After reading today's article in the Homes edition of the MEN, I'm even more excited about this development! :)

Launch date, 28th of January!(Link below images)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/lava.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/launchmap_full.gif

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/siteplan_small.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi1.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi2.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi3.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi4.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/search_results.html?bedrooms=3&x=27&y=9

Now that looks damn fine :)

Now that looks damn fine :)

Indeed is does Bio mate.

A bit of humble pie will have to be eaten! :)

28th it is then! :)

Thats looks belting

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi2.jpg

Lovely!

This is going to be a stunning addition to Manchester , i really like it :)

With this being built it will encourage more developments to start inbetween this and Piccadilly

So this launch date , is this when its starts construction or when the apartments go on the market?

This is going to be a stunning addition to Manchester , i really like it :)

With this being built it will encourage more developments to start inbetween this and Piccadilly

So this launch date , is this when its starts construction or when the apartments go on the market?

Marketing!

Boy oh' boy, i remember when everybody hated this...

A slab here, a tower there another slab over there... what's the urban design philosophy here?

Still not convinced by this.

Fair do's, they might be nice slabs and towers.... ;)

Of course, I've always liked it!

It looks kinda 23rd Century. Like something off a science-fiction movie. Exciting or what?

Looks like

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/204SovereignPoint_pic23.jpg

+

http://www.ma.man.ac.uk/DeptWeb/Tower1.jpg

Cladding looks similar to 3 Piccadilly Place too. Not sure about this.

Is that Sandstone? Suppose that's a blessing - rather that than faux quarry tiles dipped in Heinz chemicals.
Don't know this neck of the woods at all unfortunately - finding it hard to pinpoint (the arndale proximity helps a little). Are we anywhere near the 'orrible ancoats retail park?

Love the token referance to kid friendly apartments in this image:

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi4.jpg

Yeah NorthB, it's on the land directly to the right of the retail park as you face it. It's boundaries include New Mill St, Gt Ancoats St and the (Ashton) Canal. It's got boards and images around it if you wander that way.

It does look rather like the Maths Tower, Caw.

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi2.jpg

http://www.ma.man.ac.uk/DeptWeb/Tower1.jpg

I've always liked the design of this tower, however I hope the stone cladding doesn't just end up looking like concrete cause it sorta does in the renders.

Boy oh' boy, i remember when everybody hated this...

How fickle the general public is when it can only be swayed by shiney ultra/over realistic CGI's.

The Harbour city(?) (2x94m, 2x76m) Towers will be another case of people changing their minds. However, the Greengate scheme will be the opposite. Oh for the days when all the planners had were pencil crayoned wobbly impressions and elevations with a schedule of materials.

How fickle the general public is when it can only be swayed by shiney ultra/over realistic CGI's.

The Harbour city(?) (2x94m, 2x76m) Towers will be another case of people changing their minds. However, the Greengate scheme will be the opposite. Oh for the days when all the planners had were pencil crayoned wobbly impressions and elevations with a schedule of materials.

I prefered toilet roll tubes and egg boxes myself!

Cheers GShutty.

Adding leisure to win planning consent

A DEVELOPER has blasted half-hearted urban regeneration schemes.

Alastair Dickens, northern director at ISIS, the property company behind plans for Manchester's three-acre Islington Wharf site, says that too many developers are not totally committed to mixed development in the city centre.

He claims leisure, office and retail is crucial to getting the right mix at Islington Wharf to create a vibrant and sustainable community - but that too many rivals treat retail and leisure casually, including it only to help convince planners that they want to see urban regeneration.

ISIS is backed by £100m of funding from British Waterways, AMEC, Morley Investments Igloo Regeneration Fund. Mr Dickens said: "In many urban regeneration schemes, business space is included as an `add on'.

"Regrettably, a bi-product of city living over the last decade appears to be boarded-up ground floor restaurants and bar units.

"We don't include mixed-uses simply to secure planning consent. We are committed to complementary uses because we believe they create vibrancy which, in turn, adds value to business or residential space.

"We don't believe in relying simply on tried and tested commercial formulae. We have an innovative approach to creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and established businesses.

"We take an active approach to the management of places and spaces so businesses have the best platform to prosper, because we want to create communities that will thrive as they mature."

The New Islington scheme, designed by architects Broadway Malyan, features a striking 21-storey landmark building in sandstone and copper.

The first phase of the Islington Wharf scheme on Great Ancoats Street includes 200 one, two, three bedroom apartments, four bedroom homes and two leisure units totalling 6,600 sq ft and 3,500 sq ft of commercial space.

The derelict site.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture011.jpg

Jrb,,,There an "H" in Wharf

Love H xx

Jrb,,,There an "H" in Wharf

Love H xx

Correct Highriser. :)

Issa Wharf site.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture027.jpg

Going on Saturday. I'll get a brochure, etc.

Indeed is does Bio mate.

A bit of humble pie will have to be eaten! :)

Why? :?

I read an article in the Sunday Times about ISIS and it used Islington Wharf as their main example. IT was very interesting saying how they are a properly committed developer, not just building boxes but trying to create sustainable communities with proper facilities, families, houses and gardens, and limiting the number of buy-to-lets.

Forgive me if I am taching grandma to suck eggs but ISIS is an armm-length part of British Waterways joint venture with AMEC and someone else.

They did say that much of the Mcr development was 'safe' (if I remember rightly) design, but praised the tower :)

Apparently ISIS are doing stuff in Nottingham, Leeds (I think) and they have just awarded the Warwick Bar in Brum masterplan to Kinetic AIU. Have a look on our thread if your interested - looks funky (not a lot of highrise though :( - just one midrise tower due to the historic nature of the area)

Just been down.

Nothing we don't know about or have, apart from a free cd rom and black scarf.(very nice :) )

Credit to their PR company. Islington Wharf seems to be everywhere, including this article in the MEN.

Going green to lure families into city

NEW city centre homes aimed at enticing families to live in the heart of Manchester go on sale today (Saturday).

Islington Wharf on Great Ancoats Street will include some two-storey houses with gardens, and the developers say they are trying to offer something different to the "identikit flats and sterile blocks".

Mark Ryder, chief executive of ISIS Waterside Regeneration, the company behind the development, says city centre regeneration is at a pivotal point.



Speaking at a party to mark the launch of the development, he said: "An over-supply of one and two-bedroom apartments, many identikit in design and a slowdown in the market have prompted questions about the sustainability of city living.

"It is time to move on from the monoculture of city centre living, which only appeals to the pockets and aspirations of one group of people."

The dramatic sandstone and copper towers that feature in the ambitious scheme will have a large landscaped garden area at podium level for residents to use.

But the scheme will not be gated off, with the aim being to open up the banks of the Ashton Canal. Mr Ryder said: "If this scheme is to work we must animate the waterfront. We want a deli, a bar, shops and a hotel."

The development will cover a large plot bounded by the canal and Old Mill Street and will be a key gateway to the new Millennium community of New Islington.

New social housing is almost complete there and work on schemes like the Chips building is due to start this year, with future plans for new community services such as a school, health centre and park.

Tom Russell, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "Five years ago this part of Manchester was a desolate place.

"But it has been transformed by people with vision and this project is the latest stage in the development in the quarter of the city along the Ashton Canal corridor."

Well I advise everyone to go and take a look at the impressive promo videos for the development which can be downloaded here (http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/videos.html).




Here are some screenshots from said video.




http://i1.tinypic.com/mvghf7.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/mvghn8.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi3.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/mvghtk.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/mvgi09.jpg




What it enables me to do finally is viualise the shape and arrangement of the different blocks and the development as a whole - which isn't at all intuative from the renderings so far released, nor will it be in real life I dont think so on that score I'm still somewhat sceptical of this development.

Have I warmed to it more though? I think the answer to that would be definitely yes. What it shows is that the tower is a series of stepped, interconnected U-shaped pieces which cuts into a large podium which has two large lesiure units fanning out either side of the tower forming a frontage onto the canal. The podium (presumably for car parking) also doubles up as a raised space for public and private garden areas with three other lowrise, oblong blocks integrated into it enclosing the gardens space and forming a strong edge with more ground floor retail to Great Ancoats Street, Old Mill Street and the other canal arm.




http://i1.tinypic.com/mvgord.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/mvgqpw.jpg

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/images/gallery/cgi1.jpg





All in all Im definitely something of a convert to this development and its sutainable features are a particular plus point such as...

