Eric Wright Construction, part of the Eric Wright Group, marked the start of a new £4.3 million city-centre living project in Ancoats, Manchester, with a sod-cutting ceremony.
The contractor was joined by Manchester-based property developer, First Step and Michael Walmsley from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The 31,000 sq ft scheme, known as Cotton Square, comprises 11 single story, two bedroom apartments, one two bedroom penthouse and 11 two and three bedroom townhouses spanning three and four floors.
The development will also bring a derelict 200-year-old pub, the Edinburgh Castle, back to life after more than 15 years’ of being closed. It will also create a new Victorian inspired ‘secret street’ for residents and feature landscaped urban gardens outside each property.
Situated in the heart of Ancoats, a blossoming cultural hotspot for new bars and restaurants, and minutes from New Islington School, the six-storey accommodation block is perfect for professionals and those with young children.
The property’s unique design incorporates elements of steel and concrete to retain the area’s industrial heritage. Most of the properties will also feature a balcony or roof terrace with views across the city.
John Wilson, managing director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “Cotton Square is another great scheme in the continued regeneration of Ancoats, helping to revitalise the neighbourhood and build a strong community for residents old and new.”
“The demand for urban living is higher in Manchester than any other northern city and this is one of a number of accommodation schemes we’re delivering in Ancoats and the wider area.”
Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director at First Step said “The Cotton Square development is a boutique mixed use scheme, which plays an integral role within the wider regeneration of Ancoats Urban Village, helping create a vibrant new community of residents within the area.”
“As with all of our developments, we have focused a great deal of time in ensuring that the overall design and specification of the Cotton Square dwellings are of the highest quality, using creative and innovative thinking, and built with our future residents in mind. We have seen unprecedented levels of demand for urban living in Manchester, reflected by our strong ratio of off-plan sales all to owner occupiers.”
Eric Wright Construction were appointed to deliver Cotton Square after the original contractor, Harbur Construction, went into administration earlier this year.
The scheme is expected to complete in November 2018. More than 75% of the properties have now sold, with only a handful of townhouses remaining. Prices for which start at £385,675.