Castlefield

[Mez]

I think Architecty's point is the most important.

This site (pic courtesy of nerd) and what is to the left of it, has even more importance regarding the issue of isolation.

[Comdot]

isn't the site just above (and including) the viaduct in the top of your pic?

i agree that something needs to be done. if someone rendered a 20 storey turd with shops, apartments and offices, it would be an improvement.
seems like some people may see that as what's been drawn up.

[crazymanc1]

I know its a bit obvious but, i think the chapel would have made a wicked little hotel!

[heatonparkincakes]

I agree Longy they look awful.

Like a fecking Torremolinas by the canal.

That viaduct should be used for whats it meant for ie a rail line.

Those boxes look like cheap toffees left at the bottom of the selection tin, come Boxing Day.

[The Longford]

[Cherguevara]

I particularly like the cuboid grasses and the interloper from a 1950s gangster film.

[Comdot]

i would so love something to go there. it looks so shit right now.

[CDX]

Originally Posted by flange

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness....l-into-offices

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....become_offices

Great news this! I was walking past there on Thursday & workmen were busy working away on it.


1960's pic from transportarchive.org.uk






2006 interior pic from uhc.org.uk/portfolio.php?project=21

[CDX]

The chapel in its recording studio guise, at the height of its creative output

[CDX]

Mr Crains/anyone care to post the full article?

Simply in the red as famous Manchester bar is boarded up
Crain's Manchester Business, UK - 4 Jan 2009
Barca, built under railway arches in Castlefield, was developed in the 1990s and credited with kick-starting the regeneration of the area. ...

www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk

[spoonsbeatfish]

Originally Posted by The Longford

Is that part of the same scheme as the Ask Castlefield Quay development or is that something different. Pretty sure its the next section along the canal which didn't appear to be part of the Ask work? If not are they just vague aspirational masterplanning drawings or some still in the design future scheme by a different company?

Would love for those two to get completed. Would really help to link Deansgate locks/GMex into Castlefield and provide a bit more towards the Southern end of Deansgate (road). Although if the arches were mainly filled with bars there may not be sufficient demand in the city.

[timo]

star trek apartments on jacksons wharf site have been officially rejected according to todays MEN

good news

[CDX]

The article on Barca Bar from Crains:

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk

Simply in the red as famous Manchester bar is boarded up
12:00 am, January 5, 2009



Barca, the Manchester bar founded by Simply Red manager Andy Dodd with the backing of singer Mick Hucknall, was boarded up last week. Barca was one of 37 bars and clubs owned by Chorley-based Herald Inns and Bars Ltd before it went into administrative receivership in July. Administrative receivers Ernst & Young said HIB's assets had now been sold to Chorley-based Cougar Leisure Ltd and 16 loss-making bars were being shut down. A further 21 core trading units which are profitable have also been bought by Cougar. Ernst & Young said keys to the 12 bars had now been surrendered to landlords but does not make clear if Barca is one of them. Cougar did not return calls. Barca, built under railway arches in Castlefield, was developed in the 1990s and credited with kick-starting the regeneration of the area. In 1998 Hucknall clashed with Barcelona FC lawyers over its name when they claimed the use of the word Barca breached European trademark law. Hucknall said the name reflected the Catalonian food on offer in the venue. Hale Leisure, headed by Todd, sold Barca and other venues to London-based Valleyhill Ltd. Barca was subsequently sold to HIB.

[CDX]

From Property Week:

http://www.propertyweek.com

Manchester's City Gate sells office to charity
09:00 | 15.01.09
By Georgie Hobbs

Edwards & Co has sold a 5,700 sq ft office to national charity, After Adoption

Edwards & Co has sold an office suite at Blantyre Developments’ landmark mixed-use scheme, City Gate, in Castlefield, Manchester.

The Manchester-based national charity After Adoption has relocated from Salford to purchase 5,700 sq ft on the part ground floor commercial element of the residential City Gate building.

David Laws of Edwards & Co, said: ‘We’re pleased we could accommodate After Adoption’s criteria and provide them with a high profile position that enabled them to undertake a bespoke fit out of the space. City Gate is a very visible development and their commitment to the location is welcomed.”

Additional space is available in suites from 1,000sqft up to 5,000 sq ft either leasehold or freehold.

Its taken a while to get any of the commercial/office units down there let, 3/4 Years?, hope this attracts some more lets & brings some life to the ground floor of this development...

[CDX]

Crains Manchester Business
Simply in the red as famous Manchester bar is boarded up
12:00 am, January 5, 2009

Barca, the Manchester bar founded by Simply Red manager Andy Dodd with the backing of singer Mick Hucknall, was boarded up last week. Barca was one of 37 bars and clubs owned by Chorley-based Herald Inns and Bars Ltd before it went into administrative receivership in July. Administrative receivers Ernst & Young said HIB's assets had now been sold to Chorley-based Cougar Leisure Ltd and 16 loss-making bars were being shut down. A further 21 core trading units which are profitable have also been bought by Cougar. Ernst & Young said keys to the 12 bars had now been surrendered to landlords but does not make clear if Barca is one of them.

