 10th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Mmm i just might start saving for one! (http://musik.hitmeister.de/ja-rule-pain-is-love-34865/) Worked in the northern quarter for years but never quite had sufficient funds to live there.

SleepyOne

June 25th, 2008, 10:00 PM

A report to the council's executive covering proposed developments on the Church St multistorey car park, a joint venture to develop Argent's The Hive development, the revamp of Stephenson Square, The Arts Council and more...

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/19.__Northern_Quarter.pdf

Potato Man

June 25th, 2008, 11:16 PM

Very interesting sleepy. Thanks for posting.

Think this paragraph warrants posting directly to the forum:

The proposed mixed use scheme is estimated to be worth circa £55m and will be in two buildings. The first is proposed to be a 12/13 storey building including 745 car park spaces with access and egress via John Street constructed above circa 65,000 sq.ft. of specialist retail and 35,000 sq.ft. of office space. The retail space will be located at ground and first floor beneath the car parking. The office areas would form an external “wrap” delivering high quality elevations to street level – the element which is often problematic in car park schemes. The second element is proposed to be a 150 – 180 bed four-star hotel in a separate 15 storey building on the corner of Church Street and Red Lion Street. By splitting the site into two buildings and introducing active ground floor uses there will be significantly improved permeability through the site than currently exists. It is proposed to construct a new “street” to maximise the benefits of this approach to the area’s wider economy

Just a shame the background reading documents are not online. The forum would probably got a lot of mileage out of Church Street Car Park development indicative scheme drawings

The Longford

June 26th, 2008, 01:39 AM

I cant remember if i hinted at this in the Manchester Gossip thread but this has been being worked up for a while. I heard about this from someone at a well known Manchester based developer but the vibe i was getting was that it was getting difficult to get the numbers to stack up.
There is a need to retain the same amount of car parking spaces but how you incorporate that into an attractive building is proving difficult.

SleepyOne

June 26th, 2008, 01:57 AM

The prospect of the Craft and Design Centre moving as anchor tenant to the new retail / MCSP building is an interesting one, pulling it more into the retail heart of the Northern Quarter. As is the joint venture on The Hive...

jrb

July 5th, 2008, 12:44 PM

From the MEN.

Exactly what the NQ and the city centre needs. :)

1,300 jobs with city expansion
Exclusive Deborah Linton
5/ 7/2008

A £30m masterplan aims to make the Northern Quarter a Manchester version of London's Camden Lock.

The project, which could be delivered as soon as 2010, could secure the future of the bohemian neighbourhood as the city's creative centre - pulling in a flurry of independent businesses, including shops, bars, restaurants and designers.

It has been drawn up by council chiefs and is expected to generate around 1,300 jobs over the next five years and almost £35m a year for the city's economy. Plans include a four-star boutique-type hotel and a possible new home for the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, currently based in the area's old fish market.

The scheme is split into three parts with plans to remodel historic Stevenson Square and create new office space in Lever Street already approved by town hall chiefs who want to provide a 'platform for growth' in the area. A redevelopment of the Church Street multi-storey car park, to incorporate Camden Market style shopping, has been approved in principle and a planning application for the site is expected in the autumn.

Funding for the entire project will be around the £30m mark and would be public sector led, it is understood.

City centre spokesman and Northern Quarter resident, Coun Pat Karney (pictured), said: "This will be the biggest boost for the Northern Quarter for four or five decades and is an opportunity to ensure a thriving future for a part of the city where creative businesses can cluster and flourish together.

"Places like Afflecks shopping emporium and the Craft and Design Centre have done a sterling job in bringing people to the area and these developments will add further momentum to that. Now is a great time to stimulate the economy in that part of town through investment and plans that will preserve the uniqueness that makes it so popular."

The scheme has been co-ordinated to complement the BBC's 2011 move to MediaCity, in neighbouring Salford, and plans to attract new media businesses to 'The Hive' office space being created by developers, Argent, in Lever Street.

Construction

That would be the first project to get off the ground with the possibility of construction work starting in the next few weeks. It is understood the Arts Council will be the first tenants, moving their north-west offices to the site which will offer cheaper office space than neighbouring Piccadilly and is expected to generate 440 jobs and over £9 million-a-year for the city, according to forecasts to 2013.

Plans include creating an arcade to link the development to Stevenson Square, in the heart of the Northern Quarter, which is to undergo a £1.6m remodelling to transform it from a defunct transport interchange to a continental-style open square.

The historic site, which was built at the same time as St Anne's Square and hosted Suffragette rallies, will be part-pedestrianised and bordered by bars and restaurants and able to host open air events.

Redevelopment

The final part of the scheme will be the redevelopment of the Church Street multi-storey car park which developers, Manchester Ship Canal Developments, and award winning local architects, Stephenson Bell, would make over into two, 13-storey buildings, with 745 car park spaces above shops and offices.

The Craft and Design Centre, currently in Oak Street, has been approached as an anchor for the development which it is hoped will boost the Northern Quarter's independent retail profile with a Camden Market style shopping area fronting onto Tib Street, Church Street and Hilton Street. A separate 15-storey building to the north of the site, by Red Lion Street, would house a 150-bed, four-star hotel.

Peter Rothery, chair of Manchester Craft and Design Ltd, said: "We're having exploratory talks with the council but clearly the Church Street development is an exciting, new project in the Northern Quarter and potentially has a good fit with what we're trying to do.

"We have been looking at ways to increase our profile nationally and it would allow us to expand our workshop and exhibition space as well as education opportunities.

"We would anticipate all our tenants moving with us and would only move on terms that present a more attractive offer to them."

The Church Street development is expected to generate almost 900 jobs by 2014 and over £23m-a-year to Manchester's economy.

Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said residents would be fully consulted before plans were approved and added: "The Northern Quarter is an important part of what our vibrant city centre has to offer and its ongoing regeneration is a high priority for us. This scheme has the potential to make a big contribution in strengthening the area's success and identity."

The Longford

July 5th, 2008, 02:47 PM

The final part of the scheme will be the redevelopment of the Church Street multi-storey car park which developers, Manchester Ship Canal Developments*, and award winning local architects, Stephenson Bell**, would make over into two, 13-storey buildings, with 745 car park spaces above shops and offices.

* Peel
:ohno:

** might just save it

markydeedrop

July 12th, 2008, 09:21 PM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/053-5.jpg

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rolybling

July 12th, 2008, 09:24 PM

my favourite part of the city

flange

July 14th, 2008, 08:14 PM

Move Metro 'to make Northern Quarter busier'

By James Chapelard

Market Street Metrolink station should be removed to relieve a “bottleneck” in Manchester's retail core and encourage footfall into the Northern Quarter, according to a new report.

Consultants have recommended that the stop should be relocated to High Street and that Debenhams should be remodeled and renovated — “subject to Debenhams finding an acceptable alternative location”.

They say the changes would create a retail gateway leading down Tib Street into the heart of the Northern Quarter. The advice is contained in Manchester City Centre Retail Strategy, a confidential study done for city centre management company Cityco, by master planners Benoy with property consultants Drivers Jonas and Lunson Mitchenall.

“The entrance to Tib Street is a key gateway to the Northern Quarter from the prime retail pitch of Market Street. The existing Metrolink stop provides a barrier to pedestrian movement,” said the report. “Several buildings along Tib Street are visible from Market Street and currently do not take full advantage of the potential retail opportunity on offer.”

The report's authors have made a series of suggestions which will now be considered by Manchester City Council.

They also call for the part-pedestrianisation of lower Oldham Street, the creation of a new market within Stevenson Square and a feasibility study into a second Cornerhouse complex on an unidentified site in the Northern Quarter.

Earlier this month, Manchester City Council announced plans to redevelop Church Street multi-storey car park into a new 13-storey building with office and retail space similar to Camden Market in London.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/FREE/7130837/-1/toc/-/-/move-metro-to-make-northern-quarter-busier

heatonparkincakes

July 14th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Interesting eh!

Not sure what this "remodelling" of the Debenhams store really means. Id get grateful for advice here.

I suspect what they are playing at is the idea that if the Met station is moved back round the corner, then it "release" the bottom end of Tib St.

Indeed that might be true, but I think that the re-modelling of Church St will make that more attractive,[/COLOR]

(By the way any idea what happens to the car park on Church St, along side Afflecks? Personally its conversion into a public square would be great.)

And the other suggestions would be mint. "Pedesting" Oldham St and thus removing the buses and the bus stands would certainly enhance the overall environmental and safety feel of the area.

Removal of all the buses from the northside of Piccadilly would allow this to be converted into further public space.

I suspect the "new" Market would be a movement of the existing temporary stalls from Tib St and Piccadilly..

And as for a 2nd Cornerhouse. There is plenty of scope for a multi media arts and culture centre in the NQ. I suspect if the NQ had existed in the early 80's, then it would have been placed here, rather on Oxford Rd.

It would enhance the Arts Council, the Chinese cultural centre and the New Band on the Wall.

Bluegate74

July 15th, 2008, 07:09 PM

The Market Street tram stop originally stood on high street, directly outside the Metro cafe, with another stop on Market Street infront of what was then Lewis. They were both amalgamated into one on Market Street specifically to avoid congestion so I cannot see how putting both on High Street would help, especially seeing how they could not be placed too far down High Street as it would get in the way of the Arndale car park exit/entrance.

I do agree the bus stop's on Oldham Street and the Natwest bank side of Picadilly Gardens need removed along with those on Lever Street. You have a state of the art bus station on Shudehill that has been largely empty and underused since it opened. Surely if all of these peripheral bus stops, including those outside Victoria Station were moved to the new bus station, the desired footfall from there straight through the Northern Quarter would bring more shoppers into the area no?

I cannot see a further Corner House style development being a success up in this part of the city as there would be too much competition. The Band on The Wall is already getting a multi-million pound revamp as a live music/arts venue which will apparently include some cinema space so surely that should be enough, on top of the likes of the Coffee Pott, Night & day and other arts/music venues which already exist.

However it pans out though, it can only be good news for a part of the city that has a buzz and energy about it that the rest of corporate Manchester lacks ( nod to 'Spinningfields' )

Slow Burn

July 15th, 2008, 11:23 PM

(By the way any idea what happens to the car park on Church St, along side Afflecks? Personally its conversion into a public square would be great.)

MCC want to use the site to build a 700+ capacity car park with 'specialist retail' units around the ground floor fronting Thomas Street, Church Street and Tib Street. The section of Tib Street that runs between Church Street and Hilton Street would be closed to traffic and used for outdoor markets. Cars would enter the new car park from the other side (can't remember the street name).

The car park building would also incorporate about 20'000 Sq/ft office. A second building would be built on the site for a 150-180 bed 4* hotel.
Howard Bernstein has been talking to the bosses of the Arts and Craft centre abput relocating to the new scheme. All positive so far

Peeks

July 16th, 2008, 01:51 AM

Bluegate74

July 16th, 2008, 06:33 PM

The Longford

July 16th, 2008, 07:58 PM

Is a car park needed at all? The whole idea, I thought, is to revamp public transport to get people off the roads and avoid the congestion charge.

Surely a huge multi-storey car park will add to congestion is this quite tightly packed area and asthetically be a future blight on the neighbourhood.

The site can only been developed if the same amount of parking spaces are 'replaced'.
I think this may well be a City owned car park* (ran by NCP) so are not prepared to lose the income.

* i may be wrong on this but no matter who owns it they are not prepared etc etc and love em or hate em multi storey car parks are an important meat in the transport stew.

heatonparkincakes

July 16th, 2008, 11:15 PM

Ugly blights Mr Longford. Essential but ugly.

Think the Spanish have got it right by having them underground. Out of sight, out of mind.

However if you spent any time in the hell hole that is the Victoria car park in Nottingham. Three storeys under ground and descending. Both in body and spirit.

Some of the city centre's most unappealing buildings are car parks, think that one on Church St, Oxford St.

(dont thrown me the Shudehill interchange, as yeah thats ok)

Plus how much better if we had Aytoun Square or Afflecks Gardens instead of those car parks.

Rant over. Essential but ugly.

jrb

July 31st, 2008, 12:22 AM

edit

macc

August 15th, 2008, 11:14 PM

The 'repainting' of Marlborough House. I'm going tomorrow. They were talking about doing this a couple of years ago under the impressive Belin Urban Art project. Not sure they're even involved in it this time round but it'll be worth a look and will definately be adding to the 'NQ' vibe of the area.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/days_out/s/1062699_city_comes_full_circle

City comes Full Circle
Sarah Walters
14/ 8/2008

TAKE a vivacious city like Manchester - culturally diverse and open-minded - and you'd imagine that an answer might have been found to the age-old problem of graffiti.

Instead, the street art discipline remains frowned upon; it's viewed as wanton vandalism, spoiling the city's architecture.

It's a view borne out by the experiences of some of the region's pre-eminent street artists, many of whom are based at Manchester's Upper Space Gallery in the city's Northern Quarter.

Some reports suggest as many as five of the gallery's artists have recently been prosecuted for their work. Certainly Krek and Mers have spent time in prison, while Luna, AKA Sophie Backhouse, has been hit with an Asbo, fine and suspended sentence.

The gallery's ambitious three-day event, Full Circle, is a timely event then. Designed to showcase both hip-hop and street art culture, Full Circle wants to engage the media, councils and the public in the great debate as to whether graffiti is 'art or crime'.

Productive

Organisers hope Full Circle will go some way to opening up productive conversation between the sides about the importance of legal wall space for artistic expression, and also raise awareness about the quality of modern street art.

Day one starts tonight with the official opening of a new month-long exhibition at Marlsboro House, Newton Street, featuring work by Kelzo, DPM Crew and Tank Petrol at a free, late night DJ party.

The 'barely legal' stuff begins on Saturday when the artists take to the streets to get to work on the external walls of the gallery in a graffiti jam while a group of turntablists, breakdancers and MCs take control indoors.

The Sunday wind-down includes screenings of classic graffiti movies and hip-hop films exploring the taboos of these two cultures.

Full Circle, Upper Space Gallery, Newton St, until Sunday, various times. Free. For details, visit upperspace.blogspot.com.

