Plans approved for modernisation of Manchester’s iconic Toast Rack campus

Plans to turn the iconic Toast Rack buildings in Manchester into new residential units and retail space have been given the go-ahead.

The Toast Rack, which once served as Manchester Metropolitan University’s Hollings Campus, is set to be redeveloped into 210 one-, two-, three- and four-bed residential units, 7,000 sq ft of retail space and 20,000 sq ft of gym and leisure facilities.

Developer Generation Ltd is the company behind the proposals.

Residents of the modernised Toast Rack will have access to a 24-hour concierge service and nearly two acres of private amenity space, which includes a covered winter garden, children’s play areas, rooftop and courtyard gardens and other grassed relaxation areas.

Generation Ltd acquired The Toast Rack on behalf of The Home Property Group through its subsidiary, Estrela Properties Ltd, in October 2014. As The Home Property Group’s representative in the UK, Generation will continue to be involved in all aspects of the project, from the acquisition stage to the management of the completed scheme.

When formulating its plans for the Grade II-listed property, Generation consulted with Manchester Modernist Society, Places Matter, 20th Century Society and Historic England.

The site comprises 154,000 sq ft of building space across four acres. Designed by architect Leonard Cecil Howitt, The Toast Rack opened in 1960 and received listed status in 1998.

Paul Butler Associates is on board in the role of planning advisor, while Ollier Smurthwaite Architects designed the development’s new-build aspects. SixTwo Architects redesigned the existing listed buildings and Joule Consulting Engineers provided structural advice.

Generation Ltd co-founder Shehzad Chaudhri said: “This scheme was carefully crafted in light of the site’s listed status and we are really looking forward to getting started now it has been given the green light by Manchester City Council.

“We are confident that the local community will be pleased with the development and its positive impact on the surroundings when this comes to fruition. Further details will be released on Generation’s website in due course.”

Shehzad continued: “We saw a fantastic opportunity with The Toast Rack and this bold scheme is just the statement that south Manchester market needs.

“We’ve also examined the economic landscape in the light of the recent Brexit vote and the pent up demand for this type of housing product in the suburbs remains strong.”

Work on the scheme is expected to commence in Q4 2016, to be delivered in phases over two years.