The relatively large numbers of two storey, 3 & 4 bed apartments contained within the blocks
The mix of uses
The use of durable and attractive cladding materials
The extensive and seemingly well designed public and private spaces




http://i1.tinypic.com/mvgrk0.jpg

Like it, like alot. Good looking scheme. Sandstone and copper finish will be rather interesting. When's it mooted to start.

ISIS are coming to Leeds for the Granary Wharf scheme, so we're expecting good things from them. Hopefully.

Cheers for that Sleepy, yeah i looks like this is going to be a great development, i reckon they'll be on site within the next month now the apartments have be launched.

I think this will be great for Ancoats and Ancoats St inparticular, it shouldnt be underestimated the impact this will have on the area once built. Having lived a stones throw from here about 6 or 7 years ago I for one will be mighty pleased to see this going up, will bring more development to this part of TOWN.

Looks good, thanks SleepyOne, guys. Apologies if I missed it, but does anybody know when they're going to start?

How tall is this tower meant to be, because I always asumed it was in the 60m mark, but those images make it look bigger i think??

Brill video though

All in all Im definitely something of a convert to this development and its sutainable features are a particular plus point such as...


Good to hear. I must say I expected quatilty from the very first renders. Cheap towers do not embelish such striking form (look at tempus and Skyline central for cheap towers). It does go to show that people are much more fickle nowadays and need to see lots and lots of pretty CGI's to be convinced. Probably a good thing though to cut down on the chances of another Bailey building being built in the 21st century (oh, err, hang on).

Call me idealistic, but I too had good vibes about this scheme. Given the partners that are involved and funding this, ie NW Water and NWDA, they have an inherent interest in creating quality, as it is there to enhance there long term interests. The public spaces look great and will really add to New Islington. Of course they are pert of the New East Manchester Regeneration area, so again I would be surprised if anything sub-standard is allowed in this area.

Looks good for Granary Wharf Jimbo!

The ISIS development from Great Ancoats Street.

http://i1.tinypic.com/n6zwuv.jpg

I really like the greenery. I think it's really important, something primal.

page 10, this thread was on. :ohno:

Anyway, start date of 12th June if anyone was wondering about the lack of activity on this important site.

Laing O'Rourke awarded contract for 200 flats

posted May 31 2006 9:01AM

Manchester, Greater Manchester, £30,000,000

Laing O'Rourke has been appointed as the main contractor for a £30 million contract in Manchester. Scheme comprises the construction of two buildings of nine and 21 storeys to include 71 one-bedroom, 103 two-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom apartments and two restaurant units. Broadway Malyan is the architect, Davis Langdon is the quantity surveyor, Arup is the structural engineer and Buro Happold is the mechanical and electrical engineer. Works are due to start on site June 12th, 2006.

Nice one Sleepy,,looking forward to this one starting.

CAW now this is about to start, can H , have an H in the the Wharf please :)

lol

Nice one Sleepy,,looking forward to this one starting.

CAW now this is about to start, can H , have an H in the the Wharf please :)

No it/he/H can't! :)

This one should actually start this coming monday.

Cheer's Craigo , hope this is the start of a new wave of development start's this summer :)

yes, they were erecting hoardings today.

Slightly concerned that there was no mention of the promised 4 bed apartments in the piece I posted yesterday - plenty of 1, 2 and 3 beds but seemingly no 4 beds in phase one. That's disappointing, but this is still a major development in a pivotol location and absolutely crucial that it provides the impetus for the sort of scale and quality of development needed in an area where we are still aparently building retail warehouses. (Id be interested to know how the UDP envisages the development of the Great Ancoats Street area - Craig??).

Probably just promised 4 Beds to get through planning and thet have got 'lost' in the final design stage.
Anyway - it seems a good team involved on this one - good contractors and competent architects, dont know much about the developer, but overall this looks smarter than the average bear.

All system's go onsite :)

Lots of activity now, its offically u/c :)

I get the bus past this everyday, glad theyve finally started clearing away the crap, seems like its been a dumping ground forever the amount of rubbish there is there.

The Isis Wharf development will do wonder's for this area ,it will be the begining of the city centre being linked to the New Islington area .

The White House pub and adjoining shop's are nearly cleared now , and i would'nt be surpised if the Presbar factory moves in the near future , with it being right next to the canal , it would be snapped up very quick.

Should be seeing a couple of cranes going up in the next 2 weeks :)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0870.jpg

Islington Wharf site this afternoon

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0901.jpg

Two article's and the fly through.(for those who haven't seen it yet)

Britain's new apartment boom: can't we do more than just add water?
Text © Hugh Pearman, images courtesy Isis Waterside Regeneration. Fuller version of the article first published in The Sunday Times, London, on January 22 2006, as "Canals on a new path".

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisBrumWarwickBar_03a.jpg

We all know the problem by now: city centres all over Britain are rapidly being rediscovered as places to live, but the places that get built to live in are pretty much all the same: blocks of Identikit apartments aimed squarely at the investor market. Some are a lot better than others but there's not much variation, and certainly hardly anything fit for families. Homes with gardens? Forget it, mate, get back to the suburbs. Still, a few people are trying to do something about this and a promising new player is about to emerge: Isis Waterside Regeneration.

Isis is a developer, but a distinctly unusual one. It is independent, but umbilically linked to British Waterways, which set it up as a public-private venture in 2002 along with builders AMEC, and financiers Morley Investment. It was launched at the Government's "Urban Summit" of 2002, and it has a mission to regenerate: half of its profits will be ploughed back into the waterways network. And it is doing big work: these days it has over £1 billion of development planned on 170 acres of post-industrial waterside land in nine cities across the UK. Since it has not been around long, it doesn't have much to show yet, but that is about to change. On January 28 Isis launches its Islington Wharf project in Manchester.

Now the waterways - which a few years back were extraordinarily under-used and under-exploited, and rather wonderful as a consequence - are these days bursting with brand-new £100,000 private narrowboats.and ever-expanding hire fleets. Where you used to chug almost unnoticed through cities, today you float from one waterside apartment, shopping or office complex to the next. From London's Paddington Basin via Birmingham's Brindleyplace to Manchester's historic Castelfield district, our once-neglected waterway assets are being squeezed for every penny they're worth. And they are worth a lot, since everyone has now discovered that a property on the canal or riverside can be sold, on average, for 20 per cent more than an identical property with dry feet.

So the canalside apartment has become something of a cliché. The most recent Adrian Mole novel by Sue Townsend finds our hero living in an unaffordable loft-style apartment next to the Grand Union Canal in Leicester, where his life is made hell by a particularly aggressive swan. Since Mole is the Charles Pooter of our day (as immortalised in the richly comic Victorian "Diary of a Nobody"), this means that a canalside apartment is today's equivalent of Pooter's little new-built suburban villa in Holloway: The Laurels, Brickfield Terrace. Like those sliced-loaf speculative 19th century homes, most of today's apartments are built rapidly, to a formula. It's a bit depressing. So can Isis Waterside offer anything different?

I thought not, at first. But the company claims to be trying to mix up the types of homes they build, to have lots of different sizes and types including, amazingly, family homes with gardens. So I went to see Isis' managing director, Mark Ryder, who inhabits an office block in Paddington with a fine view of the Great Western Railway but unfortunately none of the adjacent canal. Ryder is a man with a mission, which is to be an untypical developer. One that appeals to the widest possible market. One that - get this - actually limits the number of its properties that investors can snap up, so as to get more owner-occupiers in.

Well, that's the idea, anyway. Ryder points out the obvious - that although most such developments pay lip-service to the idea of the convivial mixed-use city, in fact they mostly fail to attract anybody apart from investors and 20-35-year-old renters. Ground floor shop units stay boarded up because there is no real community for them to serve.

"I'm passionate about moving away from this Identikit, sterile approach to developments," he says. "I see Isis as being at the forefront of this shift. What we can do is take a long-term view of regeneration, when so many of the players that have been involved for the last five to ten years have had a very short-term, purely profit-driven approach."