Comdot

August 19th, 2008, 08:32 PM

bit more on this one

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5588

Maryland Securities

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/5588NewtonStreetResidential_pic1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/5588NewtonStreetResidential_pic3.jpg

heatonparkincakes

August 19th, 2008, 10:34 PM

Is that Marlboro van man parked there?

macc

September 1st, 2008, 11:33 AM

Noho, Unit 16 Sevendale House, 7 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1JA
Application Type Premises Licence New
Proposal Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises:
Sun to Thur 1100 to 0200
Fri to Sat 1100 to 0300

Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment (films, live music, recorded music):
Sun to Thur 1100 to 0200
Fri to Sat 1100 to 0300

Proposed trading hours for the provision of facilities for making music:
Sun to Thur 1100 to 0200
Fri to Sat 1100 to 0300

heatonparkincakes

September 1st, 2008, 12:09 PM

Erm seems that a cluster of (as yet) fairly low key bars and coffee shops are developing around that area.

There is something quite attractive about so called "secret" clusters. Good quality, not so mindnumbing Peter St mainstream, but off the tracks to keep them straying into the elitism vibe of certain parts of Camden and Sout Manchester.

I wonder how it will pan out. Which direction in future years. I think of the local alternatives.

Mother Macs or Dry Bar???????

macc

September 1st, 2008, 12:28 PM

Moho Noho Soco, all these shit names sending me loco.

I like the idea of screening films in the place, but in real life I've never actually been to any.

Brass Monkeys in Edinburgh:
There's a big screen just to the right of where the photo was taken from. Something like that would be good.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/399228872_880f895bc8.jpg?v=0

The location fills a gap between the Thomas St/Highstreet NQ epicentre of bars and those at the back of Piccadilly Basin (Lamarrs etc.).

I think the Trof/Bluu/Walrus/Odd area is on a downhill slope to chavsville, particularly at weekends. In order to maintain the vibe of the area these new places need to expand out off the beaten path.

That's not to say that I think the cluster of bars around High/Thomas street is a bad thing. Its because of these that places such as Noho are planning to exist. Whatever people say about an over-supply of bars in the Northen Quarter, outside of the aforementioned junction much of area still contains empty units.

heatonparkincakes

September 1st, 2008, 12:41 PM

Macc I agree with your fear that the Thomas St area might head towards mainstream mayhem within the next few years.

If Canal St is the Gay village, Peter St the straight village, then Thomas St might soon become the white middle class chav village if its doesnt police itself well. The Vanilla Village.

Such a scenario would kill the NQ as much as any Starbuckification of the area. Becoming cringey elitist and profoundly conservative. A sort of heritage zone.

Whats needed is a diversity of bars, clubs, shops and artistic places, not geared to one particular trend or class or accent, but occupying that spcae to the side of the mainstream in the rest of the city.

markydeedrop

September 7th, 2008, 08:20 PM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/041-7.jpg

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http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/043-7.jpg

jrb

November 11th, 2008, 10:59 PM

Is there anybody out there? We have all moved on. It was fun while it lasted.

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/content/binary/tumbleweed_small.jpg

Anyway.

Land Bounded By Lever Street/Warwick Street/Spear Street/Faraday Street
Manchester

Erection of 7 storey building with A1 (Shop), A2 (Financial and Professional services), A3 (Restaurant/Cafe) or B1 (Business) use at ground floor and B1 (Office) use above

No docs yet.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K972KSBC02600&searchtype=WEEKLY

monkey_rat

November 12th, 2008, 12:23 AM

7 storey? That's alright for the location. Another gap filled.

I'd like to see some proposals done for this other area of the Northern Quarter, so much potential:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Lever+St,+Manchester,+Greater+Manchester+M1,+United+Kingdom&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cd=3&geocode=FZ4UMAMdv-rd_w&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=6.881357,14.941406&ll=53.482744,-2.230402&spn=0.001436,0.003455&t=h&z=18&iwloc=addr

highriser

November 12th, 2008, 01:17 AM

Is'nt that for the Hive , which is already u/c

spoonsbeatfish

January 25th, 2009, 08:00 PM

Is'nt that for the Hive , which is already u/c

Yep it is for the Hive, the target determination date is the 6th Feb so I guess just preliminary work/clear out/foundations going on but last time I walked past a few days ago it looked fully into construction works so?

Maybe the decision was made a month or two ago and as it is being built by the council they got the heads up before the final/official decision, so started early?

Looking at the plans show an arcade running through the middle of the site, parallel to Lever Street.

spoonsbeatfish

January 25th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Does anyone know what is happening with 1-3 Stevenson Square i.e. the building between the Hive site and the square? I found a planning ap on the portal which its determination date was 2 years ago but its still pending consideration (looks like due to consveration context?). Its for flats and shops but there are no documents.

GShutty

January 26th, 2009, 10:08 PM

spoonsbeatfish

January 26th, 2009, 11:38 PM

Off memory, isn't that going to be the second phase of the hive and the afforementioned arcade running parallel with Lever St, will run straight into Stevenson Sq? I've hearad from somebody who worked in the building that it had irretrievable structural defects and either way would be on its way.

I found it while I was looking for the Hive phase 2 but this was before the Hive scheme appeared. I guess that is has now been dropped or will be amended and then become part of the Hive development with an extended Arcade.

CDX

February 3rd, 2009, 12:17 PM

From Crains:

Glassworks' dreams are shattered again as site fails to sell
February 2, 2009
By Simon Binns

http://i40.tinypic.com/11l66ph.jpg

Liquidators claw back £11,000 of investors' money from law firm

Administrators have been unable to sell the site of an abortive residential scheme in Manchester's Northern Quarter despite it being on the market for more than a year.

The failure is another indication of the collapsed state of the market for city centre apartment sites and has left a Cheshire-based lender with little hope of recovering the £2.1m it is owed in the near future.

CLH (Manchester) Ltd went into administration in December 2007, leaving only one asset — a site with planning permission for 72 apartments on Goulden Street in Manchester. Penmarric Plc, a Wilmslow-based finance company, loaned CLH £2.1m and has a charge on the property, but has had to watch as several potential deals to dispose of the site have fallen through.

Bolton-based insolvency firm Tenon Recovery, which was appointed as liquidators to CLH in December, has been trying to sell the site, which has been valued by the Manchester office of Sanderson Weatherall. There is no fixed asking price but the site is “open to offers” according to a Sanderson Weatherall spokesman, who said buyers were looking to negotiate hard on distressed sites.

Offers withdrawn

All 72 apartments had been pre-sold, with 60 of the investors paying deposits of around £12,000 each to the developer. In a recent liquidator's report, Tenon said this should have made the site “attractive” to potential purchasers.

But despite receiving “a few offers” from a number of interested parties, they were later withdrawn after possible buyers concluded the development was “no longer economically viable”. “It is also likely that the value of the apartments, if built, would be substantially less than the contract prices that the investors agreed,” said the report.

A new planning application was submitted and accepted for the site, to turn it into a commercial scheme. A buyer for the new scheme was found, but they also pulled out after deeming the scheme “not commercially viable”.

Tenon said it was now “unlikely” Penmarric's debt would be paid in full and the company has stopped adding interest to the loan.

“The site has reduced in value over the last 12 months...and there is unlikely to be any surplus finds to come into the administrator,” it added. All investors in the scheme, including those who put down deposits on the apartments, are expected to lose their money.

Joe Dwek, a director of Penmarric, said he was working on a new deal which could result in the sale of the site, but a difficult market meant being patient.

Dwek told Crain's: “It's not a dead duck, but it's taking time. But that's the world we live in. There is no money in the market for deals and banks don't want to lend, despite what they might be telling the government. But it's a good site in a prime location, and it isn't costing me anything as it's my own money.

“I can't say how much I'll get back from the investment — I just have to sit tight and wait and see.”

The liquidator's report says that a law firm has refunded £11,000 which it took from investors' deposits to settle bills due to itself and another firm.

Brabners Chaffe Street used some of the £36,205 it was holding from creditors to pay itself £11,164 from a previous invoice to CLH Manchester, and also paid Halliwells £20,000. Tenon said it had challenged the payments and had been refunded by Brabners, although it was still investigating the recovery of the money paid to Halliwells.

Tenon has charged just over £51,300 for its work on the administration.

ThomH

February 12th, 2009, 04:34 PM

I note today that the Margolis Building (just at the back of the Kabana curry cafe between Thomas St and the multi-story) is nearing completion and is now free of scaffolding.

It was one of the few places in town offering the sale (instead of lease) or SME-sized office space and I did have a look at taking one of the offices before we ended up in Virginia House.

I have to say i think it looks pretty darn nice. The new build bits are hardly "wow" but seem neat and tidy and nicely finished and it's just pleasing to see those tiny cottages finally restored.

The street it's on (I forget it's name) is such an inconsequential backstreet that I don't remember it pre-build, and it's been hidden under scaffolding for the last couple of years. It's nice to have it back in the streetscape.

Also, I note the Christopher Wray site is now being turned into a Coop, a point I meant to mention earlier - Is it not a little unusual that they have got the nod when a near identical Tesco proposal got the knock-back?

Don't get me wrong I dislike Tesco's and their bully-boy commercial practices as much as anyone and I appreciate Coop are a local company with an ethical stance far above most supermarkets.

But weren't Tesco's refused not for being devil spawn but for having an existing site around the corner and for being, as a corporate retailer, a bad fit for such a key site at the gateway to the N4.

For better or worse Coop also have an existing site a couple of hundred metres away and are also a corporate brand not exatly imbued with edgy, independent N4 cool.

I'd rather see Coop there than Tesco (or indeed no one) but has there been no outcry at all from local market/barrows traders or N4 residents?

Will Tesco's famously aggressive lawyers let this establish a legal precendent for them losing sites to competitiors just because they're Tescos?

Cheers

Thom

GShutty

February 12th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Yeah, Margolis building looks okay- even the 'portakabin' bit on top. Adds a bit of meat to a nice dense little part of the city. It would be good to see something creative doen with the back alley. It could be quite a quirky retail st perhaps....?

Sad news though as i'm told Earth Cafe will be closing it's doors. A fine place for a post night out detox. :ohno:

flange

February 12th, 2009, 05:19 PM

Sad news though as i'm told Earth Cafe will be closing it's doors. A fine place for a post night out detox. :ohno:

Northern Quarter's Earth cafe to close

Posted by Sarah Hartley on January 9, 2009 08:31 PM

Tonight I reveal sad news indeed - that institution of the Northern Quarter, Earth is to serve its last veggie feast at the end of February.

After more than nine years pf providing good value food from the small, welcoming basement below Manchester's Buddhist Centre, the city's only vegetarian and vegan venue will be shutting up shop.

My reliable sources reveal that some staff will be losing their jobs and that the cafe can no longer pay its way.

Apart from the fact that the ethically run centre is a great venue in its own right, I also feel a sense of sadness that such an epitome of the area's unique vibe is going to fall foul to the credit crunch.

When I lived nearby, Earth was my regular lazy-but-healthy Saturday lunch option and more recently I've been a fan of the take-out service for a cheatin' evening meal.

But its out of the way location also made it an ideal place for those sort of meetings where you didn't want to bump into anyone - hide out in one of the basic booths and catch up on the gossip with an enormous slice of heavenly cake and their amazing own-blend Tiger Chi.

And, of course, don't forget free wi-fi and free filtered water in jugs. Way ahead.

Yes, I'm completely biased in my view and no, I'm not a vegan or even a veggie but this isn't the sort of place where those are pre-requisites. Fresh ingredients properly seasoned and well-cooked does it for me, I even got the man from Channel 4 to give it a visit last year!

Being an independent where you could get a nutritious meal, a delicious cake, the best smoothies in the city by miles and cakes to die for - this is a venue which deserves to see out the current economic downturn - and if there's enough of you out there that feel the same - the campaign starts here.

If however you're happy to see the city centre become one long McBucksWay, then sit tight - the world is moving your way.

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/food/2009/01/northern_quarters_earth_cafe_t_1.html

The end of the Earth?

Deborah Linton

January 16, 2009

A POPULAR restaurant which inspired ethical eating across the city could be forced to close.

Earth Café - renowned among food-lovers as a hidden gem in Manchester's Northern Quarter - is struggling to overcome money troubles.

Bosses at the vegetarian, Buddhist-run restaurant say the costs of their fresh, home-made cooking that first made them popular a decade ago, has meant they have operated at a loss for years.

The crippling economic climate now means it is crunch time for the owners and 14 staff who face losing their jobs from the restaurant which won `best vegetarian' in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards last year.

Manager Mokshapriya said: "We've struggled to make a profit for a long time. In fact, since opening in 1999 we've run at a loss for most of that time.

"Our cooking is very labour- intensive and the cost of the produce is high.

"We are now considering whether we can run something simpler, like a café without the hot food, or whether we just have to give up the ghost.

"Unfortunately that is looking a likely option."

Staff at the café, in the basement of the Buddhist centre on Turner Street, have been told and owners are in talks about its future.

The eatery has become a beloved hideaway popular for its healthy, ethically-sourced dishes prepared on the premises.

The menu, which also includes vegan dishes and various juices, changes according to which foods are in season and as much local produce is used as possible.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1090941__the_end_of_the_earth

Hopes for Earth cafe done differently

Posted by Sarah Hartley on January 16, 2009 06:03 PM

Could there really be a glimmer of hope that Earth won’t close after all?

The MEN is today reporting that bosses of the Northern Quarter café are looking at all options.

Since I revealed last week that the vegan and vegetarian café situated in the basement of the Buddhist Centre is due to shut at the end of February, I’ve spoken to many disappointed diners.

Today’s news report offers some other options to keep the venture going and that can only be welcomed.

I certainly hope they are fully explored and that the centre can be kept open in readiness of less cash-strapped times. In the meantime, please feel free to add your support via the comments below.

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/food/2009/01/hopes_for_earth_cafe_done_diff.html

markydeedrop

February 28th, 2009, 10:16 PM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/065.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/064.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/063.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/062.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/061.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/060.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202009/059.jpg

CDX

February 28th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Already posted in the restaurants thread, just to cc in here.

From the MEN blog Life through food:

Earth WILL re-open!
http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/food (http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/food/2009/02/earth_will_reopen.html)
Posted by Sarah Hartley on February 14, 2009 11:20 AM

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/food/earthcafe-thumb-thumb.jpg

News just in that Manchester's veggie and vegan cafe Earth will live on. Although it is still to close at the end of February (as I revealed on this blog last month) the Northern Quarter institution wil re-open at some date in the near future under new management.

I understand the new manager is experienced in catering for vegetarians and vegans having previosuly been involved with providing food at events such as retreats.

I hope to bring you further information very soon.

CDX

February 28th, 2009, 10:22 PM

From Crain's:

Northern Quarter 'quieter'
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
February 23, 2009
Leaseholds aren't attracting takers as established businesses worry about losing customers
By Simon Binns

The leaseholds of several bars and restaurants in Manchester's Northern Quarter have come onto the market, as some property agents speculate that custom from within its own neighbourhood is drying up.

