Square Gardens is a co-living development in Manchester, England. The first phase of the scheme, Acer Tower, comprises 1,187 beds across 716 units which opened in 2024.[4] The Fernley, a 45-storey residential building with 525 units, is expected to open in Spring 2025. The development will also provide 17,000 sq ft (1,600 m2) of commercial, leisure and retail space.[5] If fully constructed, the development will feature around 2,200 residential units in total across four buildings, which were designed by SimpsonHaugh.[6]
| Square Gardens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Former names | Downing Living First Street Plot 11 First Street South |
| General information | |
| Status | Under construction |
| Type | Residential high-rise, commercial, leisure, retail |
| Location | Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 53°28′18″N 2°14′41″W / 53.47156°N 2.24464°W |
| Construction started | 2022 |
| Completed | Phase 1: August 2024 Phase 2: March 2025[1] |
| Cost | £400 million[1] |
| Owner | Downing |
| Height | Building D: 139 m (456 ft) Building B: 82 m (269 ft) Building A: 71 m (233 ft) Building C: 52 m (172 ft)[2] |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Building D: 45 Building B: 26 Building A: 22 Building C: 17 |
| Floor area | 90,112 m2 (969,960 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | SimpsonHaugh[3] |
| Main contractor | Downing |
Once completed, the 45-storey tower will become the ninth-tallest building in Greater Manchester.
History
editPlanning
editThe planning application for four buildings of heights varying from 10 to 45 storeys was submitted to Manchester City Council in January 2020,[7][8] with planning approval obtained in September 2020.[6]
Construction
editEnabling works on site started in January 2022, with construction commencing in March 2022.[9] Installation of the buildings' façades started in May 2023.[10] Completion of phase one is scheduled for August 2024, with phase two expected in March 2025.[1]
Facilities
editThe development will include a 3,000 sq ft (280 m2) café and 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m2) gym located within an amenity building which will be open to the public. Its landscaping proposals include the planting of 140 trees.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Kilgannon, Laurence (4 May 2023). "Milestone As Co-Living Scheme Named By Developer". Insider Media. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Downing Living". Skyscraper Center. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "First Street South". SimpsonHaugh. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Valentine, Charlie (18 September 2024). "Phase one of Downing's £400m Square Gardens co-living project complete". Place North West. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Patel, Bea (10 May 2023). "Square Gardens co-living scheme marks major milestone". BTR News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ a b Whelan, Dan (23 January 2023). "Downing secures £227m loan for Manchester cluster". Place North West. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Planning – Application Summary 125573/FO/2019". Manchester City Council. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Middleton-Pugh, Jessica (28 January 2020). "Gallery: Downing submits plans for 45-storey co-living tower". Place North West. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Morby, Aaron (21 January 2022). "Enabling works start at £400m Manchester First Street". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Sell, George (5 May 2022). "Construction milestone for £400 million Manchester coliving scheme". Urban Living News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Timan, Joseph; Davies, Ethan (1 January 2023). "New towers, a groundbreaking arena and loads of homes: The big list of what's coming to Manchester in 2023". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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