UK: Major coliving schemes by Vita and Downing have been given the green light by Manchester’s planning committee.
Downing’s £260 million plans for 2,224 bed spaces at First Street include four towers, ranging from 10 to 45 storeys in height, a new public park and square along with a cinema, gym and coworking spaces for residents.
Vita’s £190 million proposals to build a 32-storey tower in Water Street, next to a larger tower that was approved by the committee in August, were also approved. More than 1,600 bed spaces in shared accommodation, along with the non-compliant studio flats, will now be built in the T1 and T2 buildings.
Councillor Joan Davies said: “With some reluctance, I’m voting to approve this. I don’t think these are the slums of the future, though I think it’s too large for the area. If people are wanting to develop something in Manchester, providing jobs and spaces to live, then I need a very strong reason to go against it.”