The Manchester office of Christie & Co is marketing both Lammars Bar on Hilton Street and nearby Simple on Tib Street. Lammars has a 50-year lease, generates a turnover of around £650,000 a year and an annual rent of £72,000. The leasehold is available for £295,000. Simple generates an annual rent of £32,000. The leasehold for that bar is available for £119,000.

Bolton-based Kings Business Transfer is advertising the leasehold of Sweet Mandarin on Copperas Street for £180,000. TV21 on Thomas Street is still on the market, also with Kings, for £550,000 but has so far struggled to attract potential buyers.

Lisa Tse, the chief executive of Sweet Mandarin, is one of the city's higher profile businesswomen and picked up a trophy at the national Prowess Business Awards in June.

The restaurant turns over £8,000 a week, according to Kings, but Tse said the lease had been put on the market “speculatively” last year, although it may now be taken off as a sale had proved to be “not viable.”

“It was something we explored when we were looking at a couple of other possible projects, which we subsequently decided we weren't going to progress. So we're going to keep hold of Sweet Mandarin.

“The Northern Quarter is a little bit quieter than normal at the moment — the recession is having an effect on everybody. But we had a busy Valentine's Day, which is a good indication of whether people are willing to spend money on eating out or would rather stay in and cook.”

With the latter in mind, Tse said the firm was considering taking the vacant unit next door to the restaurant and turning it into a full-time cookery school following the initial Saturday morning classes that have been held at Sweet Mandarin since the summer.

Closures and openings

“The cookery school is expanding and it's something we definitely see as a viable business,” she said. “We think there is a good demand for it.”

Recent months have seen the closure of coffee shop chain Love Saves The Day, which had two outlets in the Northern Quarter. That has been balanced out, however, with the opening of a new bar, NoHo, in Stevenson Square, and the first evidence of multiples moving in with the opening of a Coffee Republic on Oldham Street.

Dan Davies, a retail and leisure agent at Tushingham Moore, said a lack of consistent lunchtime trade and the expense attached to opening a bar and restaurant made life difficult for Northern Quarter leisure operators.

“That part of the city has the highest failure rate for start-ups,” he said. “It's very busy at the weekend and some week evenings, but lunchtime trade is low,” he said.

“It costs around 50 per cent more to fit out a restaurant or bar than a retail unit. The Northern Quarter has low start-up rents but opening a restaurant there can easily cost £500,000, so they are starting with a high level of debt very early on.

“That does mean, however, that there are opportunities for other people in that sector to go in and pick up some property that is already fitted out.”

Davies said leisure demand was “buoyant” across Manchester and some should trickle through to the Northern Quarter, although mainstream multiples were unlikely to be accepted there.

“The Northern Quarter clientele see themselves as too discerning for that,” he said. “Businesses on the main drag of Thomas Street should still do well, but those on the fringes may be struggling for footfall.”

One large retailer which seems to have identified value in the Northern Quarter is Tesco. After an unsuccessful attempt to get planning permission for an Express store in the former Christopher Wray site on High Street, the food store giant has now submitted proposals for a ground floor unit just around the corner in The Light apartment complex on Church Street.

Andrew Timms, Edwards & Co, said the Northern Quarter needed a central hub to make it more attractive to commercial occupants.

“People seem to fall in and out of love very easily with the Northern Quarter and it mainly relies on trade from people who live on the doorstep, so if they aren't spending, I suppose local traders will feel it.

“As a destination, there aren't busloads of people coming in from all over Greater Manchester — but that's what preserves the character of the area and keeps it an interesting place where independents can set up. Nobody really wants to see the multiples in the Northern Quarter, but it's a difficult balance. Tesco may face some complaints, but they'll trade when they are in there.

“I think Argent's The Hive in Stevenson Square will make a difference — it will become a hub and create a focal point that the Northern Quarter currently lacks and might sustain more independents.

“There's good office activity in that area and some attractive character buildings, but it's tough for nearly every leisure operator at the moment. There's not much to go around.”

CDX

February 28th, 2009, 10:23 PM

After the posts on emerging creative/alternative clusters in the Central Salford thread thought this was quite an interesting feature from the Guardian:

Square of gold
http://www.guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/letsgetcreative/square-gold)

Soho's Golden Square in London is a hub of effervescent, energetic cultural activity. And it's setting a trend nationwide

If there is one place in the UK that seems to pack all the creative industries into one location, it is a little square in the middle of London's Soho. Including nine different creative industries, from art and advertising through publishing to radio and television. One notable exception is fashion, but there are plenty of fashionistas here. This microcosm attracts the coolest types - and forms London's beating creative heart.

Golden Square's intimacy makes it quite unlike New York's grandiose ad-land, centred around Madison Avenue. This residential square is where the poet William Blake was born. The thinkers and the dreamers are still here. Tiny companies on the way up rub shoulders with the big boys from Hollywood, and the nearby drinking houses of Soho - overflowing during the summer months - are where many a creative partnership is forged.

Artistic heritage

"There's a texture to a place, a character that isn't just about the economy or making money. Golden Square has a real buzz about it," says Moray MacLennan, president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), whose report last year, Creative Britian in Golden Square - Staying Ahead in the Creative Industries, threw the spotlight on the London square. MacLennan, chief executive of M&C Saatchi.

...

Regional developments

The idea of the creative cluster holds especially true for Soho, with its media savvy atmosphere and easy access to institutionslike the BBC, ITV and cutting-edge production houses.

But the lower overheads are outside London, and a number of creative hubs are also forming in other cities. Local development agencies see creative businesses as key to future business growth.

Regional agencies can be cheaper: and in a recession, that may well count. Manchester, with its indie-creative, music-led culture, is probably the best-known for creative centres. The IPA is planning a Creative Britain in Manchester event for the combined creative industries in September.

Scotland's creative sector is worth £332m a year to the Scottish economy. Edinburgh's Leith area is now a buzzing cosmopolitan place to be, with no less than three Michelin-starred restaurants. "It's sort of in the DNA," explains Mark Gorman, chair of the Scottish Marketing Association. "In the 1960s, you had one highly creative agency, called Hall's. That developed into a big family tree ... We're used to being lean and working hard: it's giving us a competitive edge."

Full Article Here... (http://www.guardian.co.uk/letsgetcreative/square-gold)

http://www.ipa.co.uk/Content/Creative-Britain-in-Golden-Square

CDX

February 28th, 2009, 10:25 PM

From citmagazine.com (http://www.citmagazine.com/news/886216/Finishing-Touch-launches-Manchester-office-20th-anniversary/):

Finishing Touch launches Manchester office on 20th anniversary
http://www.citmagazine.com/news (http://www.citmagazine.com/news/886216/Finishing-Touch-launches-Manchester-office-20th-anniversary/)
James Thornton, 27 February 2009

Northern office to be run by Carli Pollard

London Agency The Finishing Touch is launching a Manchester office next month on the day it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The office will be in Manchester's Northern Quarter and launches on 1 April.

It will be run by director Carli Pollard, backed by staff at the London office. According to Finishing Touch director (corporate events) Leigh Butterfield, more staff will be added before the end of 2009.

The Manchester decision was driven by a variety of reasons, Butterfield said. "We have a lot of public sector clients that either have bases in the area or are moving there," she explained. "There are also a lot of blue chip companies that prefer to work with people locally, there's slightly less competition and the government is investing a huge amount in the local infrastructure."

Finishing Touch is currently finalising an email marketing campaign plus a series of client evenings in Manchester to back the office launch.

Elsewhere, the agency has recruited account director Lisa Ryan from Skybridge, taking total staff numbers to 21. Ryan's brief is help Butterfield handle "overseas event delivery and boost the corporate division" of the business, she added. Ryan has 17 years event industry experience.

http://www.finishingtouchevents.co.uk

flange

March 1st, 2009, 11:06 PM

Posted in the Bars, Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants thread aswell but relates to this one thread aswell.

Marble moving in on Northern Quarter site

By Neil Sowerby

HOT on the heels of the Castle in Oldham Street, set to return from the dead, there’s another boost for Northern Quarter quaffers on the site of another vanished institution.

Love Saves The Day shut all its delis, including the cosy 57 Thomas Street branch, in October last year.

Now award-winning Marble Brewery is negotiating for the lease to add to the Marble Arch on Rochdale Road and the Marble Beerhouse in Chorlton.

The brewhouse, of course, is based in the ornate, trad Marble Arch pub, only a short schlepp (or should that be schlurp?) from Thomas Street.

But maybe for all those partisan NQ folk that’s a schlepp too far even in pursuit of the addictive Marble Ginger and all those other organic vegan ales. No news yet on what the new cafe bar might be called.

http://www.citylife.co.uk/pubs_and_bars/news/12605_marble_moving_in_on_northern_quarter_site

ThomH

March 3rd, 2009, 03:23 PM

London Agency The Finishing Touch is launching a Manchester office next month on the day it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The office will be in Manchester's Northern Quarter and launches on 1 April.

There are indeed; in fact they'll be squeezing into a rarely used corner of my office in Virginia House.

They (or at least she, the lovely Carli) will probably be in and up and running by the start of next week.

Guess we best tidy up a bit then...

CDX

March 15th, 2009, 06:07 AM

Nexus Art Cafe (http://www.nexusonline.org.uk/), bringing a part of Amsterdam to the NQ...though I seem to recall a no nudity/lewd conduct policy in their call out for artists :lol:

40 Days of Public Solitude
www.40days.info

40 days in which artists and members of the public spend time alone in an enclosed public space. Each day between 9:30 and 19:00 an artist or a member of public will be shut away in the glass fronted installation space. Within this space they will be given The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Bible (as in Desert Island Disks) some water and the option of a meal. They may also take three items into the space with them (excluding mobile phones, written material, computers, radios and all forms of music players). Participants will be encouraged to contribute to an exhibition in an adjoining space, which will be made up of an archive of the experiences. A webcam will broadcast a live feed to a designated website.

3rd March - 14th April

http://www.artlooker.com/gallery_images/b_20082201art1.jpg

TheGrand

March 15th, 2009, 12:59 PM

I love Nexus

dd528

March 17th, 2009, 12:29 AM

I love Nexus

Me too, but if I had a choice, that's not the bit of Amsterdam cafe culture I'd like to see brought to the Northern Quarter, if you know what I mean :colgate:

The Longford

March 18th, 2009, 06:53 PM

Proposal for Church St car park replacement

http://www.stephenson-bell.com/portfolio/church-street.html

http://www.stephenson-bell.com/images/portfolio/church-street/church-street-1.jpg

Cherguevara

March 18th, 2009, 06:58 PM

Now that I like.

Mez

March 18th, 2009, 07:13 PM

Hmm. I'm always wary of proposals with flat kooky designed wall. Makes it a lot easier to submit a re-design proposal with shite flat-panel fascia.

Also, there's nothing shown about its backside (Tuner/John st). For me, it's these little nooks and crannies that give the Northern Quarter its appeal. I hope it doesn't just become a services alleyway.
edit: I bet they use it for the carpark entrance/exit. >: (

Gavin

March 18th, 2009, 07:21 PM

Cherguevara

March 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Yes but it breaks the carpark up, restores the street grid and has the kind of overpriced pseudo-indoor-market-stall shops that today's pretentious young urban idiot like myself wants.

Gavin: NQ has a multistorey car park on this site and presumably it makes money for the council, so I suspect that there's no way they're building anything without one.

Gavin

March 18th, 2009, 07:27 PM

I like the reinstatement of the grid pattern, that's great. The Council need to look beyond making money from inappropriately located car parks and start to think about how best to help this area grow and develop. Car parking is not the answer to that.

I bet this proposal includes the number of spaces in the current car park plus all they can squeeze out of the current guidance for new spaces associated with the development. Tossers.

kids

March 18th, 2009, 07:36 PM

Does the adjacent MBLA scheme face the corner like this? Can't remember.

http://www.stephenson-bell.com/images/portfolio/church-street/church-street-1.jpg

This all reminds me of Liverpool 1.

butterfingers22

March 18th, 2009, 07:38 PM

So it's a market in the shopping bit, I do hope so, It'd be awful if it was chain stores, there's enough of them a few hundred metres away.

Chogmook

March 18th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Hmm, the NCP element could be a bit more quirky - should commission an independant artist to design the car park exterior.

As for the base, hoping the quality comes through here.

The Longford

March 18th, 2009, 08:39 PM

Shouldn't expend too much energy yacking about this - its not going to happen.

rolybling

March 18th, 2009, 08:53 PM

why's that?

spoonsbeatfish

March 19th, 2009, 12:10 AM

Loving the way the picture shows people wandering around on the roads with no cars in sight and yet they are building the biggest possible generator of vehicular traffic. A multistory car park.

Don't like what's there now but don't like this either. Northern Quarter doesn't need a multistory car park so don't build one.

Wasn't the idea to semi pedestrianise that road (Tib Street) so that outdoor markets could occur there? If that was the idea it would explain the people and I disagree with the comment on the car park. People will always travel into town by car more so when they actually go shopping which is the prime offer of the N4. A multistorey in the middle of the area will make it easier for people to visit and will encourage passing trade from car drivers visiting the Arndale and the rest of town.

Cherguevara

March 19th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Shouldn't expend too much energy yacking about this - its not going to happen.

If we took that to its logical conclusion we wouldn't be talking about anything at the moment.

Presumably the car park can't stay there forever and when the eventual economic recovery comes the council will be keen to get it shifted, in which case the SB proposal is indicative of that which may eventually be proposed.

Whew, pointless discussion saved.

markydeedrop

March 24th, 2009, 09:04 PM

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000952.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000953.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000954.jpg

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http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000958.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000959.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000962.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/city%20centre%202009/P1000964.jpg

ThomH

April 24th, 2009, 05:08 PM

A few quick Friday afternoon questions regarding small-scale stuff in the Northern Quarter that has recently piqued my curiosity:

1) What's happening on the site next to the Kebabbish curry house on Hilton Street (at the Fourways House end)? The little L-shape of existing buildings on the block are all original weavers cottages and were restored a few years ago. The site being worked on isn't massive but it used to just be a carpark with walls around it and now the whole area has been cleared and fenced with ongoing activity.

2) What's the plan for the "flat iron" building on Newton St (I forget the real name)? I know it's not much architecturally but I've always had a soft spot for it and I just like the unusual footprint of the site. Previously home to Corribest (or something) Trouser-makers it seems to have been stripped back to the brick and sand-blasted inside for years though now the windows are finally going in.