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisManchestertower_01a.jpg

Islington Wharf on the Ashton Canal in Manchester will be the first outing for this longer-term thinking. To be built right next to developer Urban Splash's New Islington "urban village", which also has high ideals, it thus forms part of the still wider regeneration of the whole area known as East Manchester, where the aim is to double the existing population to 60,000 and lay on all the various schools, shops, clinics and so on to serve them. That's a big job, considering that the unemployment-hit local population was haemorrhaging in the 1990s, the housing market collapsed, dereliction loomed, and around 20 per cent of existing homes are standing vacant. One thing in Islington Wharf's favour is that it is close enough to be walkable from the city centre. The spruced-up canal forms an obvious route. Just over half a mile from the main Piccadilly Station, it is also right on the planned new branch of the city's Metrolink tram system through East Manchester.

The images have that familiar computer-graphic sheen to them and the architecture is by a mainstream commercial firm, Broadway Malyan. So it would be wrong to expect too much. Later Isis schemes show that they are getting rather more sophisticated in their approach to architecture. In Manchester, however, the landmark tower is not bad, the mix of house types is indeed wider than usual - starting with one-bed flats at £105,000 and two-bedders at £160,000. There will be three and four-bed family homes with private gardens in later phases - no prices being touted yet. Across all the apartment types - there are claimed to be 40 variations - much is made of the fact that they are designed to be bigger than normal, for occupiers rather than investors.

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisManchesterpodiumgarden_01a.jpg

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisNottinghamcutaway_01a.jpg

At the heart of the 3-acre scheme is a "podium garden" (so called because it is on top of the underground car parking) which acts rather like a carefully-landscaped village green, is full of things like play areas for children and communal barbecues, and is big enough to be useful. It will look a bit odd in the early phases, but when finally all 500 homes, shops and business premises are built it ought to make a difference.

That's a start. In Leeds they are doing something broadly similar, but for me Isis Waterside starts to get more interesting with schemes in other cities that are further down the line. True, their plans to revive the canal corridor through Glasgow, for instance, are so far notable not so much for the architecture as for the clever engineering of a new canal basin linking previously severed sections of the canal right next to the M8 motorway. But at Trent Basin in Nottingham, things depart firmly from the norm. It's still at the pre-planning stage, but Ryder and his team, including architects Benoy, have been playing about with a much more low-rise, but still high-density plan. Short rows of terraced houses start to make a reappearance, interspersed with office and leisure buildings. It's the old dream of a place where you can live, work and play without having to travel miles between all three. I hope the concept survives, and that they mix up a number of different architects to provide variety.

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisBrumWarwickBar_01a.jpg

The signs are promising. In Birmingham Ryder ran a Europe-wide competition for his planned 4.5 acre eco-village, generating much of its own power, on an old canal loop at Warwick Bar. They have got a promising winner in the form of rising-star Bob Ghosh of locally-based Kinetic AIU architects. Birmingham, it is said, has more canals than Venice and postindustrial sites aplenty: Kinetic is becoming adept at rethinking these sites. Again, you hope the concept makes it through to reality because it's high time people started trying to make places like this different from each other, rather than all the same.

So I'd give Isis full marks for good intentions - especially for that bit about resisting fast-buck investors and encouraging city-centre family life. They call it "Buy to Live" in obvious contrast with the formulaic buy-to-let. Can they do enough to change attitudes to urban regeneration? Only tine will tell. It is notoriously difficult to make a real, varied, human place from scratch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canals on a new path

Spurred by a 20% premium on waterside property, our waterways are being regenerated. Could this also lead to fewer Identikit buy-to-let flats, and more homes that people want to live in? Hugh Pearman of The Sunday Times reports

The first phase of Islington Wharf is due for completion in autumn 2007

We all know the problem: city centres all over Britain are rapidly being rediscovered as places to live, but the places that get built to live in are all the same: blocks of Identikit flats aimed squarely at the investor market. Some are a lot better than others, but there’s not much variation and hardly anything for families. Homes with gardens? Forget it, mate, get back to the suburbs. Still, a few people are trying to do something about this, and a promising new player is emerging: Isis Waterside Regeneration.
Isis is a developer, but a distinctly unusual one. It is independent, but umbilically linked to British Waterways, which set it up as an arm’s-length public-private venture in 2002, along with builder Amec and financier Morley Investment. It was launched at the government’s “urban summit” of 2002, and it has a mission to regenerate: half of its profits will be ploughed back into the waterways network. And it is doing big work — these days it has more than £1 billion of development planned on 170 acres of post-industrial waterside land in nine cities across the UK. Next Saturday, Isis launches its Islington Wharf project in Manchester, the first phase of which is expected to be completed by autumn 2007.

Now, the waterways — which a few years back were underused — are bursting with £100,000 private narrow boats and ever-expanding hire fleets. Where you used to chug almost unnoticed through cities, today you float from one waterside apartment, shopping or office complex to the next. From London’s Paddington Basin via Birmingham’s Brindleyplace to Manchester’s Castlefield district, our once-neglected waterway assets are being squeezed for every penny they ’re worth. And they are worth a lot, since everybody has discovered that a waterside property can be sold, on average, for 20% more than an identical property with dry feet.

So the canalside flat has become something of a cliché. The most recent Adrian Mole novel by Sue Townsend finds our hero living in an unaffordable loft-style apartment next to the Grand Union Canal in Leicester, where his life is made hell by a particularly aggressive swan. Like those sliced-loaf speculative 19th-century homes, most of today’s apartments are built rapidly, to a formula. Can Isis Waterside offer anything different? The company claims to be trying to mix up the types of homes it builds, to have lots of sizes and types including, amazingly, family homes with gardens. I went to see Isis’s managing director, Mark Ryder. He is a man with a mission, which is to be an untypical developer. One who appeals to the widest possible market. One who — get this — limits the number of properties that investors can snap up, so as to get more owner-occupiers in.

Well, that’s the idea, anyway. Ryder points out that although most such developments pay lip service to the idea of the convivial mixed-use city, in fact they mostly fail to attract anybody, apart from investors and 20- to 35-year-old renters. Ground-floor shop units stay boarded up because there is no real community for them to serve.

“What we can do is take a long-term view of regeneration, when so many of the players that have been involved for the past five to 10 years have had a short-term, profit-driven approach.”

Islington Wharf, on the Ashton Canal in Manchester, will be the first outing for this longer-term thinking. To be built right next to Urban Splash’s New Islington “urban village”, which also has high ideals, it thus forms part of the wider regeneration of the whole area known as east Manchester, where the aim is to double the existing population to 60,000 and lay on all the various schools, shops and clinics to serve them. That’s a big job, considering that the unemployment-hit local population was haemorrhaging in the 1990s, the housing market collapsed, dereliction loomed and about 20% of existing homes are vacant.

One thing in Islington Wharf’s favour is that it is close enough to be walkable from the city centre. The spruced-up canal forms an obvious route. Just over half a mile from the main Piccadilly station, it is also right on the planned new branch of the city’s Metrolink tram system.

The architecture is by a mainstream commercial firm, Broadway Malyan. So it would be wrong to expect too much. Later Isis schemes show that they are getting more sophisticated in their architectural approach. In Manchester, however, the landmark tower is not bad; the mix of house types is indeed wider than usual, starting with one-bed flats at £105,000 and two-beds at £160,000. There will be three- and four-bed family homes with private gardens in later phases — no prices being touted yet. Across all the home types — there are claimed to be 40 variations — much is made of the fact that they are designed to be bigger than normal, for occupiers rather than investors.

At the heart of the three-acre scheme is a “podium garden” (so called because it is on top of the underground car parking), which acts like a carefully landscaped village green. It will look odd in the early phases, but when all 500 homes, shops and business premises are built, it ought to make a difference.

