Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly cloudyMagazine
City's beacon of light
Paul R Taylor22/ 9/2006
IT is destined to become one of the most recognisable buildings
in Manchester. Rising from the heart of the Northern Quarter, The
Light House will tower above Piccadilly Gardens and the rest of the
city centre when completed in summer.
The £32m apartment block was given its name by developers at
Stonehurst Estates who believe it will become the landmark building
that helps people navigate around the city. The altitude of the
site means will be one of Manchester's tallest buildings, visible
from miles around, and the 20-storey tower itself will be
illuminated after dark.
All 169 flats in the blocks, designed by Conran & Partners,
including the top 10 floors of the glass tower, are on sale from
this month.
The Light House is on the site of the former Pall Mall House and
Coliseum Shopping Centre, behind Debenhams and opposite Afflecks
Palace on Church Street.
Sir Terence Conran's architects have designed a sleek 220ft glass
tower clad with stainless steel to fill the gap between the two
refurbished and extended existing buildings, which still retain the
character of when they themselves were landmark developments in a
very different Northern Quarter. As well as the imaginative new
build tower, the project included the careful restoration and
vertical extension of the existing 1920s buildings.
Clive Lynton, director of Stonehurst Estates, says: "I love the
history of Manchester and all the old buildings. It's a shame more
of them are not saved. Pall Mall House was a carpet factory when
built, but it seems the businessman who commissioned it was showing
off to his rivals.
"There are great columns and ornate stonework, not like carpet
factories these days.
"We wanted to keep as many original features as possible, both
inside and out."
At the bottom of the tower will be 1,000sq ft of communal roof
terraces, complete with plastic grass - the same Astroturf they use
at Manchester United's training ground in Carrington.
"There are some fantastic views from the building already, and
we're only up to the ninth floor. In the tower some of the flats
will have windows on three sides, looking out over the hills, and
that gave us the idea for the roof terraces."
It is London-based Stonehurst Estates' first foray into Manchester
and the company's innovative methods could also act as a beacon,
leading the way for other developers.
The company brought up its own construction firm from London to
ensure its vision for the site was not compromised.
"We purchased the site back in 2000, so have owned it for a
considerable amount of time.
"It had planning permission for a development designed by Ian
Simpson Architects but we decided to bring in Conran & Partners
to look at different ways of making the most of the site.
"The building is part restoration, part new build and is quite
complicated. It can be a huge amount of work and it was difficult
to find a construction firm in Manchester that wanted to get
involved. It is a busy time.
"In London our own construction team do all our developments, so we
decided to take Stoneacre Construction up here. It allows the
project to be a lot more flexible and means we don't have to
compromise as much.
"The tower, for example, is clad in steel. If we had used an
outside contractor they might have wanted to use different, cheaper
materials."
The building's penthouse is expected to go on the market for around
£500,000 but some of the flats will be available as affordable
housing.
"We weren't obliged to provide an affordable element but we want
people who want to live in the building to buy the flats," adds Mr
Lynton.
"We don't want them to be bought by developers."
Heather Heathfield will be able to relax in one of the highest
gardens in Manchester when she moves into The Light House next
summer.
Heather has bought the 15th floor flat in the building, which comes
complete with its own private outside space with a lawn made from
the same synthetic grass used at Manchester United's training
ground.
"I get a huge roof garden and terrace with spectacular views," said
the 46-year-old, who is director of research for Tribal Healthcare
Consulting and has lived in the city centre for 12 years.
"On the other side of the building is a communal roof garden for
residents. Like me, I can see people buying these who want to live
in, not rent out, and it will be a great meeting place.
"I've dealt with the developers from the start and Stonehurst
Estates have been really helpful in making sure I get the home I
want."
Heather has even been given the choice of green or blue synthetic
grass for her garden.
"The Northern Quarter has for me become the most exciting district
of Manchester. It is an area on the up.
"There's a great night life but it's a few minutes walk to
Piccadilly and the shops."
For details or to register interest call estate agent King Sturge on 0161 238 7400.
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |