The Castlegate area of Manchester has been designated as Britain’s first Urban Heritage Park consisting of a wealth of heritage attractions such as railway viaducts, canal systems and museums.

With an array of culture and tourist attractions, developers Wilson Bowden commenced construction of a residential development which would be integral to its surroundings and one which would blend seamlessly into its historic setting.

Derelict industrial buildings were renovated or restored to their former glory, and numerous archaeological digs revealed the early history of the city. Against this backdrop 82 apartments were constructed to provide a modern contemporary living space close to the Castlefield Basin and Bridgewater Canal.

Architects, Atherden Fuller Leng (Manchester) and developers Wilson Bowden specified Locharbriggs Sandstone Rubbed Face Ashlar Cladding from Marshalls specialist business, Stancliffe Stone, as the preferred cladding material for the outside of the apartments.

The cladding materials had to be sympathetic to the historic nature of the development and also to meet planning requirements. Locharbriggs Sandstone was chosen to complement the existing brick and sandstone buildings nearby, and the historic red sandstone buildings of Manchester. The stone is used alongside brick and polished reconstituted material and provides interest to the façade. The use of red sandstone also suits the vernacular palette of materials such as red brick and red sandstone.

Adjacent to the Wilson Bowden development sits another, similar development by Bellway Homes. The apartment blocks utilise the same stunning Locharbriggs Sandstone cladding from Stancliffe Stone. Architects, Calderpeel of Altrincham, specified the same materials to create a residential area which blended perfectly together to achieve harmony in both design and aesthetics.

The development has become a popular place to socialise and thousands of people flock to the area to take advantage of the waterside pubs, pleasant walks, boat trips and outdoor arena, creating a place rich in culture and encouraging a vibrant place to socialise, with a real sense of community engagement.