The Great Northern Warehouse is set to undergo a radical transformation after plans to renovate the grade-II* listed building were formally submitted.
The warehouse, on Deansgate, is set to ditch the ‘retail extension’ constructed in the 1990s which currently houses Odeon. In its place 746 apartments will be built, spread across two towers.
A wave of green space will be added to the site, with pedestrianised streets also being created. Some 120,000 sq ft of office space will be added to the site by repurposing the upper floors of the historic warehouse.
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Perhaps the most immediately obvious change for passersby will be the creation of the ‘green oasis’ in the existing square at the front of the complex. Bosses say this will become a ‘biodiverse oasis’ in the city to be used by visitors and residents alike.
Owners Trilogy, who bought Great Northern in 2015, say the vision is to build a ‘green and flourishing neighbourhood’. CEO Robert Wolstenholme said: “We are excited to have submitted plans that will create a green and flourishing mixed-use neighbourhood that remains authentic to its roots. We believe that this approach will provide a key differentiator as we continue to build a thriving working and residential community.”
Other parts of the ambitious overhaul include a refurbishment of Deansgate Mews, which will be earmarked for independent business and community use, a revamp of Deansgate Terrace, to provide 30,000 sq ft of office space, and the removal of some parking space — down from 1,240 to 939.
Running through the site will be a new street, Alport Street, to connect Deansgate with Watson Street. That will run in parallel with improving access to the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station along the route.
The plans are expected to go before Manchester City Council’s planning committee early next year.
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