Introducing proposals for Sparkle Street
Welcome to our consultation website about our proposals for Sparkle Street.
Full service construction company JRL Group and development manager Central and Urban, are working with renowned architectural firm SimpsonHaugh to bring forward for a high-quality residential development, bringing life to a currently disused site on Sparkle Street, in Manchester City Centre.
Situated directly adjacent to Manchester Piccadilly train station, the city’s main transportation hub, the disused site on Sparkle Street presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the city's growth as well as provide much-needed new homes in Manchester City Centre.
Our proposals involve developing approximately 359 high-quality residential homes, comprising of a part 10, part 28-floor residential building and several townhouses that will integrate with and complement the surrounding area. As part of the plans, there will also be residential gardens and a new street frontage enhancing the overall area.
You can use this consultation website to learn more about these proposals and provide your thoughts via our feedback form below.
VIEW FROM STORE STREET
Our Location
The proposed development site is located adjacent to Sparkle Street and Store Street, and it is approximately 0.25 hectares in size.
Located roughly 100 metres north of Piccadilly Railway Station in Manchester City Centre, the site provides excellent connectivity with convenient access to local, regional and national rail services as well as access Metrolink, all within a desirable city centre setting.
The site is also conveniently positioned on the key route of Store Street which connects the heart of the city centre through to Ancoats, New Islington, East Manchester and beyond.
Currently, the site is largely unoccupied, with two buildings that are partly used for storage and distribution. The current buildings are unattractive and unfitting with the overall appearance of the area. As part of the proposals, these former buildings will be demolished to make way for residential development.
MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE SITE
The Sparkle Street development is part of a wider transformation taking place in the area, with several notable recent developments shaping the landscape. For instance, the nearby Mayfield Depot has been repurposed into a thriving cultural and commercial hub, breathing new life into the surrounding area as well as the creation of Mayfield Park, providing a new urban oasis for nearby residents and visitors.
Additionally, numerous hotels, residential and mixed-use developments have been established in line with the Piccadilly East Framework, bringing a renewed sense of vitality to the neighbourhood.
These recent developments highlight the growing momentum and investment in the area, demonstrating the significance of the Sparkle Street project as a catalyst for further positive change.
Regeneration context
Boosting Manchester as the place to be
Manchester has been undergoing a significant regeneration journey in recent years, with a focus on revitalising key areas and enhancing the city's overall appeal. The regeneration efforts aim to create sustainable communities, boost economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents.
Within this wider context, our Sparkle Street development represents a key component of the ongoing regeneration initiatives, contributing to the ongoing transformation of Manchester into a thriving and dynamic city, and providing significant improvements locally.
Manchester Piccadilly Strategic Regeneration Framework
The Sparkle Street development aligns with the Manchester Piccadilly Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), which provides a comprehensive vision for the regeneration of the area surrounding Manchester Piccadilly train station and the proposed HS2 station. The SRF outlines key objectives and strategies for creating a sustainable, vibrant, and well-connected urban environment.
The SRF also provides guidance on land use and heights, in respect of the new development. However, it also proposes the realignment of Sparkle Street. Given the impracticality of moving Sparkle Street, the design has interpreted the guidance of the SRF but within the existing urban infrastructure grid.
The Sparkle Street development will also benefit from the improved connectivity and enhanced transport links that the wider HS2 project brings to Manchester.
VISUALISATION OF MANCHESTER PICCADILLY STATION
MAP SHOWING THE SITE LOCATION WITHIN PICCADILLY CENTRAL SRF AREA
MANCHESTER PICCADILLY SRF MASSING VIEWS
Our Proposals
Our vision for Sparkle Street
Our proposals for Sparkle Street will create a new residential community with outdoor communal spaces, including:
-
359 new homes in a part 10, part 28-storey building to meet a range of needs and responding to local demand
Focused on one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a number of two- and three-bedroom townhouses fronting Store Street.
-
Great residential amenities to support relaxation and wellbeing, while helping to foster a sense of community.
Including a ground floor and 10th amenity areas, roof terrace areas on the 1st and 10th floor, and amenity area at level 26 with panoramic views over the city.