3) Any news RE the warehouses on Lever St/Dale St which burnt down? Anything coming up in place of those that were demolished? Are the surviving one's in use again or just mothballed as part of a greater masterplan for the site? I loved the completeness of the Victorian street-scapes around there and it saddens me every day when I see that gaping gap.

Cheers

Thom

Architecty

April 24th, 2009, 06:59 PM

1) What's happening on the site next to the Kebabbish curry house on Hilton Street (at the Fourways House end)? The little L-shape of existing buildings on the block are all original weavers cottages and were restored a few years ago. The site being worked on isn't massive but it used to just be a carpark with walls around it and now the whole area has been cleared and fenced with ongoing activity.

I'd been meaning to look this up myself, looks quite good, nice and simple.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?085775-DPP-0005.pdf

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/dcapplication/application_detailview.aspx?KEYVAL=JVV9PDBC01W00&module=P3&hidereturn=true

dgnr8

April 24th, 2009, 09:14 PM

Does the adjacent MBLA scheme face the corner like this? Can't remember.

http://www.stephenson-bell.com/images/portfolio/church-street/church-street-1.jpg

This all reminds me of Liverpool 1.

This reminds me of Leeds Shopping Plaza. The far end of this pic is almost identical to the NQ proposal.

http://www.leodis.org/imagesLeodis/screen/43/10243.jpg

And it is fucking grim. I'll try and grab a pic next time I'm up Leeds way. A building of that bulk and offering something that appears almost identical to LSP is not something I personally want tarnishing our fine Northern Quarter.

heatonparkincakes

April 25th, 2009, 12:44 AM

spoonsbeatfish

April 25th, 2009, 01:27 AM

Good grief I will thank the devil of capitalism is this recession kills this off.

Really awful and that NCP sign might as well be the hammer and sickle or an ad for "West" cigarettes as it looks so oppressive and corporate.

Gavin is right here. Ill placed car parks need moving. On one hand the c charge and the other doubling car park sizes. Erm...............

Either you take the NQ seriously and use the local council's powers to stimulate this into a real "bohemian" artistic creative area or you act so last century and allow the free market to mould it into another deansgate locks.

Mines a starbucks and a tesco sarnie

The car park has gone up by around 50 spaces, that's an increase of less than 10%, hardly doubling. Public transport is all well and good but there needs to be some car parks especially until the system is improved radically (and by that I mean a lot more than the TIF works); otherwise removing car parks will simply dis insensitive people to visit an area and leave it at a disadvantage in relation to other areas of the city.

The particular facade maybe not so good, and after visiting Leeds a week ago completely agree with dgnr8 that the shopping plaza is not what we want in the N4. The idea of the scheme though I very much like, (unless it gets sold out in the end for easy money). It provides another marketplace next door to Afflecks, improving the offer and attraction of the N4, it animates Tib Street land the area between the Arndale and the N4 more linking it better into the busier areas of town. With the movement of the car park entrances it allows for the semi-pedestrianisation of Tib Street allowing for outdoor markets and such like. It provides another hotel in the centre of the area providing more footfall and with the offices creates more jobs (with the office jobs being in the artistic sectors.

The small amount of public realm although not clear from those few pictures should also be better than the little scraps there are currently around the building which are fairly unusable. I've never been to the Arts and Craft Centre but do people think its move there will A. Happen? B. Fit well? C. Be popular?

Although tag graffiti (the stupid symbols and names found on train lines, abandoned buildings etc i.e. general vandalism) I hate, the Northern Quarter has some great graffiti art. Maybe for part of the facade, a graffiti competition could be done, bring out some of the best talent, like a giant mural of different arts. Done in the right way, it could be fairly cheap (relying on locals enthusiasm), be quite original and look pretty good. After all if something looks shit it can always be painted over again.

heatonparkincakes

April 25th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Ah I wont - like the recent conductors on trams discussion - spread this NCP carpark in the NQ any further.

Different opinions. And as Longy says it probably wont happen.

On a curious side note isnt that carpark plonked right on top of an old church. It would be grimly interesting what will be revealed, when they re-build it.

But, aside from the nag that street art shouldnt collaborate with the Man, spoonie this is a great idea, that would distinguish the NQ from Vanilla Market Street.

"Although tag graffiti (the stupid symbols and names found on train lines, abandoned buildings etc i.e. general vandalism) the Northern Quarter has some great graffiti art. Maybe for part of the facade, a graffiti competition could be done, bring out some of the best talent, like a giant mural of different arts. Done in the right way, it could be fairly cheap (relying on locals enthusiasm), be quite original and look pretty good. After all if something looks shit it can always be painted over again."

The Longford

April 25th, 2009, 11:48 PM

On a curious side note isnt that carpark plonked right on top of an old church. It would be grimly interesting what will be revealed, when they re-build it.

The church of capitalism maybe?
Dirty great ugly warehouse there as far as i know - could have been a church there before hand though (name of the street sort of gives it away a bit dunnit?)

http://www.images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=7484

kids

April 26th, 2009, 12:08 AM

dd528

April 28th, 2009, 10:50 PM

CDX

July 4th, 2009, 08:05 PM

From Crains:
Northern Quarter bucks gloom
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
June 22, 2009
By Simon Binns

http://i40.tinypic.com/2rftt8y.jpg

Manchester-based GP Investments has released plans for a new £2.5m development opposite its headquarters in the Northern Quarter.

The company, owned by Abdalhaq and Iftikhar Gillan, is building 11 new office units and creating a new public realm area called Hilton Square around Port Street, Tariff Street and Brewer Street.

Manchester-based architects Q2 have designed the building, which has an internal courtyard, full glass frontages and a front door for each of the offices.

The office units will range from 1,350 sq ft to 2,700 sq ft and are being built to be Disability Discrimination Act compliant with hardwood flooring, suspended designer lighting and access to the rear private courtyard. Its BREAM rating is “very good”.

Aimed at the creative, fashion and media industries, the new offices will be available on flexible leases and will be completed in August.

The joint lettings agencies are Daniel Harris & Co and King Sturge.

Debbie Maughan, landlady of the Crown & Anchor pub on Hilton Street said: “I think it will be good for the area. There are shops over the road from us that have got tenants in now and I'd say any new business is good news.”

The Northern Quarter has become popular for modestly-sized office developments in recent months. Manchester-based developer BrookFinch recently completed the Margolis Building on the corner of Kelvin Street and Turner Street, which offers 16 office units targeted at the creative sectors, and Argent is building The Hive in nearby Stevenson Square, where the Arts Council starts fitting out its 20,000 sq ft in September.

James Nicholson, project manager for Argent on The Hive, said: “Grade A office schemes shouldn't just be reserved for corporate occupiers or restricted to the traditional business districts, so it's encouraging to see modern buildings being targeted at the creative sector.

“Some big companies are looking to scale down too, so they could do worse than look in the Northern Quarter. Average rent is around £20 a sq ft and service charges of £250 are a good deal in this market.”

Bluegate74

July 4th, 2009, 08:17 PM

Lokks bloody awful, like some parade of shops they flung up in the late 50's early 60's on high streets and housing estates across the land. Flat roof anyone?

heatonparkincakes

July 6th, 2009, 12:33 AM

That Flat Iron building, is according to my uncle a one time base of some indie base for the buzzcocks.

Now as for that retail building, its functional and ugly in a 60s manner.

CDX

July 6th, 2009, 09:50 AM

2) What's the plan for the "flat iron" building on Newton St (I forget the real name)? I know it's not much architecturally but I've always had a soft spot for it and I just like the unusual footprint of the site. Previously home to Corribest (or something) Trouser-makers it seems to have been stripped back to the brick and sand-blasted inside for years though now the windows are finally going in.

Seems a planning app went in last year, conversion to offices on the upper floors & 3 retail units on the ground floor/basement, only recently been validated though.

Planning App (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=K0FWHZBC00700&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3)
Associated Docs (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?086601%2fFO%2f2008%2fC2)
Application Details

Application Reference: 086601/FO/2008/C2

Address of Proposal: Bradley House, 33 Dale Street, Manchester. M1 2HE

Proposal: Change of use to offices (Use Class B1) on the first to fourth floors and retail (Use Class A1) at ground and basement floors including the refurbishment of the building and the provision of disabled access

Type of Application: Full Application Consent

Status: Application Pending Consideration

Date Application Received: 28/04/2008
Date Application Validated: 28/05/2009
Target Determination Date: 23/07/2009

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3395266585_130aea3712.jpg?v=1238352724
From Flickr: Bradley House - Frankie Roberto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankieroberto/3395266585/)

CDX

August 25th, 2009, 04:22 AM

^^Approved.

From Crains:
City building to get £1m wi-fi facelift
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
August 17, 2009

Northern Quarter Grade II listed property will have one gigabyte per second wireless internet built in

http://i29.tinypic.com/2ch15jt.jpg

A Grade II listed building in Manchester's Northern Quarter, damaged by smoke and water during a fire two years ago, is about to undergo a £1m facelift to make it the first building in the city with one gigabyte per second wireless internet built in.

Owner Stevenson Estates hopes that its revamp of 24 Lever Street will appeal to media and design companies which need to send and receive large files of data but want to trade from the city's digital and creative hub.

Cheadle Hulme-based telecoms provider, Network M, is managing the technological aspects of the refurbishment on behalf of Metronet UK Ltd, the Manchester Science Park-based network provider.

Network M's managing director Mike Donovan said firms needing to upgrade their internet bandwidth usually have to install new equipment to give them extra capacity. At 24 Lever Street, tenants will have immediate, temporary access to more bandwidth if they need it to send large files, while permanent increases can be organised almost immediately, avoiding costly new equipment.

A connection speed of one gigabyte per second is up to 250 times faster than the average household broadband speed of 4.1 megabytes per second, meaning large files can be transferred quickly and easily.

Donovan said: “The investment we've made in network connectivity means 24 Lever Street is tapped into the UK's most advanced internet service capability. Media companies that depend on reliable connectivity to upload massive data files simply can't get a better service.”

Atul Bansal, of the Cheetham Hill-based Sheila Bird Group, is acting as designer and project manager and has a vision of Lever Street being a building for young, fast moving companies whose businesses depend on the transfer of information.

He said: “I was asked a year ago by the owners to come up with a way of breathing life back into the building. I have always had a desire to do this and combine design and technology because it gives people freedom. Very often businesses are restrained in what they can do by the facilities around them.”

Edwards & Co is acting as the letting agents and the first tenant is expected to move in before Christmas, with heads of terms already signed. A design company is interested in the ground floor and potential tenants have also looked at the first floor.

“All of the companies that are looking at the building are involved in the media and design and they are young companies. It's about people who aren't afraid of technology — that's the key to this building,” added Bansal.

Matt Smith, managing director of video production company Daylight Moving Image Ltd, based on nearby Tib Street, said about 90 per cent of his work goes online. He is enthusiastic about the project and the impact it could have for firms with large files to transfer.

“The faster the speed the better for us and clients,” he said. It will generate more work and make it easier for end users to watch and for us to upload. If we were in a position to be looking to move it would certainly appeal.”

Smith said the Northern Quarter's culture and its community of like-minded people meant it had remained attractive to creative companies despite the lure of Media City UK.

Hubert_M1

August 25th, 2009, 11:27 AM

^^Approved.

From Crains:

A lot of technical nonsense there, there might be a 1 gigabit/sec fibre link put in but that is 1/8th of 1 gigabyte/sec and that speed certainly won't be available wirelessly within the building.

Also, while the link to Metronet may be 1 gbit/sec I highly doubt they have anywhere near this much bandwidth actually going to their peering partners / the internet

Sorry, geek rant over

auntie_biotic

August 26th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Wow!!!!! I live in hulme Manchester and have just set up forum BEST IN HULME (http://knowingabout.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl) but reading on this thread about Northen Quarter makes me jealous. Never been but will have to pay it a visit. Hulme is quite a vibrant area but the new buildings are terrible. I just hope that future developments improve. I hope the new Manchester Metropolitan university campus to be built in the area lasts the test of time.

uklad1979

August 26th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Shameless plus alert^^^^
I do agree Hulme has some crap buildings and some of first built appartments need a tidy up and paint job they are a mess. But it all looks better than it did years ago.
The NQ is overrated imho it has some quirkyness but lots of it is shitholes, dirty streets, porn shops/brothels/gay saunas, twatty bars and cunty residents with double standards (see tesco on high street and Holiday Inn Express for examples).

auntie_biotic

August 27th, 2009, 12:19 AM

ahmmm! I think I might postpone my visit for a bit!
I think the Northern Quarter should have been included in the joke about the manchester olympic bid!

http://knowingabout.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1249337084

Bossyboots

September 1st, 2009, 10:13 PM

Speaking as a cunty n4 resident I can tell you that we havent got double standards. Tescos have been refused planning permission and have appealed to the sec of state (again as they did at 23 church street).

The co-op were allowed in as they talked to residents about how to blend in with the N4 and also on how to deal with complaints etc. tesco ignored us.

Most residents in the n4 are renters who really dont give a toss what shop moves into what building so theres a lot of apathy there too. Theres only so many battles you can fight when your in the minority (speaking as an owner).

CDX

September 1st, 2009, 10:21 PM

Tescos have been refused planning permission and have appealed to the sec of state (again as they did at 23 church street).

I thought that was approved:
http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KC4DZABC01W00

Or was it the licensing/air con app that was refused???

Bossyboots

September 1st, 2009, 10:24 PM

uklad1979

September 1st, 2009, 10:36 PM

I hope it gets through. You allow a Co-op which is just Tesco with a diffrent name. It's snobbery that's stopping Tesco's opening, once it's open all the moaners will still shop in it.

CDX

September 1st, 2009, 11:01 PM

I think its licensing but I shall be objecting for the same reasons that i did initially along with all the other residents who initally objected. Theres no way they would have a tesco without booze we hope.

Surely the licensing would go to appeal on a local level first?

As you say there would be nothing to stop Tesco's opening up with no alcohol sales if they were so inclined...

Edit: Looking into it licensing appeals go through a local Magistrates Court.

September 2nd, 2009, 09:37 AM

uklad1979

September 2nd, 2009, 08:55 PM

No I wouldn't. They provide jobs and they provide a service people use. I have never seen one close down due to under use but I could be wrong. Also I would love to know what is ok about the Co-Op opening but not Tesco? I used to work in retail (about 10 yrs ago) and at the time Tesco paid a better wage to staff, gave staff shares, were cheaper for customers. Something must have changed I would love to know why they are now worse.

rolybling

September 2nd, 2009, 08:59 PM

They haven't got worse uklad, people just don't like that they seem to be opening on every street corner, unless it's someone elses corner then they don't mind, and if they had shares they'd care even less, it's called jumping on the bandwagon.

