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transforming manchester’s industrial heritage

Adapting historic buildings has been a central element of much of shedkm’s regeneration and placemaking work. Manchester has always been a city rich in characterful, industrial buildings, and its Victorian mills, factories and warehouses are at the heart of two new schemes, which will complete this year to deliver more than 200 new homes in the centre of the city for sale and rent: Crusader for Capital&Centric and Kampus for Capital & Centric in a joint venture partnership with HBD.

Kampus has been designed as a garden neighbourhood, comprising five buildings with shared gardens and independent bars, restaurants and retail on site. shedkm has designed two of the buildings; the Minto + Turner and Minshull House warehouses which will provide 59 one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent. Vacant for several decades, Grade II Listed Minto + Turner will contain 18 apartments, while Minshull House, most recently used as a university building, will be home to 41.

Crusader, in the emerging neighbourhood of Piccadilly East, is a new community in two refurbished Victorian Mills – the only heritage buildings to be incorporated into the HS2 regeneration framework. 123 owner-occupier-only apartments will feature exposed brickwork, timber beams, high ceilings and large windows. Residents will enjoy a lush communal garden with fire pits and barbecues.

Across these schemes shedkm developed a mill building strategy to ensure a balance between retained heritage features and comfortable, contemporary living. A cloister element activates the inner face of the buildings to give all apartments dual aspect views. As much as possible of the original fabric, structure and features (such as hoists, external escape stairs and machinery) of the warehouses have been retained and restored, celebrating their original industrial heritage. A materials palette showcases the red brick, cast iron and exposed timber synonymous with Manchester’s built heritage.

The relationships between new and old buildings and external spaces have been carefully considered to create a coherent masterplan. Both developments feature pocket parks and landscaping to embed these new neighbourhoods which complement the industrial character of Manchester.