Manchester Life Development Company today announced the commencement of site works on its first Phase One project, 302 rental apartments adjacent to the marina on New Union Street in New Islington.

The development will feature three buildings of one, two and three bed apartments with landscaped surroundings and communal spaces, interconnecting terraces, 128 parking spaces, and two retail or food & beverage outlets along the marina-side public walkway.

New Union Street is the first of six development sites within Phase One of the Manchester Life initiative, which in total will see more than 900 predominantly privately rented homes developed in East Manchester, helping to meet ever growing demand for high quality accommodation in the city, and establishing Ancoats and New Islington as one of the city’s most vibrant and attractive neighbourhoods.

The Phase One professional team comprises of companies behind some of the most prominent real estate developments globally, and includes the Manchester Life Advanced Apprenticeship scheme in partnership with The Manchester College, enabling apprentices to gain local experience across the property development, design and construction industry.

Marty Edelman, Executive Chairman of Manchester Life Development Company, commented:

“In 2014 Manchester City Council and the Abu Dhabi United Group formed Manchester Life Development Company with the goal of supporting East Manchester’s emergence through developing high quality and well managed residential accommodation, and today marks the start of a programme that will make Ancoats and New Islington one of Manchester’s most desirable and well located neighbourhoods.

He further commented: “We’re deploying world class professional and construction teams to ensure that from the outset our developments will seamlessly integrate with the surrounding communities.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, commented:

“Ancoats and New Islington are key areas for residential growth in the city where we can furnish our growing population with high quality homes, in attractive neighbourhoods, that are close to employment opportunities in the city centre.

“The investment through Manchester Life complements and builds upon two decades of major development and investment in East Manchester – and we are looking to reconnect those areas of regeneration to the economic centre of the city to support the future economic growth of Manchester.”

Guy Fowler, Director – Major Projects, from contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd  commented:

“We look forward to working with the Manchester Life team and all their stakeholders, including the local community, to deliver this high quality residential scheme and leave a positive and lasting legacy in Ancoats”.

In addition to New Union Street, Manchester Life Development Company is preparing to start works on developing 124 apartments in Murrays’ Mills, thereby securing the sustainable re-use of the world’s oldest surviving steam powered cotton mill, and 28 apartments and three townhouses facing Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, as well as a 115-space residential car park with access from Jersey Street. Preparations to bring the final three Phase One projects forward for Planning submissions are underway.