Potato Man

September 2nd, 2009, 09:26 PM

I have never seen one close down due to under use but I could be wrong.

I know of one example of this. A few year back Tesco Metro opened on Humberstone Gate in Leicester city centre. The store was only a few seconds walk from the mighty Leicester Market and closed down due to poor trading figures after a fairly short period of time.

uklad1979

September 2nd, 2009, 11:27 PM

I know of one example of this. A few year back Tesco Metro opened on Humberstone Gate in Leicester city centre. The store was only a few seconds walk from the mighty Leicester Market and closed down due to poor trading figures after a fairly short period of time.

That's not too bad even if 23 had closed down it would only be 1% of stores. That seems to show that even after a small number trying to stop opening once they are open the majority choose to use them. I don't mind the Tesco Express stores they are the modern corner shop with local staff that you get to know while keeping the prices low which helps familys and cuts down on road miles.

tomegranate

September 3rd, 2009, 03:23 PM

You allow a Co-op which is just Tesco with a diffrent name.

Er, no. The Co-Op is not just another supermarket, especially when you're talking about stores in Manchester. There are many significant differences between it and Tesco, not least of which is local pride in a Manchester organisation. Though of course if all you're interested in is prices and convenience, then local pride, and the other qualities of the Co-Op, won't mean anything to you.

CDX

September 5th, 2009, 12:47 AM

Tesco sneaking the last bits through now...using an agent so no applicant details...sneaky ;)
090987/FO/2009/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KO032KBC01W00&searchtype=WEEKLY)
12 - 16 Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PN
Installation of an ATM on the Church Street elevation of the building with associated lighting and security camera

The ATM got their last app thrown out(that & the aircon), ugly cashpoint, not in keeping with the surrounding area :nono:

uklad1979

September 5th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Tesco sneaking the last bits through now...using an agent so no applicant details...sneaky ;)

The ATM got their last app thrown out(that & the aircon), ugly cashpoint, not in keeping with the surrounding area :nono:

Strange the spar next to the Crowne Plaza got to have a Cash Machine but people would object to Tesco having one. One in this new Tescos will be handy since HSBC closed around the corner.

CDX

September 5th, 2009, 08:18 PM

http://i30.tinypic.com/1zezghl.jpg (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KO032KBC01W00&searchtype=WEEKLY)
:eek:

Savage Henry

September 5th, 2009, 11:30 PM

Can we please please please not call it 'N4'?

Dreadful

CDX

September 5th, 2009, 11:35 PM

N¼? ;)

sheffguy86

September 7th, 2009, 03:55 PM

This is probably going to annoy some people posting on this thread, but does anyone know when Tesco's is opening on Church Street? I have absolutely no objections to it as its going to be a really handy addition to the neighbourhood, especially as it will be nowhere near as expensive as Co-op and open later than the local stores.

uklad1979

September 7th, 2009, 06:13 PM

sheffguy86

September 8th, 2009, 01:34 AM

Just read previous posts in this thread, and thought before anyone accuses my partner and I of being "renters who don't care who moves into the area", we actually own our property, and live 2 minutes walk or less from the (hopefully) soon to be opened Tesco on Church Street.

One of the main reasons we didn't complain is that it will be open late, and as we both work long hours, it will be very convenient. To add fuel to the fire regarding local stalls and small businesses, we hardly ever purchase anything from the ones that might be affected, mainly due to the over inflated prices they try to charge for inferior product.

I truly believe that if all the residents complaining about the opening of Tesco on Church Street carry on shopping the way they do now, i.e. using local stalls and businesses, then these places will continue to flourish. However I've got a feeling these 'not in my back yard' people will be crossing the palms of Tesco with sterling quicker than you can say "ugly air conditioning unit".

(Sorry for my two pennies worth, but this subject has been bugging me for ages, especially when I get a "Stop Tesco" leaflet shoved through my letter box, I mean, how un-ecologically friendly is that?)

jrb

September 20th, 2009, 01:12 AM

I wish I could be bothered going to these kind of events. Problem is, I'm stuck on SSC 24/7.

PS. Next door has just come in. Time to put the fingers in the ears, if you know what I mean. (grunt, groan, moan)

How Do.

MadLab hackspace opening soon, everyone's invited friend

Friday, 18 September 2009

Manchester is on the cusp of gettings its very own 'hackspace' - a destination where those with creative aspirations, qualifications or just ambitions can get together, create and be inspired by each others ideas.

The MadLab - a name taken from a decade old event that was first introduced at the Edinburgh International Science Festival - will be housed at a currently vacant weaver's cottage situated on Edge Street in the Northern Quarter (opposite Common, for the sake of all you trendy imbibers out there. Ed).

Spanning out over three floors and 3,000 sq ft, the space is will be host to a wide variety of events including exhibitions, workshops and invited speakers with, we are led to believe, a slight lean towards the world of software and computing technology (although everything from food to art to writing will be gleefully thrown into the mix).

One of team behind MadLab, filmmaker Rachael Turner, told How-Do that her and fellow founders (Asa Calow, Hwa Young Jung and Dave Mee) have been inspired to set up the community space simply because "there's just no where like it in Manchester for creating and inventing stuff."

After being knocked out by the discovery of the cottage - now rented for the next three years - the four applied for funding from the government's new £20m Learning Revolution Transformation Fund (to promote informal learning for adults and young people) and, Turner told us, have just found out that that application was successful.

Now, backed by supporters that include the Manchester Digital Development Agency and MMU, MadLab is aiming to officially launch on 24 October with a 'Robot Hack Day & Footballing Robots' event'.

This free to attend get together will invite youngsters and adults to bring in their 'old junk' and toys to the lab and "learn how to circuitbend, overclock and turbocharge old electronic devices, and how to build them up into new, customised robots."

After that you can "make your own robo-footballer and play it in a team tournament with other robo-footballers."

Now, you have to admit, that sounds intriguing.

MadLab will be taking shape over the coming months and the team is hoping that the creative and digital communities will play an active part in steering that evolution.

There's no dedicated web page as yet (just a holding page that Turner would rather we didn't direct you to) so check out what it's all about on Twitter by keeping tabs on #madlabuk

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/madlab-hackspace-opening-soon%2c-everyone's-invited-200909186374/

GShutty

September 21st, 2009, 12:23 PM

Back Turner St.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00413.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00409.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00410.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00415.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00416.jpg

GShutty

September 21st, 2009, 12:24 PM

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00412.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00414.jpg

markydeedrop

October 18th, 2009, 10:33 AM

http://i34.tinypic.com/2e5rz85.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/723e6u.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2r23iw9.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2nreqoj.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/jkkns9.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/2u4tqpk.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/27x6xe.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/2hs9fyg.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/8xvm95.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/16krl9h.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/dob6lc.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2ihl848.jpg

chameleontel

October 18th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Excellent pics.

rolybling

October 18th, 2009, 11:45 AM

great stuff marky, you've captured the feel of the NQ nicely

uklad1979

October 18th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Great pictures as always Marrky. I noticed yesterday that the Tesco Express fit out is now in full swing so the nimby's didn't get the store stopped.

BlackFriars

October 18th, 2009, 12:45 PM

but does anyone know when Tesco's is opening on Church Street? .

Another one? They'l not stop til they have one on every street.

spoonsbeatfish

October 18th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Yeah well done Mark!

luvthecity

October 18th, 2009, 02:25 PM

Tesco ALWAYS get a rough ride when it attempts to infiltrate urban areas with a high number of small independent retailers.

Have a look at how Liverpool reacted to the opening of Tesco on Bold Street...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yods1fYMq8

The faces of the Tesco cashiers are a picture!!!

:lol::lol::lol:

GShutty

November 30th, 2009, 11:59 PM

Thomas St eye-sore getting a make-over: Between 'Cup of Tea' & the Mill-Stone, opposite High St multi-storey. It's more advance in the week since this was taken, with single panel glass windows. A good tidying up job:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00701.jpg

Between Lamaars, Jackson's Warehouse and Cuba Cafe:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00707.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00706.jpg

The Hive, large glazed front and rear units and potentially very exciting Arcade (which I failed to capture, but can be peeked at):

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00705.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/DSC00702.jpg

jrb

February 5th, 2010, 09:58 PM

Crains.

Mallon to launch Branded clothing hub

By Simon Binns

Manchester-based fashion retailer David Mallon, who owns the Ringspun and Elvis Jesus clothing brands, is set to open a 60,000 sq ft showroom in Manchester's Northern Quarter, according to a report in trade title Drapers.

The seven-floor trading space in a converted warehouse, called Branded, will feature a permanent catwalk in the basement as well as sales space for rent at £15 per sq ft, targeted at other fashion labels in the North. It is expected to open in late March.

The building will also feature a photography studio and meeting spaces.

flange

February 5th, 2010, 10:34 PM

Poasted the article from Drapers about Branded in the Retail in Greater Manchester thread before here it is.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=51368517&postcount=4007

Website for Branded is here

http://www.brandedmcr.com

BiggerisBetter

February 7th, 2010, 12:08 PM

UKlad - he has a right (as a resident) to appeal any planning application that might affect his quality of life.

It's all very well to critcise but I would appeal if a bloody tesco wanted to open up next door to me. Wouldn't you?

You cannot oppose a planning application based on who the operator of a development would be, and rightfully so. The Planning system (providing the stores have the same turnover) views all foodstore operators (whther it be Tesco, the Co-Op, Booths or Lidl) as virtually the same.

BiggerisBetter

February 7th, 2010, 12:12 PM

UKlad - he has a right (as a resident) to appeal any planning application that might affect his quality of life.

It's all very well to critcise but I would appeal if a bloody tesco wanted to open up next door to me. Wouldn't you?

Oh and incorrect, a resident doesn't have a right to appeal. They have a right to object. The comments made can then be disregarded by the Local Planning Authority and the Application approved. The only option a resident then has is to apply for judicial review which doesn't assess the merits of a Plannig Application, only whether the correct procedures have been followed by the Local Planning Authority i.e. whether they took the comments into account not whether they agreed with them. Only the Applicants have a right to appeal against a refusal.

The Conservaties (with their NIBMY heartlands) are proposing introducing a third party right of appeal although this would be VERY difficult to acheive (although in an ideal world would be positive) without causing massive delays to the planning system.

legin10

February 15th, 2010, 09:33 PM

The new NQ office block complete - it already has RED ALERT as a tenant

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/nigelsgolden/DSCN1016.jpg

PeteVincent82

February 15th, 2010, 09:46 PM

that road looks a right mess

Seasonedbest

February 15th, 2010, 10:01 PM

I say strip the tarmac and shine up those underlying stones. Build looks alright. This area should look awesome in the next 10 years, especially if they clean up Stevenson Square. There's so much potential whilst still keeping its character.

markydeedrop

February 20th, 2010, 09:45 PM

http://i48.tinypic.com/2r5f4w4.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/fnqmo3.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/jjmexi.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/xx7xt.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/16b0oqr.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/2i9ilz.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/289apn8.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/qq69aq.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/2mq4846.jpg

TheGrand

February 21st, 2010, 12:43 AM

http://i46.tinypic.com/jjmexi.jpg

The best record shop in the world.....FACT

heatonparkincakes

February 21st, 2010, 12:57 AM

I thought Selectadisc in Nottingham was until it closed last year.

There is only apparently (according to the BBC help me kids I am sourcing them again) in the UK.

As for the pictures, they are excellent again.

legin10

February 28th, 2010, 04:03 PM

new market on church st

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/nigelsgolden/DSCN1018.jpg

markydeedrop

February 28th, 2010, 05:06 PM

A big improvement

dd528

February 28th, 2010, 11:46 PM

Any word yet on which of the old stall-holders will be returning after the renovation is done?

I was reading this (http://www.recordshopcity.co.uk/?p=1313) which suggests that there's a doubt about Church Street Records returning, and I know that some of the businesses were concerned about the short length of the contracts they were being offered if they were to move back in.

Jongeman

March 1st, 2010, 01:22 AM

I say strip the tarmac and shine up those underlying stones.

Now there's a thought. Where I live (in a long redbrick terraced st) the council took up the whole road last year to reveal the most beautiful set of cobbles - before pouring hot bitumen all over them again!

Seasonedbest

March 1st, 2010, 02:00 AM

Now there's a thought. Where I live (in a long redbrick terraced st) the council took up the whole road last year to reveal the most beautiful set of cobbles - before pouring hot bitumen all over them again!

Its true, I know its not feasible to have them in many areas, but when you consider that councils spend hundreds of thousands on speed humps and coloured asphalt, diverting straight roads, creating chicanes inadvertently creating a racetrack, when they could have some nice shiny stones. They are already there.

On another note, does anyone know what the store is on Thomas Street that looks due to open? Its just up from teacup. I think I might have missed something some pages back.

ThomH

March 1st, 2010, 11:56 AM

Its true, I know its not feasible to have them in many areas, but when you consider that councils spend hundreds of thousands on speed humps and coloured asphalt, diverting straight roads, creating chicanes inadvertently creating a racetrack, when they could have some nice shiny stones. They are already there.

On another note, does anyone know what the store is on Thomas Street that looks due to open? Its just up from teacup. I think I might have missed something some pages back.

Yeah, I agree, it just suits the area, and it's no suprise that comparable areas of New York and Dublin (both of which the N4 occasionally reminds me of) have gone cobbles-a-go-go to no ill effect.

And I think the new store will be Oi Polloi, who are moving from their characterful but cramped shop around the corner on Tib Street (though the latter will remain open for a period, possibly as a sale store).

Cheers

Thom

pipkin

March 1st, 2010, 12:57 PM

Isn't the unit next to Teacup supposed to be a restaurant, called something like 'Thomas St' or something? Maybe I'm getting confused, there seems to be a lot of activity on that strip right now...

ThomH

March 1st, 2010, 01:28 PM

Isn't the unit next to Teacup supposed to be a restaurant, called something like 'Thomas St' or something? Maybe I'm getting confused, there seems to be a lot of activity on that strip right now...

Depends how you define "up from Teacup"! The store, just up from Teacup on the corner next to the Millstone (ie facing the Old Post Office) is, I think, going to be Oi Polloi.

There is a site almost next door to Teacup (where Black Sheep used to be) which is going to be a restaurant called The Thomas (or similar) and is run by Nicky, Paul and Yvonne from Cord/Soup Kitchen/Bay Horse et al (PR on Man Con today).