-
Sustainable transport options
Approximately 100 metres from Manchester Piccadilly train station providing access to local, regional and national rail services.Metrolink access.
359 secure cycle spaces (one per home).
Nearby several bus stops, providing services across Greater Manchester, including the free city centre shuttle bus service located adjacent to the train station.
On-street car parking provision (including spaces for disabled people).
Housing mix
Our development on Sparkle Street will offer a well-balanced housing mix, catering to a variety of needs and preferences. The breakdown of the housing mix is as follows:
Apartments: Our proposals include 354 high-quality apartments, ranging from one-bedroom units to two-bedroom homes. These apartments will provide modern and comfortable living spaces, featuring high-quality finishes and amenities.
Townhouses: As part of the proposals, there will be 5 townhouses on Store Street integrated into the 10-storey element of the building. With their own front doors and outdoor spaces, the townhouses will provide a unique living experience for families and individuals seeking a more traditional-style home within the heart of the city.
28-floor residential building: The 28-floor residential building will redefine the Manchester skyline whilst also blending in and complement the heritage of the surrounding area. Rooftop terraces for residents will also be included on the 1st and 10th floors.
Parking: Our development will provide ample cycle parking to promote sustainable travel. There will also be on-street parking, including a number of disabled car parking spaces.
LEVEL 1 PLAN
VIEWS OF THE BUILDING AND RESIDENTIAL AMENITY SPACE FROM THE SOUTH
Design
Consideration of microclimate
The development has been designed to ensure levels of sunlight and daylight in neighbouring properties that are consistent with a city centre environment.
We are undertaking a thorough analysis of the microclimate impacts associated with the development including overshadowing and wind impacts.
EXISTING BUILDINGS IN THE AREA
EMERGING DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTS CONSENTED (YELLOW) AND UNDER CONSTRUCTION (BLUE)
Façade and materials
A careful selection of brick colours and other materials are proposed to ensure that the building fits in seamlessly with its surroundings and complements existing buildings in the area such as Ducie Street Warehouse and Piccadilly Basin, while helping to preserve the character of the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, variation in façade textures and details, as well as a mix of brick and metal in building façades, will help give the building a unique and high-quality character.
Height and massing
By incorporating a part 10, part 28-storey building, we aim to achieve a landmark building that respects the scale and context of the area while offering a visually striking addition to the skyline.
Variations on height also contributes to the varied scale and massing that is characteristic to area, and the reduced height of the building on the eastern site provides increased levels of natural light and establishes an appropriate townscape relationship.
Landscaping and streetscape
Our landscape proposals for the site aim to create a green and inviting environment that enhances the wellbeing of residents as well as enhance the surrounding area.
Here's an overview of our plans:
The landscape proposals along Store Street aim to enhance the pedestrian experience through a more legible and comfortable streetscape, with new trees and public seating.
The frontage is further enhanced by a series of townhouse terraces, whose boundary treatment includes small trees and hedge planting to provide privacy for the residents.
The streetscape along Sparkle Street also includes new low-level planting and small trees, thus extending the local green infrastructure.
The private terraces will offer a variety of uses to residents in the form of an open lawn, for small gatherings and informal leisure activities, a seating area with a covered shelter and various places to sit and dwell. High-quality and diverse planting will frame these spaces to provide biodiversity and positive visual amenity, whilst responding to the site’s microclimate conditions. The private terraces overlooking this space will contribute to fostering a sense of community among the residents, with low-level planting to provide screening and privacy where appropriate.
To learn more about our proposals, please click the link below.
BUILDING FRONTAGE ON STORE STREET
RESIDENTIAL AMENITY SPACE
Have your say
The consultation on our proposals for Sparkle Street was open from Monday 10 July until Sunday 23 July 2023. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.
Now the consultation has closed, the project team will consider all of the feedback received, before finalising the proposals and submitting a planning application.
If planning is approved, we will be looking to start work on the site in 2024.
If you have any questions about this proposal, you can still email the project team.
Drop-In Event
As part of the consultation, we held an in-person drop-in session open to all. This session was an opportunity to learn more about the proposals, talk to project team members, and provide feedback on our plans.
Date: Thursday 20 July
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Malmaison Hotel (1-3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1, 3AQ)