Urban & Civic has unveiled plans for its redevelopment of the former Origin site in Manchester.
The site was one of a pair Urban&Civic purchased from Morgan Stanley at the end of 2014 for a combined total of around £25m, as revealed by Estates Gazette.
It had an extant planning permission for offices, apartments and a hotel, but the new plans envisage 240 flats across two buildings, a four-star hotel and ground floor retail and restaurant units, alongside a landscaped public square.
The previous scheme was shelved in 2008 in the face of the recession after the foundations of three buildings and a four-level basement car park were built.
The 300-space basement car park will be retained as part of the project, which sits on the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street.
Urban & Civic development Andrew Lavin said: “Our vision is to create a vibrant development that complements and enhances the historic context and sensitively reconnects the site to its surroundings.
“We believe the introduction of retail and restaurant units on the ground floor level showcasing some of the city’s finest and most eclectic artisans along with a landscaped public square will help reinvigorate and re-energise this part of the city.”
As well as developing the site, Urban&Civic plans to retain the long-term management.
Alongside Origin, Urban & Civic took on the Ramada site also sold as part of MSREF’s Saturn portfolio, while Renaker Build purchased the Owen Street site.
The trio were some of the most high-profile and sought-after development sites in central Manchester.
Click here for Estates Gazette’s interview with Nigel Hugill and Robin Butler after the Morgan Stanley purchase and the reverse takeover of Terrace Hill.