The smaller ex-LSTD site on the other side of Teacup is going to be a bar by the Marble Arch people (how they're going to make that tiny site work I just don't know...).

Hurrah for Thomas Street, good to see the throughfare at the heart of the Northern Quarter booming, at least compared to King Street...

Manc Guy

March 1st, 2010, 01:46 PM

new market on church st

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/nigelsgolden/DSCN1018.jpg

What a shame. The old units had so much character :(

nerd

March 1st, 2010, 01:59 PM

What a shame. The old units had so much character :(

don't agree

I think the new units work better with the fine 60s office block behind.

I am also assuming that they intend to concentrate all the Church Street stalls in this section (i.e. including the veg/fruit stalls formerly straggling along the side of the car park.

heatonparkincakes

March 2nd, 2010, 08:40 PM

Oh forgot to post this. Another view of the new markets.

Nerd that concrete turd (my humble and not abrasive opinion) is one of the severe ugly spots of the city.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4376200721_2565d6e3a2_b.jpg

heatonparkincakes

March 2nd, 2010, 08:46 PM

heatonparkincakes

March 2nd, 2010, 08:56 PM

Another view of the Markets.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4402064628_59c93b621a.jpg

kids

March 2nd, 2010, 09:12 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2473686887_4bda079d15_b.jpg

Look at those horrible street markings.

Church street has been very easy to cross recently, probably due to the tram works stopping the third stream turning right from high street and it's been nice. I think this as a more residential street with wider pavements, some trees and a couple of lanes of traffic, despite its width could actually work and maybe that would also help set a precedent for the rest of the NQ. It seems to be one of those roads that people drift onto anyway.

ThomH

March 3rd, 2010, 04:48 PM

Thom H the Marble Arch people.

Excellent it's been much rumoured that the ginger marble would be emerging in the NQ.

This is good news.

Aside from that Thom. Whats the fall out from the Urbis closure.

Sorry Heaton, I missed this earlier - It is great news about the Marble (though only one person at a time will have room to drink a pint) and as for Urbis I'm not sure (and probably not best placed to comment) but in what respect do you mean?

I think here, MEN, Man Con etc have probably absorbed most of the fall-out and venting already.

Cheers

Thom

heatonparkincakes

March 3rd, 2010, 10:41 PM

Indeed I apologize, I shouldnt have asked you on here,

The Marble surely will have extend backwards into that property unless its some surreal Manco-Toyko experience.

coughy

March 4th, 2010, 08:29 PM

Splurb

March 4th, 2010, 10:08 PM

Got a letter posted through my letterbox the other day concerning a development at 56-58 Dale Street, saying there is going to be a public exhibition on Thurs 11th March through to Saturday 13th March 12 - 8pm at that address. Can anyone go or does anyone know about this or even what building it is? Funny thing is I live in Ancoats - quite a distance from the development, unless of course they are proposing the most humungas tower that is going to overshadow us - na fat chance!

A bit of googling turned up something: http://www.makinarchitecture.com/file_upload/press_release/1213806896Planning%20go-ahead%20for%20a%20real%20gem.pdf Is there anything more recent planned for the site than this, from 2008?

Also found this pdf which mentions the site, as well as the 'Adelphi Square Master Plan' - anyone know any more about it? http://www.makinarchitecture.com/file_upload/news/1226321167MakinNews_Nov08.pdf

markydeedrop

March 6th, 2010, 09:12 PM

http://i48.tinypic.com/16b0cxs.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/30a55iw.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/ok4qs4.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2ywgu15.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2d0xdnd.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/15f65w8.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/11aagj7.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/10796ic.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2qclfe0.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/350nsr9.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/15pq3cn.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/eki0s1.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/33o65bc.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2ry56z4.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/243ruiu.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/34qo0v7.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/96gi1i.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/v6orpc.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/dw6h5j.jpg

dd528

March 7th, 2010, 12:16 AM

Had a chat with some of the builders working on the Church Street markets. They had been told that Church St Records won't be returning. The hat/scarf shop is back open already. There's gonna be the greengrocers and bookshop as well, according to them. Not sure what the other (2?) units are.

EDIT: I see there's far more info and pics already posted in the Retail thread...

uklad1979

March 7th, 2010, 12:28 PM

I think the record place had been closed for a long time.

markydeedrop

April 3rd, 2010, 06:55 PM

http://i40.tinypic.com/27wt6rm.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2nasaco.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/sux4w9.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2v13wxd.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/20a6mx5.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/juh3rk.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/xdf6sl.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/vpazxv.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/106c9qe.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/14w9kwp.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/21cb9df.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/1zc1uea.jpg

GShutty

May 7th, 2010, 05:38 PM

It didn't get a great reception, but it seems as though all but two units have been let and presumably to small businesses. Has a bit of a Knott Mill feel to it:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/Picture374.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/Picture375.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/Picture376.jpg

RoryT

May 9th, 2010, 02:58 PM

http://www.aidan.co.uk/lg/ManOldhamStSp2803.jpg

Parts of the following article sound a bit dated (97/98 time) now but I thought it might serve as a semi-useful introduction until I find something more suitable!

Does anybody know where this article is from??

CDX

May 27th, 2010, 11:46 PM

Small scheme for Edge Street, with a little bit of Corten.
092452/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KY36P9BC00900&searchtype=WEEKLY)
22 To 24 Edge Street, Manchester. M4 1HN

Erection of 6 storey building following demolition of existing building to create 14 apartments above ground floor and basement Class A1 (shop) use, Class A2 (financial and professional services) use, Class A3 (restaurant and cafe) use or Class A4 (drinking establishment) use

http://i45.tinypic.com/w2k7ye.jpg

EverythingButABeach

May 28th, 2010, 12:30 AM

"Small scheme for Edge Street, with a little bit of Corten".

Cheap and nasty. It's replacing quite a grand old building with good floor to ceiling hight. I hope they turn it down and tell them to repair the superior building that's already there.

kids

May 28th, 2010, 02:31 AM

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=firefox-a&channel=s&hl=en&q=M4+1HN&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Manchester,+Lancashire+M4+1HN,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&ei=HwD_S4LICp-I0wSimdHjDQ&ved=0CBYQ8gEwAA&ll=53.48441,-2.236453&spn=0,0.006067&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.484487,-2.236579&panoid=NhNOHDEXl8rgcCrotQnejw&cbp=12,252.06,,0,-34.07

What the fuck?

There's nothing wrong with that building, probably. Hopefully this will be refused.

tomegranate

May 28th, 2010, 10:02 PM

That is very shit indeed.

GShutty

May 29th, 2010, 02:32 PM

I've seen worse. It's hardly a 'great' building and it's certainly not a street full of either great, or period buildings. Still you would think that it would be cheaper to fix the current structure, but with extra floor, I guess not. Either way, it would be good to see another NQ eyesore getting sorted. The quiet wave of regeneration.

Seasonedbest

July 4th, 2010, 07:59 PM

Looks like the Northern Quarter is to double for NY again in Captain America. Lower East this time.

http://www.boweryboogie.com/2010/07/captain-america-using-manchester-as-lower-east-side.html

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Poniverse/news/?a=19648

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Sleuth/Sleuth/Sleuth-02072010_11541.asp?eid=509

http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/06/30/captain-america-filming-in-manchester-next-week/

Seasonedbest

July 4th, 2010, 07:59 PM

double post

cle

July 20th, 2010, 01:05 PM

Wilsey

July 20th, 2010, 04:48 PM

I'm in Manc this weekend and want to have a whizz round the Northern Quarter during the day. In the past I used to find some quite cool shops but I'm a bit out of touch with the area as it's always changing!

Which are the best guy's clothing shops. I know Oi Polloi, but I'm sure there are others.

Also anywhere selling urban/vinyl toys? I think Magma flirted with them at one point, as did that cutesy shop on Oldham St next to the retro coffee shop?

Finally any recommendations for good dinner places there? Doesn't have to be too fancy, but not rice n three either (meeting a fairly respectable friend) - what is 'Thomas Street' restaurant like? Or isn't there a newish pizza place? And how about that Barcelona?

There's a couple of Vinyl shops on Oldham St still, can't remember there names though, but defo worth a walk down there.

As for clothes shops I don't really shop in the NQ, Afflecks palace is always fun to look around though.

The best place to eat in the NQ has to be Walrus if you're into thai/japanese food everything there is made from scratch from the seafood thai curry right down to the coconut and pandan ice-cream served over a chocolate brownie. Otherwise Blu Bar have a more traditional menu, a little pricy but again, great food.

hulmeman2

July 20th, 2010, 05:13 PM

There's a couple of Vinyl shops on Oldham St still, can't remember there names though, but defo worth a walk down there.

As for clothes shops I don't really shop in the NQ, Afflecks palace is always fun to look around though.

The best place to eat in the NQ has to be Walrus if you're into thai/japanese food everything there is made from scratch from the seafood thai curry right down to the coconut and pandan ice-cream served over a chocolate brownie. Otherwise Blu Bar have a more traditional menu, a little pricy but again, great food.

Go to Trof if you want good reasonably priced food, with a great atmosphere too. Their Fallowfield branch been voted best brekky in UK:

http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3312513

NQ Lee

July 20th, 2010, 05:47 PM

I would recommend Trof also, but absolutely hate Walrus and Bluu. Walrus used to be good but went downhill quite a while back. Bluu bar is becoming more and more chavy by the day. I certainly wouldn't step foot in there on a weekend. Why not give Northern Quarter restaurant and bar a try on High Street. Far nicer atmosphere and a much better place to eat.

cle

July 21st, 2010, 02:22 PM

monkey_rat

July 21st, 2010, 02:27 PM

hula is a bit shite, keko moku is decent.

NQ Lee

July 21st, 2010, 03:49 PM

I went to uni in Manc and Trof opened in my final year. Didn't realise there was one in town - is it quite studenty?

Any other recommendations for dinner? Doesn't have to be in the NQ but generally in the city centre?

I'm also quite keen on checking out both of the two Tiki bars in the NQ - any good?

Chaophraya on Chapel Walks is easily the best thai in the city centre, and well worth a visit. I also love Albert's Shed in Castlefield and if you're a big meat eater then you should definitely try Bem Brasil. There are 2 branches - one just off Deansgate and the other is in the Northern Quarter.

flange

July 22nd, 2010, 02:34 PM

Northern Quarter Light Tower is re-lit

Sleuth and the Confidential battle that Cityco, Karney and NCP won for us

22/07/2010 11:27:07

Ah the power of the press thinks Sleuth.

We interviewed Michael Trainor (a man with one of the four best moustaches in Manchester) about the alleged Banksy in the Northern Quarter and he said: “Ironically the ‘Banksy’ patch of spray paint which the Council rushed to preserve, sits at the base of the tower in the multi-storey car park where Peter Freeman’s marvellous neon light tower, remains unlit and unloved.”

Confidential agreed and said to all and sundry who would listen: “We must seek illumination forthwith.”

Councillor Pat Karney, local minister for fun and for the city centre, said: “Let there be light.”

And lo! There was light.

Or rather Sleuth hears that Pat and the city centre management company, Cityco, had meetings with agencies and organisations and institutions and companies. Particularly with NCP who own the car park which holds up the Light Tower .

The result is that after five years of darkness Cityco have struck up a deal with NCP to re-energise the landmark through the latter’s electricity supply.

Sleuth recalls that the piece, one of the best public art works in the city – because it’s very big, very public and very colourful - is made of 76 fluorescent multi-coloured lights standing 12 metres high and is positioned on the red tower of the car park. Sleuth remembers this because it’s in the press release from Cityco.

The work was created by top British lighting artist, Peter Freeman, commissioned by The Art Department in the Northern Quarter and funded by the Arts Council at a cost of £35,000. It was first switched on at the Northern Quarter street festival in 1999. Freeman’s a happy chappy now: “It's fantastic to have the tower illuminated again. It was one of my first big art commissions and it has a great energy and presence”

So what was the problem and why did the Light Tower go dark?

Sleuth hears that one of the car park cleaning attendants had a large vacuum cleaner, the plug of which suffered a broken fuse. The cleaner then removed the plug on the Light Tower to fix it. The plug wasn’t then replaced and even the socket and the on/off switch was hidden behind a Skoda Octavia Estate for several years. Sleuth hears this via the voices in his head.

If you want to catch the tower having energy and presence it’s lit from 9pm until 1am daily. Go and have a look.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Arts/Northern-Quarter-Light-Tower-is-re-lit_11706.asp

cle

July 23rd, 2010, 01:45 PM

Thanks all.

And where's good for men's clothes shopping - good t-shirts, jeans etc...? I know there's a few round the NQ but I think they change a lot and I never remember names.

I used to like Geese which was near the old Paul Smith, but both are long gone... :(

thecityofgold

July 23rd, 2010, 01:50 PM

I went to uni in Manc and Trof opened in my final year. Didn't realise there was one in town - is it quite studenty?

Trof in NQ does the best breakfasts in Manchester, no doubt. I've never found it too studenty. It attracts a mix of people.

NQ Lee

July 23rd, 2010, 05:24 PM

Trof in NQ does the best breakfasts in Manchester, no doubt. I've never found it too studenty. It attracts a mix of people.

Cafe North ain't bad either.

bagg10

July 23rd, 2010, 11:43 PM

Cafe North ain't bad either.

don't know about the food, but the coffee is crap! weaker than starbucks - if that's possible!

NQ Lee

July 25th, 2010, 12:02 AM

don't know about the food, but the coffee is crap! weaker than starbucks - if that's possible!

Agree with you on the coffee...that's why I always have a smoothie with my full english.

CDX

October 15th, 2010, 04:32 PM

New offices app for Swan St, between Band on the Wall/Oak St & Tib St. Looks to be from GP Investments, the people behind the Hilton Square development.

094087/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=L7EL8DBC02600&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3) 094088/CC/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=L7ELFABC02600&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3)
11 - 25 Swan Street, Ancoats, Manchester. M4 5JJ

Development of 14 no. self contained office (Use Class B1) and/or retail (Use Class A1) and/or financial and professional services (Use Class A2) units

http://www.q2architects.co.uk

http://www.comproperty.com/property_images/48152_1.jpg (http://www.comproperty.com/properties-detail.php?property_id=48152)
Photo from: http://www.comproperty.com/properties-detail.php?property_id=48152

heatonparkincakes

October 16th, 2010, 05:24 PM

Good grief that is an eyesore!!!

It shocks me how much of the outer rim of the city centre is still so rundown after 15 odd years of boom.

Shocking really.

