Plans to open up and bring the iconic Hotspur Press in the Oxford Road Corridor back to life have been submitted to Manchester City Council.
The proposed scheme on Manchester’s Cambridge Street, which will preserve much of the existing brick facade and celebrate the heritage of the building, includes a 36-storey student accommodation block, a new public square and public realm improvements.
The new building will provide a total of 578 student beds. Brought forward by London-based developer Manner, the proposed scheme has been designed by Hodder + Partners, with Macgregor Smith advising on landscape design and Turley acting as planning consultant.
Fresh Student Living will manage the scheme.
Richard James, managing director at Manner, said: “The building is located in a prime, sustainable area of the city centre, within walking distance of Manchester’s universities, while also close to the social and cultural offer that this part of the city has on its doorstep.
“Working with Hodder + Partners, we have been able to bring our shared experience to preserve much of the iconic facade, recognising that the Hotspur Press is an important part of Manchester’s industrial past. Its regeneration will provide an opportunity to deliver a new public space for the area, and our aspiration is to create an attractive and accessible space for residents and neighbours to enjoy.”
Proposals to turn the site into a 171-home, 28-storey residential scheme were first proposed and consented some five years ago. Manner picked up the project – which had been put forward by a joint venture between MCR Property Group and Blue Dog Property – earlier this year following a lack of progress on the development.
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