That’s a start. In Leeds, they are doing something broadly similar, but, for me, Isis Waterside starts to get more interesting with schemes in other cities that are further down the line. True, the plans to revive the canal corridor through Glasgow, for instance, are so far notable not so much for the architecture as for the clever engineering of a new canal basin linking previously severed sections of the canal next to the M8 motorway. But at Trent Basin in Nottingham, things depart firmly from the norm. It’s still at the pre- planning stage, but Ryder and his team have been playing about with a more low-rise, but still high-density plan. Short rows of terraced houses start to make a reappearance, interspersed with office and leisure buildings. It’s the old dream of a place where you can live, work and play without having to travel miles between all three. I hope the concept survives and that they mix up a number of different architects to provide variety.

The signs are promising. In Birmingham, Ryder ran a Europe-wide competition for Isis’s planned 4½-acre eco-village, generating much of its own power, on an old canal loop at Warwick Bar. He has got a promising winner in the form of local architect Bob Ghosh.

Isis calls it “buy-to-live”, in obvious contrast to the formulaic buy-to-let. Can it do enough to change attitudes to urban regeneration? Only time will tell. It is notoriously difficult to create a real, varied, human place from scratch.

Isis, www.isis.gb.com; agents Knight Frank, 08701 622 522, www.knightfrank.com

2 tower cranes were going up today :)

Thanks jrb, highriser.

Islington Wharf site today

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1035.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1032.jpg

Taling about cranes, why do they here in Spain use remote controlled cranes, and back home we have them with driver/operator cabs on them?

Just interested, there must be pros and cons to both approaches.

Why are bentleys hand assembled and nissans by a robot? Lets not take everyone's jobs to the machines shall we. Seriously though, Cameras are never as good as the human eye for spacial awareness which is also the reason we still have fighter pilots operating fast jets and not 17 year old kids at a keyboard.

The main core's are shooting up on this one ,, i'll try and get some pic's this week :)

Here's the latest at Islington Wharf

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1078_0001.jpg

I cant believe how quickly this has progressed in comparison to Sarah.

Looks like the next set of projects are looking good for 2007.

Here's the latest at Islington Wharf

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1078_0001.jpg

It's going to be a great tower (if they do the detailing right)... the successor to the demolished Maths Tower?

Yup. But it's not the same puppy, Daddy.

http://www.isis.gb.com/templates/islingtonWharf/images/home_image.jpg

http://www.ma.man.ac.uk/DeptWeb/Tower1.jpg

Meh. Close enough.

Saturday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture084.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture085.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture086.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture087.jpg

A new community in the making
Jill Burdett

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/31.$plit/C_17_Articles_227695_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg
ISIS: Stylish interiors

THERE'S an awful lot happening around the old canals of Ancoats - or at least there should be.

While many of the much-trumpeted schemes are still on the drawing board, newcomer Islington Wharf is already powering skyward at the rate, I am told, of a storey every ten days.

So, at about the end of February next year, the14 storey tower that slants out over the canal should have reached its full height and you will have some idea of the scale of the scheme happening here.

The Wharf, seen as the main road gatepost to the whole of New Islington, will hopefully be much more than just some new blocks of apartments, however striking and well fitted.

What they are trying to do here is create a new area that will be sustainable with independent shops fronting Great Ancoats Street, a new bar/restaurant on the widened canal towpath and in the second phase a supermarket (think Tesco Metro) and a mid-range hotel.

Potential

The developer is ISIS, an off-shoot of British Waterways, formed to exploit the potential of its canal side landholdings. Their new Manchester headquarters will be in the former lock-keepers cottages.

Half of any profits will go back into managing the country's waterways though, in truth, with ambitious schemes like this, they are a long way from that point.

Simon Howard, national sales and marketing director with ISIS, said: "We are genuinely trying to develop a thriving new community here and we are already in talks with several hotel operators.

"We are very conscious that regeneration is more than just new housing."

But they are also being bold with the housing on offer here, building some large three and four bedroom two storey houses with private backgardens into the base of both the first two blocks. They have not been brave enough to release them for sale just yet concluding, probably rightly, that famililies may want to see a bit more completed before putting their Gatley semi on the market - but they have just offered one three bedder up to test the interest.



http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/31.$plit/C_17_Articles_227695_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg
IMPRESSIVE: Islington Wharf

The design, by Manchester architects Broadway Malyan, creates a private podium garden above the shops and car parking, complete with grass and trees and children's play area and grass roofed gazebo.

Since they launched in January they have sold 60 apartments, half in the tower and half in the eight storey block parallel to the road. The Tower has undoubtedly attracted most interest but, pound per square foot, is more expensive.

Howard revealed: "A lot of people have come in starting out wanting the tower but end up buying in the block."

It all comes down to what you get for your money. And the inside spec is the same in both buildings with an overall feeling of classy chic, from the huge square basins in the bathrooms to the glossy cream kitchens, oak flooring and big internal doors.

There are 43 different apartment layouts from smallish one bedders to a huge three-bed duplex penthouse which, at 1850 sq ft, is really a family house 14 storeys up.

Features

And the main feature of them all is the glass. The marketing suite is actually Apt type 14 currently available in Block A for £224,000 and the main living/kitchen/dining area has two walls of floor to ceiling glass in chunky black frames that slope outwards at three degrees.

Both of the two bedrooms have a slim full height window and another small oblong one at waist level. You wouldn't think it would work but it does - this is eye level when you are reading the papers in bed on a Sunday morning.

The apartments are not over blessed with any built-in storage and it's a shame they have not included any even in the big bathrooms but, in the show unit, the rooms are big enough to cope with free standing pieces.

More apartments were released for sale last weekend, starting at £122,000 for a 435sq ft one bedder on the third floor to a podium duplex at £287,000 for 1,108 sq ft.

There's also an interesting big one bedder on the top floor of the block overlooking the canal and the city at £169,500 for 672sq ft. But they are not offering car park spaces - at an extra £17,500 - with the one bedders.

Worth remembering, though, that this is a regeneration area so you will not pay stamp duty up to £150,000, meaning an extra £1,500 stays in your pocket and not Mr Brown's.

FOR more information contact the sales office on 08701 622 522 or log onto the website listed below.


A particularly apt demonstration as to why I think Salford and Manchester's recent policy declarations in terms of restricting high density flatted development to central locations as potentially clumsy, unnecessary and short sighted. ISIS together with a handful of other developents demonstrate high density can be family friendly as well as characterful and green whilst also helping sustain those all important services which we all want within walking distance.

Its moving fast because Liang O'Rorke are proper contractors, and Arup are the engineers, they work together alot.

Here are some pictures from inside New Islington. Sorry I dont have time to go looking the correct thread, this is close enough.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/chasedwar/DSC02033.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/chasedwar/DSC02034.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/chasedwar/DSC02025.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/chasedwar/DSC02024.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/chasedwar/DSC02019.jpg

A particularly apt demonstration as to why I think Salford and Manchester's recent policy declarations in terms of restricting high density flatted development to central locations as potentially clumsy, unnecessary and short sighted. ISIS together with a handful of other developents demonstrate high density can be family friendly as well as characterful and green whilst also helping sustain those all important services which we all want within walking distance.

Dont be under any illusions Sleepy - this is not developer led but this comes from the planners (which i think is what you are saying isnt it?)
Essentially its a case of the planners saying 'give us some 'family' homes or you dont get planning permission'. I'm sure the developers couldnt give a shit.

Dont be under any illusions Sleepy - this is not developer led but this comes from the planners (which i think is what you are saying isnt it?)
Essentially its a case of the planners saying 'give us some 'family' homes or you dont get planning permission'. I'm sure the developers couldnt give a shit.

This may be true but I think you misunderstand the thrust of my point. My complaint is that it is totally unnecessary for Manchester and Salford city councils to try to formulate policy to restrict "high density flatted development" outside of the city centre for reasons of sustainability when we are seeing highly sustainable, high density, family freindly schemes being built right now.

They are falsely equating "high density" and "flats" with a negative and restricted sterotype; disregarding the many positive aspects of high density development and some of the innovations taking place.

Islington Wharf starting to shoot up now.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1111.jpg?t=1163944865

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1112.jpg?t=1163944982

Taken yesterday.

Core coming along nicely.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture194-2.jpg

Taken yesterday.

Core coming along nicely.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture194-2.jpg

Are the red cranes the site of the Chips building?

