UK: Developer Downing has reached the 45-storey mark on Acer Tower, the highest point of its 1,300-home Square Gardens scheme at First Street.
Manchester City Council leader Cllr Bev Craig attended a ceremony to celebrate the topping out of Downing’s £400 million Manchester neighbourhood.
“Square Gardens will enhance the growing First Street district and add to its vibrancy,” Craig said. “We have an ambitious housing strategy to deliver 36,000 new homes in Manchester by 2032 and this development will play a significant part.”
Designed by Simpson Haugh, the scheme comprises three coliving blocks, including a 45-storey tower, and is being funded via a £227 million, four-year facility from a newly-formed partnership between Precede Capital and QuadReal Property Group, supported by Japanese bank Nomura.
A gym, wellness centre, and coworking spaces will be delivered, plus social spaces including lounges, a cinema room, and a private dining area, as well as a large private landscaped garden.
Downing projects director George Tyson said: “This is a significant milestone and a fantastic opportunity to see Square Gardens really starting to take shape. Square Gardens has been designed to bring people together to connect and share experiences. Our aim is to provide high quality, purpose-built living spaces, offering flexible and hassle-free city centre living at inclusive prices.”
The development also features a fourth, 28-storey block that will provide 555 student beds instead of the 322 coliving units originally proposed under plans which were revised in October.
As well as being billed as the largest coliving development in the UK, Downing says Square Gardens is its “strongest performing project to date in terms of environmental impact and sustainability”.
