Manchester’s vertical village: masterplan for 1,400 new homes within five riverside towers

Plans for one of the tallest residential schemes in western Europe have been submitted by Allied London.

Trinity Islands – part of the St. John’s masterplan – will be Manchester’s first ‘vertical village.’ The mixed-use development will consist of 1,400 homes within five towers and will offer residents the choice to buy or join private residential communities.

Allied London say the Trinity Island towers will form distinctive, riverside communities along the Irwell and offer residents the ultimate in convenience, with farmer’s markets, retail units and educational facilities forming the core of a city centre village. The neighbourhood will be a high street and town square to its residents, with independent bars supporting locally-brewed craft beer, cafes, work space, community galleries and event space as well as a new boat club which will benefit from direct access to the River Irwell.

“Trinity Islands is without doubt one of our most ambitious developments so far,” said Allied London chief executive, Michael Ingall.

“This area, at the dissection of two cities, is an incredibly important one and is developing rapidly. Our  success in transforming Leeds Docks, the Brunswick Centre Bloomsbury and creating the Chafford Hundred Village in Thurrock (via our subsidiary Pelham Homes) represents a relevant track record, one that we will require to build a real community on the edge of two cities.”

Greg Jones of architects Child Graddon Lewis said: “The aim of Trinity Islands is to provide Manchester with the opportunity to create a world-class neighbourhood and a self-sustaining community of residents and workers. This is a project that goes beyond what’s required and not only creates housing, a well-known priority for the UK, but rather an environment that benefits local communities.”

Allied London propose to start construction work on the St. John’s neighbourhood in 2017 subject to planning approval.

“Continual public engagement and feedback has always been a key part of Allied London’s process and we are always open for any comments on any of our developments,” said Mr Ingall.