They sure are PR :)

To be honest, (from the pictures at least) it does not look a lot has happened since Novembers picture. Ill have to have a walk down when it finally stops raining!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c388/Corris_/IMAG0037.jpg

I drove past this on Sunday night and it looks petty big.

hey guys
im looking at buying property in the area
is there a brochure online about the apartments being built around Islington Wharf, dimensions, prices etc
cheers in advance

Has anyone got any photographs of that new PC World that has been built just around the corner from this?

I quite like it, even though it is a faux deconstructionist style (or at least that's how I see it!)

Has anyone got any photographs of that new PC World that has been built just around the corner from this?

I quite like it, even though it is a faux deconstructionist style (or at least that's how I see it!)

My mate works in there. He says its always dead quite and it will never pay its self off.

Adam

Have you seen the Islington Wharf website? They have floor plans and prices for all unsold apartments in the scheme. I guess resale flats will start appearing as the scheme approaches completion through the usual city estate agents.

http://www.isis.gb.com/islingtonwharf/

Proper full sized flats too. I have to say my six hundred odd sq ft can feel a little cramped at times. In fact I could almost be tempted by apartment 20, but not sure if I'd want to live over Gt Ancoats St, particularly in the summer when I'd want my windows open

cheers dude
still not shouting out "buy me" i must admit

Two photos I took yesterday..

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7079/islington1ti0.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3640/islington2xk8.jpg

You will get a pretty good skyline view over the city from many of the apartments in the tower when built!

Thanks MP. That other one is nice too.

Islington Wharf as gone up a couple more floors.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1301.jpg?t=1172415568

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1302.jpg?t=1172415630

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1307.jpg?t=1172415673

From Piccadilly Basin

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1349_0001.jpg?t=1173811425

Yes, you can see the core now from quite a few places on that side of the city!

walked past this at 11pm last night. Constrruction was still being done. Crane was lifting and all.....

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/0c959812.jpg

CALL FOR GRAND DESIGNS AT ISLINGTON WHARF
26 March 2007

ISIS TO RELEASE DESIGN COMPETITION FOR PHASE II OF ITS INNOVATIVE SCHEME IN MANCHESTER
AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MANCHESTER TALENT
ISIS Waterside Regeneration (ISIS) has today (26th March) launched their design competition for Phase II of its landmark development, Islington Wharf in Manchester and is seeking to appoint architects with an excellent track record in good design and deliverability to undertake the detailed design.
Islington Wharf, ‘the gateway to the Millennium Community of New Islington’, is on a 3-acre site on the banks of the Ashton canal on the edge of Manchester city centre. When completed, the development will consist of over 500 homes, retail, and leisure and business space.
The competition, launched today, will provide an ideal opportunity for Manchester based architects to come forward and be in with the chance to work on the city’s new landmark and build on the success of Phase I, due for completion in May 08, comprising 200 residential units and leisure opportunities.
The competition is in two stages, with the deadline for the first stage - the open invitation for expression of interest - set for Friday 13th April at 5pm.
During the second stage, a shortlist of five architects will be asked to submit their detailed ideas including sketch proposals. Each practice will then be asked to present their proposals to a design panel, which will include representatives from ISIS, New East Manchester and the Manchester Society of Architects.
Launching the call for entries, Mark Ryder, Chief Executive of ISIS said, “Anyone who knows ISIS, knows that our philosophy is based on creating places that will inspire new ways of living in cities - not only more families, but more living space, more choice of housing, more intelligence in design – a commitment to building real communities – we call it our ‘buy to live’ philosophy.”
He continued, “Islington Wharf is the gateway to the new Millennium Community in East Manchester, and we are therefore delighted to be working with New East Manchester and the Manchester Society of Architects during the design competition selection process. Working together will ensure that the successful proposal will reflect ISIS’s philosophy and be distinctive and of the highest quality of design. We are hoping Manchester’s greatest architectural talent will enter the competition; it would be a real coup to have a local firm contributing towards a revitalised, healthy and prosperous East Manchester."
Tom Russell, Chief Executive of NEM said, “We’re delighted that ISIS has decided to keep design excellence at the top of their agenda as we believe it is crucial for long term sustainability. We’re looking forward to seeing a strong showing from Manchester talent in this competition”
Ian Bright, President of The Manchester Society of Architects said,
“The scale of development over recent years, in and around the Manchester city centre, has been unprecedented. The areas that are benefiting from this great influx of investment are widespread across Greater Manchester. This year we have seen some iconic buildings completed giving the city a whole new development status. And there is more to come with the continuing development of East Manchester and other areas.
Many people from outside of the northwest already see Manchester as the second city. Four years ago Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games, this gave the city a rise in its prominence gaining world accreditation. It is clear that Manchester is continuing to increase in status.
It is initiatives such as architectural competitions that are realised as built projects that help to promote the city’s development and support the architects and construction teams in the continuing development of the City.”
The initial stage of the application procedure is paperless and carried out entirely on the Internet. Interested practices are asked to visit www.isis.gb.com/competition from Monday 26th March and follow the instructions.

I always welcome design competitions...

Go for it BG.

Go for it BG.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6112/bgvs1.jpg

I like this one:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1302.jpg?t=1172415630

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6112/bgvs1.jpg

That's fucking AMAZING!

We have a WINNER!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i182/macc2001/trophy.jpg

That's fucking AMAZING!

We have a WINNER!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i182/macc2001/trophy.jpg

:lol:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6112/bgvs1.jpg
....NOW we know where Alsop gets his ideas from....

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7884/0009bz6.jpg

Taken today (camera phone) after renewing my Citeh season ticket. :crazy2: :toilet: :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/city.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture4019.jpg

Is this topped out yet?

Mike ,,, the pictures will answer that question .

Pfft

What does that mean ?

:lol: It means i didn't lookat the pistures properly

Another angle on on the suitability of city living for families. Interesting that families are genuinely interested in moving into the city centre but in this case have concerns about the future saleability of their house.

Clearly there is very much more to do as articulated so very well by roverman but I think the days of allowing developers to get away with dormitories of tiny 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are over.

The city council seem determined to increase the proportion of larger apartments in city centre development and more and more schemes seem to be proposing more sustainable, innovative, adaptable and larger homes that may appeal to families. With a new school being proposed at New Islington and a greater emphasis on amenity space and high quality public spaces there is evidence that the sort of infrastructure needed to support a diversity of households is beginning to emerge in our city. Hopefully in a few more years families such as that in the following article will find a four bedroom flat at Islington Wharf an equally viable prospect as a four bedroom house in the suburbs.



Case study: Not all families ready for the city

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/891.$plit/C_17_Articles_237872_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg
STAYING PUT: The Odularu family

STEPHEN Odularu has just had second thought about moving his family from Miles Platting into one of the innovative four bedroom houses at the base of Islington Wharf in Ancoats.

The development, close to the Rochdale Canal and new Metrolink stop, is one of the first to have dedicated family friendly homes – which have their own private back gardens.

Stephen, wife Olvyemisi and children Lydia, Emmanuel, Faith and Rachel, reserved not only one of the houses but also two apartments, one in each block, but have just given back word on the house.

Stephen said: “We did not know whether our investment in the house would be worthwhile, advice I got recently was that I may struggle to re-sell simply because family living in the city is not established yet.

Personally We think it would be a great thing, as I would cut down on the commute and have more time with the family, but perhaps it is a bit soon. Maybe there needs to be more family friendly things around first.”

Stephen works as a quantity surveyor in the city, but is also a pastor for the Church of New Jerusalem and says the older children would love to live close to the centre.

He said: “I like the Islington Wharf scheme and will keep an eye on things, but at the moment we are not buying the house.”

Launched at the Urban Summit in the Autumn of 2002, with a £100 million initial equity investment from British Waterways, Amec Developments and Morley Fund Management’s Igloo Fund.

Well I never, what a great Joint Venture.

Named after the Egyptian Goddess of rebirth and rejuvenation, ISIS seeks to regenerate key brownfield sites across the UK and bring new life to desolate areas.

I really like this project, the fact that it resembles the maths tower would be ironic, if it wasnt so sad.
The energy wasted in building then demolishing and rebuilding on the same site, when the maths tower could have easily been refurbished.
Why not turn it into student/key worker flats?
Talk about reducing your carbon footfrint went out of the window on that one!

