An unsightly multi-story parking garage that has long dominated Manchester's skyline is set to be demolished and replaced with towering skyscrapers designed to celebrate the area's architectural heritage. The Charles Street parking structure will be torn down as part of the massive $1.7 billion Sister development project for the university's North Campus, making way for a striking new tower complex that pays homage to nearby architectural landmarks.
The replacement building will be an impressive mixed-use development featuring sections of 38, 10, and 8 stories that will house 1,041 student bedrooms along with commercial spaces on the ground floor, according to developer RG Real Estate. The project represents a significant transformation of the area, replacing an eyesore with purposeful student housing that addresses the growing demand for accommodation near Manchester's universities.
Architect Stephen Hodder explained that the building's white facades draw direct inspiration from the nearby Renold Building, a protected modernist architectural icon, while other design elements reference the French Renaissance-style Sackville Building located around the corner. "We've drawn inspiration from the area's remarkable architectural heritage – including the railway arches, the designated heritage assets of Granby Row and Orient House, and the recently listed Renold Building," Hodder told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The attention to architectural detail extends throughout the design, with specific elements crafted to honor the location's history. "Its materiality evokes a memory of the former UMIST campus," Hodder noted. "Consideration of detail design, such as the perforations within the ventilation panels derived from terracotta detailing in the original Sackville Street building, seeks to make the building particular to its place." He emphasized that the team aimed "to create a building that feels distinctly contemporary while firmly rooted in Manchester's character."
This development represents the second major student accommodation project announced for Charles Street within a single week, highlighting the area's rapid transformation. The other project plans to replace the university's 528-bed Weston Hall residence and the adjacent 118-room Pendulum Hotel with four towers reaching up to 50 stories tall, creating more than 2,500 additional student rooms.
Both projects are part of a broader strategic initiative to relocate students closer to campus areas in and around the city center, moving them away from the southern Manchester suburbs where many currently reside. Darren Simmons from RG Real Estate emphasized the prime location's advantages, stating: "This is one of the best locations in the city for purpose-built student accommodation: close to campuses of both The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, with city center amenities on the doorstep."
Simmons further highlighted the project's importance in addressing housing demand, explaining: "There is a sustained high demand for high-quality student accommodation in this part of the city center and our proposal will help to address the undersupply; ensuring that Manchester can continue its growth and success." The development aims to support the city's continued expansion while providing students with modern, conveniently located housing options.
The public now has the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed plans through an online consultation process that remains open until December 16. Additionally, community members can attend an in-person consultation event scheduled for December 8 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, which will be held inside the historic Renold Building that served as inspiration for the new development's design.