Barca has been bought from the administrators by Cougar for c.£1m.

But have they then sold it to Dukes owners or have Dukes bought some other premises elsewhere in Castlefield/Manchester?:

http://www.caterer.com
Head Chef
Location: Castlefield, Manchester (M1) Map
Date: 28/01/2009 22:00
Recruiter: Elle R Leisure Ltd (Dukes 92)
...
The company have just completed the purchase of a new site which will house a 160 cover restaurant and bar and you will be instrumental in the menu design at this new venue due to open spring 2010.
...

[CDX]

At risk of going completely heritage.....stumbled across this when looking at the MCC 2007-08 accounts(as you do). I was not aware of a trust specifically set up for Castlefield Heritage purposes:

Note 41. Trust Funds

There are several charitable trusts, joint committees and special funds which are administered by the Council. They represent funds which have been put in trust to achieve specific objectives. Each body has its own board of trustees or management committee from which further information can be obtained. The contact names can be obtained from the Corporate Services Department, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2JR.

Castlefield Heritage Trust:

Fund Balance Brought Forward: £332,073
Income: £2,817
Expenditure: £1,883
Fund Balance Carried Forward: £333,007

From the Charity Commission website:

1055020 - THE CASTLEFIELD HERITAGE TRUST

Activities:
Conservation, maintenance and protection for public benefit of areas and waterways in Manchester and Salford including Castlefield and adjacent areas and contiguous with Castlefield and the Castlefield Basin.

The trust fund seems to just be maintaining status quo, i.e. income matching expenditure for the previous few years. So my question is this, what activities are the trust involved in & what exactly do the trustees achieve for the c.£2000(!) they seem to be spending each year?

Does anybody out there involved in Heritage have any info on this?

All I know is that the [closed for many years] Castlefield information centre on Liverpool Road is in their ownership, what a wasted asset....surely not being used effectively for trust purposes...



Rant over.

[CDX]

Good news for once....from Property Week:

Bluetree ‘gonna give up’ space at Astley’s Manchester studio



04.02.09

By David Doyle

A marketing and technology company has leased the Manchester studios where Rick Astley recorded his 80s pop hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.’

Amaze, advised by Manchester-based consultancy Edwards & Co, has leased the whole of the 12,000 sq ft Chapel Studios in Castlefield.

The studios were the 1980s base for record producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman.

The grade II listed former chapel, at the south end of Deansgate, was sold by Waterman to current owner Bluetree Estates in 2006.

Bluetree will now refurbish the building in advance of Amaze’s occupation.

The chapel was designed by 19th century architect Edward Walters who was also responsible for the city’s Free Trade Hall.

Amaze, part of the Hasgrove Group, has offices in Manchester, London and Cheshire.

WHR and The Fallows Consultancy acted for Bluetree.

http://www.amaze.com/news/news-items...-to-Amaze.aspx

[jrb]

From How Do.

Amaze rick-rolls into new premises
Wednesday, 04 February 2009

Amaze is to move from its current location to the Chapel Studios building in Castlefield - once the home of Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

It comes as the company announces "a small number of redundancies" and delays on a Liverpool office.

Changes have continued apace at the agency, which is part of the Hasgrove Group.

Following the news last month of 2 appointments, How-Do was informed that some jobs had gone and no decision had yet been made on a Liverpool office.

"We are facing the same challenges affecting many businesses in the current climate and, because of these, it is regrettable that we have made a small number of redundancies as a consequence of some of our clients deploying more cautious budgets in certain sectors," said managing partner, Nick Bradshaw.

"Currently, we are still in negotiations regarding the office space in Liverpool."

Meanwhile they have just completed on the lease of the Chapel Studios building in Castlefield.

Amaze will occupy the entire building which, with parking, is 12,000sq ft.

The former church is grade II listed and was home to Stock, Aitken and Waterman’s “hit factory.” The basement studio was where Rick Astley served tea and then recorded Never Gonna Give You Up.

Owners Bluetree Estates are now rebuilding the interior for Amaze.

"Combining our digital marketing, technology, advertising and PR specialisms under one roof will offer a single destination where our clients can find the creativity and communications expertise they require,” said Rod Hyde, chief executive of The Hasgrove Group.

"The brief to the developer is to provide a suitable location to facilitate our philosophy; to provide an inspiring base where connected specialists can thrive."

[CDX]

Nice atmospheric shot, from Flickr:

[IMG]http://i43.************/2lxgi37.jpg[/IMG]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darren_caf

[CDX]

How dirty has Merchant's bridge got

From Flickr:
[IMG]http://i39.************/106n5nb.jpg[/IMG]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gobayode

Hopefully Peel has budgeted some money to get it cleaned sometime soon...

From Flickr:
[IMG]http://i41.************/abjb4l.jpg[/IMG]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gobayode