Anyway back to Is wharf, I can imagine Urban Splash not being to0 keen on this being marketed as 'the gateway to New Islington' but I guess geography doesnt lie!

Its seems to be racing ahead, Liang O'rourke are fast movers. where others would still be taking soil tests :) Im not even going to mention any names :)

Really coming on now .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1406.jpg?t=1179918010

Another angle .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1412.jpg?t=1179919096

Taken from Gateway House today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture064.jpg

If I were you jrb I would try and take some more pictures from that view. You won't be able to see it (Isis) in a few years time.

To the left of your picture you can just see the canal and the bridge (Jutland St ??). Not so long ago I can remember mooring my narrowboat there when I worked at Paradise Wharf. There used to be a floating restaurant in the arm. Many happy hours spent on its open deck with beer in hand. Don't like whats there now. Its cold, its clinical it has no soul, the buildings are too close to the canal and too tall. All the buildings in this area have turned their back on the canal. It is to be hoped that the Eastgate Tower does not do the same. It needs to part of that area otherwise it will become a scally alley. At the very worst an extension to 101 Piccadilly.

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/gw1ik0.jpg

here's wot i thought were new renders of islington wharf, but its the leeds equivelent. im confused now.

So why post it?

to upset you!

actually no, this is an isis development and its interesting to see how they r all very similar with similar cladding.

Just to let you all know. The cladding has made an appearance! The glass looks great next to the main facade material, which semi resembles that of below. I had doubts about this one, but now, I really think its going to work!

Check it out. Its on the side towards the COMS.

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2984805/2/istockphoto_2984805_sandpaper_s_texture.jpg

As Manc Guy said , the cladding and windows are now starting to go in .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1426.jpg?t=1181244173

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1435.jpg?t=1181244354

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1431.jpg?t=1181244413

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1432.jpg?t=1181244461

looks rather funkier (and better) than the Leeds renders

bit chillier though

lol. i like the leeds one better ;) and not because i'm biased lol.

do we think the leeds one will have the same cladding? As your right it doesnt look too bad, and will probabaly look better than some of the cheap plastic look cladding that's gone up on developments recently

Not been on here for a while - does anybody by any chance have any recent photos of the site around here as well as adjacent new builds that they could kindly share - thanks!

Here you go Chansau , last week


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1463.jpg?t=1186429216

I really don't like the red bricks on the lowrise portion of this.

Taken this week.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture4078.jpg

Drove up Great Ancoats Street this afternoon from Ardwick. As you pass PC World and come to the top of the road (hill) before it drops again, bang! ISIS hits you. It looks massive.

Drove up Great Ancoats Street this afternoon from Ardwick. As you pass PC World and come to the top of the road (hill) before it drops again, bang! ISIS hits you. It looks massive.

Yeah, it seems to look a lot bigger than I expected from most places. It looks massive when you travel on the road between it and the Artisan mill (can't think of it's name and can't be arsed looking). If you turn 180 there though you see something even more massive. City.

Pollard Street.

Whilst having a shufty at this, I nearly drove into the back of a car at the junction on Great Ancoats Street. Looks great with Beetham and Piccadilly Place rising in the background.

Pollard Street.

Whilst having a shufty at this, I nearly drove into the back of a car at the junction on Great Ancoats Street. Looks great with Beetham and Piccadilly Place rising in the background.

Welcome SteKnight. This whole area will be truly stunning when it's finished and be a genuine extension of the city centre. Just keeps getting better.

A few taken today of Maths Tower 2.0 -

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee85/mancplanner_2007/5.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee85/mancplanner_2007/8.jpg

Gravity needs to get under way now!

It really does look amazing when arriving into Piccadilly Station and when Gravity gets started it will be even more amazing around that area.

Lookin huge..

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1094/1464273806_a472e99f39_b.jpg

Thanks to Peaman off Flickr.

Hi all, new on here. Must say this has got to be the prettiest building in town!

Hi all, new on here. Must say this has got to be the prettiest building in town!

It's great isn't it and looks different from every angle. It throws down a real marker for the area.

Newbie here
worked on the RC frame of Isis

View from level 20 is great
clear day get full panorama and can see as far as Moel Fammau beyond Mold

though the small windows in the sndstone cladding make some of the rooms very dark inside.

view from level 14
http://img.geocaching.com/cache/e70275c0-832a-4e01-9c0b-6ee14bf784d8.jpg
taken a few months ago looking down on the ashton canal towards eastlands.

Sweet!

Are they knocking that down?

No its listed. One of the developers (cant remember who) is turning into their offices.

Ah - good.

Are they knocking that down?

The (Lock-keepers) Cottage? The external refurb is complete now. I was kind of hoping it would serve cakes and pastries- a quaint little tea room, but hey. It does look great around there now and of course will only get better.

Any more bargee?
Do you often work on tall buildings?

Islington Wharf

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1625_0002.jpg?t=1193153379

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1623_0002.jpg?t=1193153477

And that little house next to the site as been done up .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1619_0002.jpg?t=1193153513

heh, quite an amusing picture that. :)

Reminds me of the mock-ups Martin G did of beetham looming over his street in stockport.

Islington Wharf

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1625_0002.jpg?t=1193153379


So, so good! :)

Topped out last week. Article and pictures.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNw86JlOiNwB6IaqiNwA&realname=Isis_Rising

Topped out last week. Article and pictures.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co...me=Isis_Rising

Gotta say Im impressed with this development. Unusual architeturally and in urban design; it was the unconventional urban design together with the complex shape and bizarre orientation of the tower block that put me off initially. I have to say it works very well here. The whole thing looks extremely impressive from any angle but particularly from Great Ancoats Street. Its really lifted the area. Im happy to be eating humble pie in this instance!


Anyone remember the design competition they ran for phase II? I'm eager to see the results of that.



A new tower tops out in the East of the city


Isis at Islington Wharf in Ancoats was topped out by Manchester’s Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein last week.

The first phase featuring a twenty storey tower will release 200 apartments – 105 of which have already been snapped up. Simon Howard of Isis told Confidential, “We’re pleased with the sales. This is our first scheme and we decided from the beginning to not allow any bulk deals - where investors buy large numbers of apartments from plan. This should give the developments a diverse population in occupation from the start.”

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/images/20071411isis2.jpg

Prices range from £144k to £700k for the penthouse, which enjoys one of the best unrestricted 360˚ views in the city.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/images/20071411isis4.jpg

Architect Matt Brook of Broadway Malyan explained the design idea. “Manchester is built on red sandstone. I’ve imagined an outcrop of sandstone protruding out of the bedrock at an angle. The windows are angled to look like veins of copper –of the type you might find in Alderley Edge.”

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/images/20071411isis1.jpg

Sir Howard Bernstein remarked that, “I see this as being very much a commercial success but also a regeneration one for New East Manchester. Commercial requirements and regeneration don’t always go together: but that’s been achieved here.”

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/images/20071411isis3.jpg


Phase 1 should be fully completed by June 2008.

So this is 20 stories and how tall is it in meters? I've been looking back through the thread and can't seem to find a figure. Am guessing its between 55-70 odd..... anyway its looks good and from the pics you can't really tell the size. It looks miles bigger in person.

Theres two side to this one.

Ones been so far photographed (good) the other side (bad).

Islington Wharf nearing completion now .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1739.jpg?t=1198936057

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1738.jpg?t=1198936121

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1736.jpg?t=1198936160

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1734.jpg?t=1198936194

I'm not too keen on the curtain wall frontage, it looks a little unfinished, would be nice with just a little detailing or something to break up the floor to ceiling glass

I'm not too keen on the curtain wall frontage, it looks a little unfinished, would be nice with just a little detailing or something to break up the floor to ceiling glass

Ferge ,, guess what .

it is unfinished :laugh:

looks quite clever/ sensible with the staircase sides, means everyone gets a view in at least 2 directions. something you don't get in the central apartments on beetham tower.

as for the bricks facing the road.. not sure i like it, they hit me as cheap and 80s, but i'm sure it is useful for keeping traffic noise out.

not sure i like this one - promised much in the renders and my initial impressions were good when construction was taking place but now it is nearly complete I think the all brick/all glass combo just looks strange & unattractive - lets hope the finish is of good quality!

cant wait for gravity and possibly chapletown to start rising in the area - will have a nice little cluster there! :)

yes 3 towers within 100 metres of eachother in an equidistant triangle :D

This looks quite nice .