CDX

October 21st, 2010, 05:45 PM

Docs are on for it now...
http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?094087/FO/2010/C2

this one gives a bit of info on the development plan,
094087-SSI-0001.pdf - Development Strategy (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?094087-ssi-0001.pdf)

Garibaldi773

November 5th, 2010, 08:34 AM

flange

November 5th, 2010, 03:18 PM

The wrappers were coming off Afflecks yesterday after the external works. You will be pleased to know that Bruntwood have not painted the building white. In fact the brickwork has scrubbed-up nicely. :)

Posted a photo of Afflecks in the Retail thread yesterday

The refurbishment of Afflecks is now starting to be revealed.

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/6656/manchester573.jpg

GShutty

November 5th, 2010, 03:29 PM

The wrappers were coming off Afflecks yesterday after the external works. You will be pleased to know that Bruntwood have not painted the building white. In fact the brickwork has scrubbed-up nicely. :)

Posted a photo of Afflecks in the Retail thread yesterday

The more pictures the merrier, so good work guys. I think it's actually been painted as somebody suggested in the Retail Thread y'day, but nonetheless looks fab all cleaned up. We just need something doing with that flippin' car park at the back sometime (please).

kids

November 5th, 2010, 04:40 PM

wow that is weird. no sure i like it tbh, think i preffered it all one colour!

Garibaldi773

November 6th, 2010, 01:33 PM

Sorry I missed the picture in the retail thread - thanks for re-posting. I think that the building looks quite dignified in its nice new outfit and I had never really appreciated the architectural treatment of the upper levels and the roof before.

flange

November 6th, 2010, 01:52 PM

The Afflecks refurb should be complete and the scaffolding down within the next 3 weeks.

http://www.afflecks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/afflecks-refurb.bmp

Image from http://www.afflecks.com/ taken earlier this week.

When the refurb of Afflecks is fully revealed the NCP car park will be a great viewing point to photograph Afflecks from.

flange

November 6th, 2010, 02:00 PM

Here is another photo of Afflecks, that I took the same day as my other image.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9400/manchester572.jpg

Seasonedbest

November 7th, 2010, 02:52 PM

It looks like the front of an old department store in Paris.

jozblade

November 7th, 2010, 07:41 PM

I like it. It looks much better than it did before.

Splurb

November 19th, 2010, 05:14 PM

http://theflatiron.co.uk/

http://theflatiron.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Flatiron-Brochure.pdf

Wondered what was going on with this building for a while as it had plenty of scaffolding around it. Now the wraps are off the upper floors look good from the outside. They are still working on it by the looks of things, the ground floor isn't finished yet. Should be a nice addition to the area if they can fill it.

CDX

November 19th, 2010, 06:22 PM

Love it, good little gallery of images on the site,

http://theflatiron.co.uk/gallery#1

http://theflatiron.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/MG_0674.jpg

Needs some full shots of the outside, guess they're waiting for the refurb works to have finished.

Any sign of what this might be at Afflecks?
093016/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=L1BYUGBC6K000&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3)
Proposed addition of metalwork sculpture to Tib Street facade

No docs ever went on for it, approved last month.

Manc Guy

November 19th, 2010, 11:21 PM

Wow its looking really good.

Just thinking, it would make a rather unique dining setting!

Splurb

November 20th, 2010, 01:55 AM

Wow its looking really good.

Just thinking, it would make a rather unique dining setting!

I think the ground floor is to be for for leisure/retail, so dining could well be an option!

CDX

November 22nd, 2010, 06:54 PM

Just been looking at this app,
092519/REP/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KYLJP4BC00700)
NCP Car Park, Junction Of Tib Street/Church Street

Extension of time limit for implementation of application ref no. 069870/FO/2003/C1. Erection of a 9 storey building (including ground) comprising 192 apartments on levels 1-8, use class A1, A2, A3, B1, D1 and D2 (retail, financial and professional services, restaurant, non residential institution and assembly and leisure) on ground floor with 2 levels of basement car parking

Decision was published last month, extended for 18 months from 18/08/10, so little over a year from now to commence. Are MCC getting tighter with extensions on long term unimplemented props?
Consents for the development of this site have been in place for over 8 years and it is felt that the continuing failure to implement these consents is inhibiting the regeneration of and environmental improvements to this site which is an aim of policies contained within the Unitary Development Plan for Manchester
http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?092519-ddn-0002.pdf

The section 106 has been staged, with 1/3 to be paid on commencement, 1/3 on occupation, 1/3 on occupation of the 100th apartment.

Semi related photo...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4664612232_01bb43f825.jpg
Credit: jenthelibrarian (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenthelibrarian/4664612232/)

eccles cake

November 22nd, 2010, 08:37 PM

Best neighbourhood in Britain .
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1371879_northern_quarter_crowned_best_neighbourhood_in_britain

CDX

November 23rd, 2010, 06:37 PM

Approved today.

New offices app for Swan St, between Band on the Wall/Oak St & Tib St. Looks to be from GP Investments, the people behind the Hilton Square development.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=L7EL8DBC02600&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3

CDX

December 23rd, 2010, 05:03 PM

This looks promising, plans look to be from Stephenson Bell,
095019/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LD5U6YBC00900&searchtype=WEEKLY) 095012/LO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LD466QBC09D00&searchtype=WEEKLY)
Sevendale House, 5 - 7 Dale Street, Manchester. M1 1JA

Change of use from existing mixed use classes to Class B1 (Business) at ground floor entrance and floors 1 to 5 above and external elevations comprising alterations to reinstate the original main entrance on Stevenson Square elevation, creation of new access point within existing window opening for platform lift, repair, refurbishment and some reglazing of windows, formation of new roof top plant area and creation of new sub station and refuse area to Spear Street.

and a smaller app for a corner of the square, a bike shop,
094982/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LCZYCZBC6K000&searchtype=WEEKLY)
23 Hilton Street, Manchester. M1 1ET

Use of property as a retail shop (Use Class A1).http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk

CDX

December 27th, 2010, 04:30 PM

Looking back a couple of pages, this one was approved, sneaked through with a delegated decision, so didn't go to committee...
092452/FO/2010/C2 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KY36P9BC00900&searchtype=WEEKLY)
22 To 24 Edge Street, Manchester. M4 1HN

Erection of 6 storey building following demolition of existing building to create 14 apartments above ground floor and basement Class A1 (shop) use, Class A2 (financial and professional services) use, Class A3 (restaurant and cafe) use or Class A4 (drinking establishment) use

http://i45.tinypic.com/w2k7ye.jpg

yesevil

January 11th, 2011, 12:35 PM

Sounds like quite a big re-furb of Sevendale House in the NQ:

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1404868_citys_northern_quarter_sees_development_boom

I believe the below is said building...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=7+dale+street+manchester&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=7+Dale+St,+Manchester,+Greater+Manchester+M1+1,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.482097,-2.234846&spn=0.000508,0.002798&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.481969,-2.234636&panoid=VOtdxyQj6I19btFe0ur8GQ&cbp=12,359.5,,0,-13.7

jrb

January 13th, 2011, 07:23 PM

MEN Business Week.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/6285/screen20110113172211.jpg

jrb

January 13th, 2011, 11:41 PM

TBD. ^^

ONE of the flagship buildings in Manchester's Northern Quarter is set to undergo a £6m refurbishment to restore it to ts former grandeur.

Sevendale House, a Grade II-listed, six-storey building in Stevenson Square, is to be upgraded to provide quality office space if a planning application submitted to Manchester City Council is approved.

Sevendale House is owned by Philip J Davies (Holdings) plc. Director Mark Davies said that its long term plan for the building had always been to wait for several leases to expire to carry out a major investment that will restore some of its period features while providing modern office space.

A new reception area is being created on the ground floor and five upper floors are being converted into 61,500 sq ft of offices - each with floorplates of around 14,500 sq ft. Once complete, the building will have the capacity to house a further 700 office workers.

The 120,000 sq ft building dates from 1903 and occupies a prominent island site in the square. It has several retail and leisure operators on its ground and basement floor levels, including arts supplies firm Fred Aldous, the NoHo bar and the Copacabana nightclub. The landlord confirmed that it is looking to retain its current tenants whom it said would not be affected by the works.

“This is our first opportunity in twenty-five years to carry out the long awaited renaissance of this significant building which will also enhance the attractions of the Northern Quarter to office users requiring good quality space in a great location with competitive overheads," said Davies.

"The Northern Quarter’s close proximity to Piccadilly and the business/financial core of the city gives us great confidence in terms of what we can offer here to augment Manchester’s office provision to companies of all sizes.

"Whether it is the creative industries that gravitate to this area or professional service companies that need cost- effective offices centrally situated, if this consent is granted, we are on target to provide this by March 2012.”

The company, which has a number of properties within its portfolio, was established over forty years ago by chairman Philip J Davies, who continues to play an active role in the business.

Dominic Horridge, building consultancy partner at advisors OBI Property, said: “On behalf of our client, we have worked closely with both Manchester City Council and English Heritage over the past months on this important application and believe we have their support and confidence in our client’s ability and commitment to deliver this project."

He added that the firm had appointed a project team including architects Stephenson Bell, Crooks Walker Consulting and Tier Consulting to carry out the refurbishment.

Stephenson Bell partner Roger Stephenson said: “We believe this building is the embodiment of the spirit of the Northern Quarter past and present.

"Its refurbishment presents us with many challenges including the intention to reintroduce the original lightwell which Manchester City Council’s archive records show was part of its original design and planning consent.

"This will run from the first to the fourth floor of Sevendale House and ultimately provide the building with superb natural daylight to illuminate the office space we create.”

The planning application is due to be considered in early March.

Unremarkable

January 14th, 2011, 08:15 AM

flange

January 14th, 2011, 02:29 PM

It would make a great looking boutique hotel, with some nice greenery outside and some spillage of tables onto the pavement, perfect for the NQ me thinks.

But offices is better than nothing I suppose.

Where will my favourite camera shop go though?

The retail units are not going to be changing so, Real Camera Co and Fred Adlous etc will be staying.

The 120,000 sq ft building dates from 1903 and occupies a prominent island site in the square. It has several retail and leisure operators on its ground and basement floor levels, including arts supplies firm Fred Aldous, the NoHo bar and the Copacabana nightclub. The landlord confirmed that it is looking to retain its current tenants whom it said would not be affected by the works.

jozblade

March 1st, 2011, 02:25 PM

I was walking around the NQ yesterday from Oldham Street area towards Piccadilly (the 'back' way) and there is so much untapped potential in that area of the city. So many great buildings around there.

Are there any plans by the council in terms of what they hope to achieve in the NQ over the coming years? Areas of Thomas Street that is largely filled with shops,restraunts and bars still has some dodgy buildings.

March 24th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Taken from the City Centre Lib Dems (http://citycentrelibdems.mycouncillor.org.uk/) March newsletter,
Welcome to our latest edition of the City Centre Residents e-news. We are pleased to set out below some key issues that your local Liberal Democrat Councillors have been working on in the past month:

Stevenson Square Update

Early last year we reported on plans to redevelop and improve Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, which would included removing the buses and making the square more pedestrian friendly and attractive. Your city centre Councillor have received the following update from the City Centre Regeneration team:

"The TIF proposals being developed in 2007/8 would have allowed the removal of most of the buses currently using the Northern Quarter. They included the building a bus station near Salford Central Station which would be used by the Salford and other westbound services that currently terminate in Shudehill Interchange. Those services vacating Shudehill would create the capacity to allow all the services using places like Oldham Street, Lever Street and Stevenson Square to terminate in the interchange. The new bus station in Salford would also have helped remove the same Salford and westbound buses from the Greengate area in Salford and Victoria Street in Manchester, which in turn would have helped Salford and Manchester Councils bring forward, respectively, the Greengate and Cathedral Square schemes. With the failure of the TIF bid (i.e. the no vote in the referendum) the funding was lost (or more accurately, was never made available). More recently colleagues here in Transport and Highways have been working with colleagues in Salford and with the bus operators to find a way of re-routing those Salford and westbound bus services and I have been reassured that this work is progressing well.

From the outset we identified that the catalyst to the refurbishment of the square would be the delivery of the second phase of Argent's The Hive (i.e. 1 to 9 Stevenson Square and 43-45 Lever Street). The Hive Phase 2 had in its own right the potential to deliver S106 monies to help pay for works in the square and Argent had the potential to pull together a partnership with other building owners around the square. While Phase 1 of The Hive (47 - 51 Lever Street) has been completed and is gradually being occupied, Phase 2 has stalled (partly because of the economic downturn and partly because of Argent's protracted negotiations to acquire one of the buildings) and this has meant that there has been a loss of momentum in Argent's dialogue with their neighbours around the square.

In terms of scheme costs and budget, the report to Executive in June 2008 contained a scheme cost estimate of £1.6 million (which feels on the low side). There was no mention in the report of there being a budget for the scheme, although the report did say that once scheme costs were identified and private sector contributions taken into account an appropriate budget would be allocated".

April 20th, 2011, 02:49 PM

A few quick shots of the clearance for Hilton Sq Mk2(anyone know what its real name is?)

http://i56.tinypic.com/j9ugdu.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/1z6a6hd.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/v48aap.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/5miy6h.jpg
http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=L7EL8DBC02600

Also, looks like Hilton Sq has been shortlisted for an RIBA award,
http://www.architecture.com/RegionsAndInternational/UKNationsAndRegions/England/RIBANorthWest/Awards/Awards.aspx

guy debord

April 21st, 2011, 01:14 AM

Good news, Hilton Square is good quality, nicely built and well located.

macc

April 21st, 2011, 12:22 PM

A few quick shots of the clearance for Hilton Sq Mk2(anyone know what its real name is?)

So this is another version of the small offices near Lamarrs? These are great.

It's really good provision of reasonably sized and priced modern office space for small businesses and start ups. It's fitting it's in the NQ but the concept could be replicated in various locations, such as mediacity.

April 21st, 2011, 01:07 PM

So this is another version of the small offices near Lamarrs? These are great.

Yep, it's from the same developers, replicating the format/style following the success of it.

pipkin

April 21st, 2011, 02:05 PM

I had no idea about the Hilton Sq development, what a great addition to Swan Street, in my mind an undervalued and potentially lovely addition to NQ. Lets hope something happens to the old market hall soon...

cle

April 21st, 2011, 04:40 PM

I love those little offices around Lamarrs - always walk that was to Piccadilly. Port Street Beer House makes that area even better!

