‘Visionary development’ to create 40-storey residential tower in Manchester

Developer Ask Real Estate Limited (AREL) and architecture practice SimpsonHaugh and Partners have shed light on their vision for the former Bauer Millett showrooms in Manchester.

Unveiling their plans at the MIPIM property festival in Cannes, France, the two firms have proposed a 40-storey residential tower that would bolster the city’s housing stock with around 350 new apartments.

The project, located beside the city’s iconic Beetham Tower, would also include the creation of a 14-storey property comprising 240,000 sq ft of Grade-A offices, as well as space for bars, restaurants and shops with frontage along Great Bridgewater Street.

AREL and SimpsonHaugh said they would look to make “significant improvements” to the pedestrian environment along Great Bridgewater Street, removing part of the existing bridge to allow natural light to reach down to street level.

John Hughes, managing director at AREL, said: “Our scheme will be a visionary development, something which only a few years ago, would have been almost impossible to imagine happening outside of London.

“The huge levels of investment we have seen into Manchester’s infrastructure coupled with efforts by the Universities to attract and retain talent has seen an upturn in graduate retention and consequently an influx of businesses looking to establish themselves in the city centre.”

He continued: “In turn this has driven demand for new hotels, retail and leisure outlets - the development of which has boosted the city’s economy.

“These factors mean it is now time for us to unlock previously hidden opportunities and the Bauer Millett showrooms is a strong example of this concept.”

Ian Simpson of SimpsonHaugh and Partners commented: “Found Space is particularly exciting as it’s a space which we have discovered.

“It’s about connecting a part of the city with the wider context. It will also be a great and public place which people will like and enjoy.”

The announcement, made on Thursday (March 16), confirms that more than 750,000 sq ft of new residential and commercial accommodation will be brought forward in a partnership between Ask and Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and the Manchester Central events venue.