I think this is quality. I prefer it to Skyline Central.

I really like this one, a very unique design. There does seem to be an awful lot of completely transparent glass though, considering it's a residential tower.

I think this is quality. I prefer it to Skyline Central.

You mean people like Skyline Central? People don't just think of it as cheap-looking, heavy, and somehow resembling a shrapnel victim?

You mean people like Skyline Central? People don't just think of it as cheap-looking, heavy, and somehow resembling a shrapnel victim?

I quite like Skyline Central!

I quite like Skyline Central!

i do to. just the area is rough. i've been up it, but decided it was a bit over my budget :) , anyone else?

the area around Skyline Central is'nt rough ,, theres some drama queens on here .

the area around Skyline Central is'nt rough ,, theres some drama queens on here .

i do to. just the area is rough. i've been up it, but decided it was a bit over my budget :) , anyone else?

Going out of town it gets a bit rougher, but not til you're a fair bit past the (mighty) Marble Arch. Going back into the city- well it's like you never left, especially now th Crowne Plaza is up.

I did notice driving through the other day that one of the surface car parks behind Skyline Central has been fenced off. Don't West Properties own all of that land, with a masterplan proposed? I seem to think hearing that they do.

the area around Skyline Central is'nt rough ,, theres some drama queens on here .

wtf was that deserved?? maybe go for a walk mate

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/707SkylineCentral_pic2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/707SkylineCentral_pic4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/707SkylineCentral_pic31.jpg

can i just say though that i really really liked walking round inside skyline central. it was awesome. extremely awesome and i miss it in fact. the top floor is also the highest i've ever stood in my life. :cool:

Ouch!

:( :( :( :( :(

I am really disappointed by the backside of this. I was in Manchester yesterday and spotted a tall building away from town and thought it was pretty gross. I didn't realise it was this :(

I was so hopeful from the renders, and don't get me wrong, the 'nice' side is great:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1623_0002.jpg?t=1193153477

Which is I suppose what you see on the renders:

http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/IsisManchestertower_01a.jpg

But this is the side visible from the railway and it is pretty bad IMO:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1736.jpg?t=1198936160

And the lowrise bit looks a bit naff with the brick. It might improve once it is finished I suppose.

Another thing I do like, however, are the large boxy-windows - it looks like a lot of thought has gone into this as a resi building and most/all of the flats have large windows designed to allow good views and make the flats light and airy :)

I think its cool. Its in/near Ancoats and its historic mills. Mills are made of bricks and so is some of this. The brick perspective fronts the Ancoats elevation, whilst the city centre perspective displays its all-glass side.

The quirky angled windows add a bit of modern character to the brick side and remove any risk of it looking like a council flat. I think it achieves this without looking gimiky.

Good point about the windows too, Bio. Very practical. As you say it does seem like a lot of thought has one into the design, unlike various other Manc buildings I could mention.

It's too bad the worst side is facing town!

The bad side is clad in sandstone isn't it?

I agree that if Ancoats is bricky, then efforts should be made to integrate the building with the historic aesthetic, but this doesn't carry it off for me. My first thought when passing it on the train was that it looked a bit council-blocky (the side in the last pic). It is a very heavy building on the skyline when viewed from that side, something which is exacerbated by its low-rise surroundings. I don't think the repetition of the same treatment helps (the sandstone face with the 'jaunty' angles glass repeats 3 times) - something that has been employed extensively in London and Leeds yet is rarely successful for me.

I think what dispmayed me is the contrast between the 2 sides - one is elegant but modern and quite exciting, and one is blocky and stern.

The low-rise section is brick. The tower is a just a similar colour.

Wasn't the architect's reasoning behind the use of sandstone that that's what a lot of the bedrock in Manchester is, and it was almost supposed to resemble a quarry? So heavy, stern, blocky ... all part of the plan really. Can't say I have any problem with that elevation.

Just on Skyline Central again, the design and finishing when viewed from the street is really my only problem with the development. I haven't been inside the buildings, but I've been in the little courtyard between them, and was impressed that, despite the tropical palms looking a little frightened and abused by January in Manchester, it does feel like a sanctuary/haven, and the overall ambition of the place (top floor lap pool facing the city centre, etc.) is terrific. Unfortunately the cladding looks cheap, even though I can't imagine it would have been.

Sorry, I know this an Isis thread. Zipped now.

The bad side is clad in sandstone isn't it?

I agree that if Ancoats is bricky, then efforts should be made to integrate the building with the historic aesthetic, but this doesn't carry it off for me. My first thought when passing it on the train was that it looked a bit council-blocky (the side in the last pic). It is a very heavy building on the skyline when viewed from that side, something which is exacerbated by its low-rise surroundings. I don't think the repetition of the same treatment helps (the sandstone face with the 'jaunty' angles glass repeats 3 times) - something that has been employed extensively in London and Leeds yet is rarely successful for me.

I think what dispmayed me is the contrast between the 2 sides - one is elegant but modern and quite exciting, and one is blocky and stern.

Hmm looks more a sand paper to me :ohno:

it's good to contrast isis with skyline central, they share a few similarities. i agree about the cladding- it looks like a laminated kitchen worktop. anyone know what it's made out of?

My opinions have turned 180 degrees from initially disliking the design to liking it more and more. I really think its a sopsisticated, all be it unconventional piece of design with extra brownie points awarded for the large units aimed at families, together with the private and communal gardens all serving to give this development a real edge.

the following quote from the architect might help to demystify the design,
Architect Matt Brook of Broadway Malyan explained the design idea. “Manchester is built on red sandstone. I’ve imagined an outcrop of sandstone protruding out of the bedrock at an angle. The windows are angled to look like veins of copper –of the type you might find in Alderley Edge.” taken from the following article, heralding the topping out ceremony. http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/property/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNw86JlOiNwB6IaqiNwA&realname=Isis_Rising

That sounds like a bit of archi-speak nonsense for me. Fine if that is what the inspiration is drawn from, but to say that the building resembles an outcrop is rubbish, and I doubt the man in the street would have that cross his mind.

I am glad I have read that comment - it at least helps me understand what they have done, but it still doesn't change the aethetic of the building. If it was a single storey community centre then I can see that the outcrop idea would work, but not with a 20 storey tower (or whatever it is).

I am sure that it has been value-engineered by the contractor and client so it won't quite be what the architect imagined anyway.

I'm with Sleepy - used to hate it , now think its pretty good.
Perhaps not 180 degrees bit maybe 110.
It doesnt remind me of anything else or looks like it belongs in Leeds - which are both good things.

Islington Wharf looking up Gt Ancoats St .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1775.jpg?t=1200074834

Is it really sandstone? The times I've driven up Great Ancoats Street (admittedly not usually in the best of light) I honestly thought it looked like a very thin covering, like the sheets of roofing felt you'd stick on a shed roof.

I think it looks really great.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2195293100_20d6ff360d_o.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee85/mancplanner_2007/Issa01.jpg

i've just realised what this has been reminding me of!

http://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/~higham/photos/mathstower_demol_long/050810-1505-50_0753_std.jpg
(not my pic)

got some more pics of it other day btw http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=1724

e.g.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1724ISISWharfTower_pic25.jpg

Call me weird but I always think of this when I see this building!:)
http://www.vegatransports.com.au/starwars/OTC/sandcrawler_arrives.jpg

what in gods name is that??? :) but yes i agree

Finishing touches .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_1805.jpg?t=1201960070

http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/14663-1/ba02817.jpg

can we get rid of the retail park please?

What's being built behind Central Retail Park at the moment (in the top right of the photo above)?

Ste , that a new NHS doctor's , its now finished and open .