It's quite atmospheric, in a way that the central NQ around Thomas Street and Oldham Street has begun to lack, due to popularity.

kids

April 21st, 2011, 05:07 PM

Port Street is one of my favs too

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5547765939_39bdf23c5f_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paullikespics/5547765939/in/photostream/

markydeedrop

April 21st, 2011, 07:24 PM

21 Apr 2011, 15:24

Manchester's bohemian Northern Quarter is to host a 1940s-style street party for the Royal wedding on Friday 29 April.

Edge Street and part of Oak Street will be transformed with bunting, punch and Victoria sponge in abundance.

Local cafes and businesses will set up stalls offering party food, cake, chocolate, vintage delights, arts and crafts and much more.

An eclectic fashion show will showcase the Northern Quarter's finest independent designers and outlets, with many of the garments available for sale on stalls afterwards.

The event is being organised by Edge Street Events, an events and marketing company situated in the heart of the Northern Quarter on Edge Street. The company is already known for the Manchester Food & Drink Festival.

Carole Keating is a freelance events manager who came up with the idea, pitched it to Edge Street, and is now working on the event as part of their team.

Keating said: "Since putting the word out only a month ago we've had an unbelievable response, with 2,500 fans and over 800 followers and growing every day. It looks set to be a fairly major event for the area as we're aiming to attract around 2,000 people to the event, to bring new people to the Northern Quarter as well as getting the locals together. We love a good excuse for a party in Manchester but it's also a great opportunity for businesses to engage with the NQ community- a community of movers, shakers and tastemakers."

The Northern Quarter Street Party will celebrate Manchester's cultural hub and the myriad of independent enterprises that make it one of the most exciting, dynamic and diverse neighbourhood in the UK to work and play in.

A swing dance lesson by the Manchester Lindyhop society is sure to get toes tapping, while a 40s-themed treasure hunt around the Northern Quarter will delight would-be sleuths. A busker's bandstand will feature a mix of folk bands, magicians and other entertaining eccentrics. Local artists will showcase their work in a series of live art performances; there are rumours abound of an epic sing-off between two rival barbershop choirs, while the 'Red Arrows' will be taking to the streets as you've never seen them before!

Budding cake-bakers, bunting-crafters and jam-makers are invited to enter their creations into a competition, to be judged by a very special guest. Other party plans include craft workshops, a brass band and string quartet, charity tombola, pass the parcel, black pudding hoopla and much more. As the light fades stunning visual projections will be provided by Littlestar Media and DJs including Xfm's Gareth Brooks, Murkage Cartel and the stars of the NQ's finest underground clubnights will keep the party going til 9pm.

The Northern Quarter Street Party plans to become an annual event, held every summer and growing in size, scope and ambition- now is the time to get on board with an event set to become a key fixture in Manchester's cultural calendar.

■www.facebook.com/NorthernQuarterStreetParty
■www.twitter.com/NQStreetParty
■www.northernquarterstreetparty.co.ukhttp://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/8889-northern-quarter-street-party-for-royal-wedding.html

Manc Guy

April 21st, 2011, 11:03 PM

http://i55.tinypic.com/5miy6h.jpg

Are the drawings still online for this? How do I access them?

What happened to the planning portal map, cant seem to find it anywhere.

June 11th, 2011, 12:08 AM

Renders on the hoardings of the Swan Street development,

http://i55.tinypic.com/2ro44ud.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/29mshat.jpg

The developers GP Investments seem to have become Workshop Properties Ltd, being built by Pres-tech Construction.

June 17th, 2011, 05:55 PM

This looks like quite an interesting decision...recently refused application for a (retrospective?) change of use of the upper floors of 1-3 Stevenson Square, the supposed site of Hive phase two. Possibly the building Argent are struggling to acquire?

1-3 Stevenson Square Manchester M1 1DN
Change of use to D1 (education and training facility) at 1st 2nd and third floor level
094744/FU/2010/C2 (http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?action=dispatch&keyVal=LBMJ1MBC03K00&caseType=Application)

Decision Doc (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?094744-ddn-0001.pdf)

Reason 1, 'The proposal has the potential to be detrimental to the attractiveness of the area to future investment'

flange

June 21st, 2011, 04:54 PM

Let’s talk Northern Quarter… the council seems to feel there are enough bars around the bottom of Thomas Street. Where does the Northern Quarter go if there are no more bars allowed in?
Flippantly, I don’t think bars are the problem. I think tea shops are the problem – as much as we love them, there are an awful lot of them.

I think Thomas Street has seen a lot of bars open and the demographic of that area has changed, but that will always happen. We have a member of staff working full time on the Northern Quarter because it’s incredibly important to Manchester’s offer and we probably don’t make enough of it. We need to make sure it doesn’t just become Carnaby Street though.

But the businesses there have to be sustainable. Tea rooms come and go.
The ones that survive and thrive have a strong identity and have a different theme to the others. You need to keep your identity and encourage the businesses to be original.

I think some parts of the Northern Quarter have gone more upmarket to the way they were three or four years ago. I think it will be interested to how it expands towards Great Ancoats Street and up towards the Sharp Project.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Vaughan-Allen-Interview

Slow Burn

June 26th, 2011, 04:21 PM

Hoardings up around the Hilton Square site
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1152.jpg

heatonparkincakes

June 26th, 2011, 09:10 PM

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Vaughan-Allen-Interview

Really how expansive is the boundary of the northern quarter? I suspect we will see bandwaggoning as areas previously not known to be in NQland suddenly are incorporated as if they weRe mid 19th century American prairie states.

For me the essence of the quarter is what formally was called Newtown. I suspect in a generation ;if things go well; it will include shude hill, new cross, little italy, and much of ancoats. Maybe even Strangeways in 50 years if the logic of development and the economics of cheap rents and creativity continues.

GShutty

June 27th, 2011, 04:27 PM

Really how expansive is the boundary of the northern quarter?

It shouldn't cross Great Ancoats St for me, as that area is 'Ancoats', however the area across Swan Street is a bit of an undefined area between Ancoats and Angel Meadows/ NoMa, so that could weel get consumed I guess the area towards Piccadilly is a bit of a misnomer too. I would say the NQ extends as far as Newton St, but that's just me.

Chogmook

June 27th, 2011, 04:38 PM

I always think the NQ should stretch no further than Piccadilly (road), High Street, Shudehill, Great Ancoats Street and Ducie Street (Where it merges into the Piccadilly area)

Ancoats HAS to be retained as Ancoats due to the industrial heritage of the area, simple as! :)

Stevenson Square should be pedestrianised and made THE central focal point for the NQ (small outdoor markets on different days e.g. craft, fashion, farmers etc)

Slow Burn

June 27th, 2011, 07:49 PM

Chogmook, I couldn't agree with you more - about the Stephenson Square idea and your interpretation of the boundaries of the Northern Quarter. Those are the same boundaries that I have in my mind.

heatonparkincakes

June 27th, 2011, 08:16 PM

An excellent idea Chogmook and perhaps one you could dangle in front of Pat Karney.

monkey_rat

June 27th, 2011, 09:19 PM

i thought the plan was always to pedestrianise the square, but they were waiting until the hive phase 2 kicked off.

i wonder if they'd still keep letting traffic run down lever street. even if they did you'd still have two decent sized squares.

davey_jim

June 28th, 2011, 02:09 AM

Retailing in Stevenson Square and the strong wholesaling element also apparent are clearly linked to the area's garment trade. The Square's role as a bus and taxi terminus tends to dominate its character at present. The attractiveness of the area would clearly be improved if it were possible to remove some buses and carry out environmental works to create a more attractive urban space, linking also to environmental improvements elsewhere in the area. The potential for this may be limited in the short term but will be substantially increased when the intention of the Council and the Passenger Transport Executive to replace Stevenson Square as a bus terminus is fulfilled.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/4019/unitary_development_plan

Taken from the Manchester UDP

cle

June 28th, 2011, 02:02 PM

Stevenson Square is so bleak sometimes. It has a few bars but during the day, it's pretty tragic.

The NQ doesn't have a proper focal point - Oldham St is scabby and full of buses at the lower end, Thomas Street is very nice but quite linear. Stevenson Square would be perfect.

As I recall, on the northern side, there is wide pavement. Pedestrianisation would help this, but even if it was partial, this side could have pavement cafes or weather awnings, and market stalls. A farmers' market would be great.

GShutty

July 6th, 2011, 09:41 PM

I oticed the steel is going up on the small business offices on Swan St. If the Port St ones are anything to go by this will all be up in no time at all.

Splurb

July 7th, 2011, 12:14 AM

I oticed the steel is going up on the small business offices on Swan St. If the Port St ones are anything to go by this will all be up in no time at all.

Good spot GShutty. I also noticed next some demolition going on next to the ones on Port Street (at Brewer Street/Tariff Street junction), anyone know anything about that?

GShutty

July 7th, 2011, 03:18 PM

Hey Splurb, there was a fire there last wee. I posted some photos in the 'Official Manchester Thread 13' post 3044: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=352208

With retrospect it would have been better putting it in here. Hopefully now that this patch has been cleared it will encourage some redevelopment activity as it's a bit psarse round there, twoards Ancoats.

Chogmook

July 7th, 2011, 03:30 PM

Last wee! :lol:

Splurb

July 7th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the info! Agreed, it would be nice for the redevelopment started with the offices to continue in that direction, especially with the old Issa scheme on Gt Ancoats St now re-starting. Plenty of space still to develop around there!

July 9th, 2011, 07:58 PM

The steelwork on Swan St,

http://i54.tinypic.com/2vci5cm.jpg

Slow Burn

July 10th, 2011, 11:08 PM

^^They're racing ahead with this!

jrb

July 13th, 2011, 01:03 AM

Today.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6025/picture482m.jpg

GShutty

July 21st, 2011, 11:53 AM

Pretty much all of the framework is in place now:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/SwanSt.jpg

And one of my favourite and IMO one of the prettiest little buildings next door (although notr the best snap sorry):

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/SwanSt2.jpg

guy debord

July 22nd, 2011, 12:12 AM

Not really noticed the building with the pet shop before, it's a beauty

kids

July 22nd, 2011, 12:44 AM

Where is the crossover between exotic pets and hydroponics?

I'd love to have a wander around the upper stories of that building as it is, I bet it's lofty rooms are filled to the rafters with baroque bird cages and the place dusted everywhere with hamster food which an escaped boa who terrifies the work experience lass subsists on.

Actually that is a bit of a remnant that store in itself isn't it, Tib Street having been up until recently Manchester's pet 'area' -

http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=62157&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=45057

http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=7508&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=69446

http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=7439&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=69546

Is there a name for a cluster of shops in the same business?

heatonparkincakes

July 22nd, 2011, 01:54 AM

Has any one got any idea what is going in the so called workshop

heatonparkincakes

July 22nd, 2011, 01:56 AM

Out of complete self interest the top picture. What is the tower in the background ? I am curious as I was to believe a pub was there.

nerd

July 22nd, 2011, 03:17 AM

Out of complete self interest the top picture. What is the tower in the background ? I am curious as I was to believe a pub was there.

Do you mean the church tower?

That is St Paul New Cross: Architect Sir George Gilbert Scott (the only Scott church in Manchester I think). A very late work 1876-8, continued after Scott's death by his son John Oldrid Scott. As I recall, it was demolished around 1971.

The pub - The Crown and Kettle - is opposite, and still there.

Slow Burn

July 23rd, 2011, 03:21 PM

New workspaces fronting Swan Street
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1233.jpg?t=1311423660

Seasonedbest

August 4th, 2011, 03:11 PM

Anyone know where the Pele/Cantona press conference in the Northern Quarter was yesterday?

Splurb

August 4th, 2011, 03:15 PM

Not sure but I'd hazard a guess at the Umbro Studios, who sponsor the Cosmos

Seasonedbest

August 4th, 2011, 03:45 PM

^ah see see

heatonparkincakes

August 5th, 2011, 02:36 AM

Do you mean the church tower?

That is St Paul New Cross: Architect Sir George Gilbert Scott (the only Scott church in Manchester I think). A very late work 1876-8, continued after Scott's death by his son John Oldrid Scott. As I recall, it was demolished around 1971.

The pub - The Crown and Kettle - is opposite, and still there.

Massively appreciate that, there is a family folk story that my great grand father came to manchester a century ago and worked and lived as a Cooper in what is now the beer garden of the fringe bar. He did not stay mind you!

pixel2006

August 5th, 2011, 02:11 PM

That part of Manchester is going to look pretty good - well the left hand side of the road in Slow Burn's photo ^^ . It always felt a bit of a let down as you came of Great Ancoats into this narrow street. Instead of giving an intimate NQ vibe it just looked run down.

Can't wait to drive down this strip and then WHAM the Coop HQ.

Having said that the Mackie (?) Building still needs a new life and those Art Deco type building at the lights could do with a facelift.

heatonparkincakes

August 7th, 2011, 11:52 AM

Agreed pixel it is slowly getting better. But only slowly. Still a great of urban decay around there and far too many rubbled plots for car parks.

As a part the area around the Workshop was more commonly referred to as New Cross in my youth, whilst Thomas Street was Newtown. Have those names been abandoned or do they remain, but are sub districts of the Northern Quarter name.

This comes out recalling a conversation with a Londoner friend who said to me that the thing that differentiates between London and Manchester is the former is strictly defined by it's little districts within the central zone. Whilst for him, he had barely heard anyone here using such reference. I argued the case that people do talk about deans gate or NQ, but yeah it's true the old historic names are moribund.

It's an curious oddity about Manchester an I guess that is why the council have encouraged the growth of the "quarters" to re define the city centre.

jrb

August 30th, 2011, 10:03 PM

PNW

Argent signs Bakerie to Northern Quarter

30 Aug 2011, 16:36

New wine bar and tasting store Bakerie is set to open on Lever Street in the Northern Quarter, Manchester city centre.

Manchester City Council has granted planning permission and license agreements to RWB Leisure to open Bakerie in 3,000 sq ft on the ground floor at 45 Lever Street and 2,000 sq ft on the ground floor of the Hive. Both buildings are owned by Argent.

Bakerie will open in two phases at 45 Lever Street first and then its tasting store at Unit 1 at the Hive.

Bakerie has signed a 10 year lease at the Hive, while details of the rental agreement at 45 Lever Street and cost of rent at both buildings was not disclosed.

David Cook, RWB Leisure, said: "The two units are perfect for Bakerie, a brand new offer for the Northern Quarter. We'll be stocking a wide range of quality wines, baking our own bread on site and everything you can buy in the wine bar, you'll be able to buy in the tasting store. We're looking forward to opening the wine bar in the autumn and the tasting store in winter."

Tenants at the 80,000 sq ft Hive building include the Arts Council.