Project Brief

The Castlegate area of Manchester has been designated as Britain’s first Urban Heritage Park, featuring a wealth of heritage attractions such as railway viaducts, canal systems, and museums. Developers Wilson Bowden commenced construction of a residential development that would blend seamlessly into its historic setting, integrating with the area's cultural and tourist attractions.

Solution

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 modern contemporary living spaces 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 apartments. The cladding materials were chosen to complement the existing brick and sandstone buildings nearby, as well as the historic red sandstone buildings of Manchester. 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 that blends perfectly together, achieving harmony in both design and aesthetics.

Outcome

The development has become a popular place to socialise, with thousands of people flocking to the area to enjoy the waterside pubs, pleasant walks, boat trips, and outdoor arena. This has created a place rich in culture and encouraged a vibrant social scene with a real sense of community engagement.