Thanks Highriser. See, I would agree about getting rid of the retail park, but I doubt the outlets would want to move - I remember someone telling me that that branch of Argos is their second-largest store in the UK in terms of sales, so I can't imagine there being a great incentive for them to leave this location. Some sort of facelift wouldn't go amiss, though.

aren't a few of the units at that retail park empty?

islington wharf photos updated on skyscrapernews. here's one of them

shame about the dull weather then, be good to see some pics in the weather we've been having today
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1724ISISWharfTower_pic39.jpg

I noticed some sizeable (at a guess 4metres tall/ 2m wide) shiny copper panels, at the base of the smaller block, on the side fronting Ancoats. I wonder iof these will be similar to the smaller panels on Picc Place that weather? They had previoulsy escaped the (my) radar.

Luvverley!

Thanks Highriser. See, I would agree about getting rid of the retail park, but I doubt the outlets would want to move - I remember someone telling me that that branch of Argos is their second-largest store in the UK in terms of sales, so I can't imagine there being a great incentive for them to leave this location. Some sort of facelift wouldn't go amiss, though.


I think Great Ancoats Street and the area in gneral would be enhanced if these car park fronted shops fucked off, and in there place street facing shops, with multi storey car parks built in their place out the way.

I think Great Ancoats Street and the area in gneral would be enhanced if these car park fronted shops fucked off, and in there place street facing shops, with multi storey car parks built in their place out the way.

After thinking about it (and it didn't take a lot of thought), you're right; their shite and need to go. They are completely letting the area down.

Cladding on the lower portion of the lower block fronting Great Ancoats Street is copper cladding similar to 3 Piccadilly Place.

This really has turned out great.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture086.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture085.jpg

From last friday - Ashburys station..

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/516/1002546am1.jpg

Very nice manny...

The arndale tower needs some serious renovation looking at that photo.

I didn't realise the copper cladding was being put all the way up the tower as well
(hopefully you can just make it out from this pic from behind the scaffolding):
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg270/SteKnight/ISIS001.jpg?t=1205695428

Some more copper (looking a bit dull):
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg270/SteKnight/ISIS002.jpg?t=1205695474

Uhm, not sure how keen i am on this now its nearing completion, not a fan of the tiny windows of the smaller block

The copper looks great now that the scaffolding is coming down...
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg270/SteKnight/ISIS200408.jpg?t=1208706439

I reckon the copper is the saving grace for any doubters, looking good!

If it weathers like the stuff on Piccadilly Place then it should look fairly smashing. Of course my liking for the end product of this scheme is how well it fills its family housing, community building and public realm aspirations, rather than how pretty the cladding looks, but still, currently I like it.

Uhm, not sure how keen i am on this now its nearing completion, not a fan of the tiny windows of the smaller block

Don't forget that that particular gable end with the small windows won't be that visible once the second phase is devloped on the corner of Great Ancoats Street/Old Mill Street.

anyone have any more details of the second phase?

I Personally think it looks great (and different) in the flesh from every angle.

the first four are from great ancoats street, the last one is from piccadilly village.

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/22_05_2008/isis%20wharf%20construction/IMG_4265.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/22_05_2008/isis%20wharf%20construction/IMG_4268.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/22_05_2008/isis%20wharf%20construction/IMG_4276.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/22_05_2008/isis%20wharf%20construction/IMG_4284.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/22_05_2008/isis%20wharf%20construction/IMG_4316.jpg

That looks like a very nice building .

Love it. Good work Manchester. After the CJC, this is another great midrise.

Fantastic isn't it. Surely one to scoop a few awards next year.

It's certainly one of my favourites!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Manchester/IMG_5713.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Manchester/IMG_5717.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Manchester/IMG_5719.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Manchester/IMG_5716.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Manchester/IMG_5721.jpg

second photo is a cracker, high-fi. this development will be an interesting one to photograph when it's complete.

Nearly the entire range of architectural aluminium systems from Kawneer is being installed on the landmark mixed-use Islington wharf in Manchester to meet essential requirements. These are - good thermal and acoustic performance and the movement inherent in the 21-storey tower.

http://www.buildingproducts.co.uk/products/bp10128.jpg

http://www.buildingproducts.co.uk/company-list/Kawneer-UK-Ltd/111865


the rest of the article can be purchased

Another from Sunday

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/faggotbrain/isisedit.jpg

Anyone got any idea of when this will be open? or is it already?

I Personally think it looks great (and different) in the flesh from every angle.

For me, that's the key to the appeal of the tower - it's has a completely different look depending on whereabouts you're stood. There were some brave souls wandering around on the very summit yesterday...vertigo-enducing, but probably worth it for the view!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/faggotbrain/isisedit.jpg

A rare one from dgnr8 but a very good one. The development fits hand-in-glove into this particular viewpoint.

The finish close up appears to be extremely high quality and every bit as good as you would expect looking at it from afar.

Wow! thats a very interesting building indeed! nice one manchester :)

Anyone got any idea of when this will be open? or is it already?
I'll answer my own question. Yes, it seems people have been moving in over the last few weeks. I think this can be moved to the completed section now.

Trainee solicitor Kirsten Grotte, 25, has just moved into a two-bedroom canalside apartment on the second floor of East Manchester’s Islington Wharf development.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/homesandholidays/homes/buyingguidehome/2008/06/20/live-by-the-water-without-the-millionaire-price-tag-98487-20615315/

Not necessarily fully complete yet Andy, big housing schemes are often phased hand over. Do all the external works look complete ?

Indeed. Was at xq7 a few weeks ago and much work left to be done but people living there.

Tell you what guys, this building is exceptional. I notice it every time im over your way.

Threre's another low-rise phase to go yet, isn't there?

Well it seems like the main tower is complete. I don't know about any other buildings on the site.

Channel M's Homesearch programme at 9.30am tomorrow will be taking you round ISIS.

got these this eve
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1724ISISWharfTower_pic42.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1724ISISWharfTower_pic43.jpg

Beautifully captured Nick, I just love this building, it's so interesting from every angle, no matter where you stand there's something that draws your attention, there's not a vertical line in sight (almost). If the CJC is up for awards this year then this beauty must be in line for something next year, the architect should pat himself on the back.

ISIS Waterside Regeneration cuts staff as chief exec leaves

By Simon Binns

ISIS Waterside Regeneration’s Islington Wharf scheme in Manchester city centre will remained unaffected, despite the organisation’s decision to shed half of its workforce.

Eight employees of the British Waterway’s regeneration arm have been made redundant and chief executive Mark Ryder is leaving at the end of this month. Its offices in London and Birmingham will close, but a scaled down team will remain in Manchester, under finance director Dara Mulcahy.

Ryder, who had spent six years in the post, said current economic conditions were to blame, but insisted the company still had a future.

“It’s a cruel blow,” said Ryder. “We have worked hard to do things differently and we believe in the brand, passionately, even now. But in the current economic climate it is natural that the company’s partners will look at their exposure.”

ISIS was formed in October 2002 by British Waterways with Morley Fund Management and AMEC Developments, now known as MUSE Developments.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080908/FREE/809089979/1083

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2991793843_b1b40bb984.jpg?v=1232569492

Christ. It's falling into the bloody canal - did they subcontract the build to BSC...?

http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm469/carlf18/004.jpg

There was activity this morning on the site of phase 2: diggers and old hoarding being ripped down. Could this be phase 2 about to start, or just tidying a prominent spot of land?

There was activity this morning on the site of phase 2: diggers and old hoarding being ripped down. Could this be phase 2 about to start, or just tidying a prominent spot of land?

Easy way would be to find out if there are any planning apps for phase two or even ask their twitter account.

https://twitter.com/#!/Islingtonwharf

They've got a couple of extension apps in at the moment, only outline permission. Maybe surface parking until new plans come forward?

096518/REP/2011/N2 (http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=LMGOEBBC04200)
096514/REP/2011/N2 (http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=LMGNA5BC04200)

And just down the road ISIS Waterside Developments is understood to be talking to the Town Hall about replacing existing plans for apartments on plots it owns around Islington Wharf with town houses.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Property/Residential-Schemes-In-2012-A-Guide-For-Buyers-And-Renters

Cheers NQ!

Random shot on Twitter.

http://p.twimg.com/AkApBkFCAAAZBkh.jpg:large
Credit: @KennedysTurf (http://twitter.com/#!/KennedysTurf/status/162174693418336256/photo/1)