£79 million Manchester High Street development gets the green light

A resolution to grant detailed planning permission was given today by Manchester City Council’s planning committee for the £79 million proposals for the regeneration of 20 – 36 High Street.

CEG submitted the planning application which is set to transform this gateway site between the High Street and Northern Quarter, replacing a predominantly vacant 1970s building, with a distinctly Mancunian building, drawing on Debenhams and Sunlight House for inspiration.

David Hodgson, Head of Strategic Development at CEG, explains: “This is an extremely challenging regeneration project on a constrained brownfield site. Today’s resolution has provided the opportunity to transform this rundown building with a bold, confident and distinctly Mancunian building. We are pleased that the committee has acknowledged this and allows CEG to move forward.

“CEG has managed investment into Manchester for many years, including the extensive renovation of the historic 196 Deansgate and is transforming Jackson House, now known as M33, in Sale and Altrincham Business Park. We look forward to continuing to work with the City Council to bring forward an exciting new development at High Street. Today’s planning committee process is just the first step in the journey to deliver much-needed regeneration of this key site.”

The planning application was prepared by Deloitte on behalf of CEG. Eve Grant, Director at Deloitte Real Estate, said: “With approval of the 20-36 High Street scheme, the city can look towards the delivery of a new landmark building that will create a more coherent link between Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter and Retail core. Not only will this development positively transform the current look and feel of High Street, but it is set actively revitalise the local townscape whilst contributing to Manchester’s wider environmental, social and economic objectives.”

Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the architecture uses light ivory-white glazed ceramic tiles providing a far greater light reflectance onto the street scape than the existing dark brick. The ground floor and a double height mezzanine would offer a vibrant space for independent cafés, restaurants and shops, providing around 65 jobs with 360-homes above. The scheme also reopens the Stationer’s Court to become a tranquil public green space connecting the High Street and the Northern Quarter.

Alex Whitbread, Partner at FCBStudios, said: “The scheme for High Street Manchester is a bold piece of architecture that draws inspiration from the art deco architecture and economic aspirations of central Manchester. It will revitalise this area of the city centre with street level retail and cafés, a new link through to the vibrant Northern Quarter, an improved market and place a strong silhouette on the skyline. Our scheme sets the tone for the next phase of development on High Street – sustainable, social and connected.”

FCB Studios has also designed proposals to relocate the popular market stalls on Church Street to a new contemporary style of accommodation offering indoor and outdoor areas, returning the markets to their historic home next to the nearby Church Street car park.

This will not only improve the outlook of this area, but it will become a destination in its own right; enabling seamless trading, contemporary, improved facilities for traders and those who use the market stalls, with vibrant seating, planting, and toilet facilities, all within sight of the current location, ultimately becoming an attractive and dynamic use on this key route in the city.