Manchester is getting its first new city centre park in 100 years – here’s how it will look

Manchester is set to get its first new city centre park in 100 years.

The first detailed images of the 6.5-acre park, which will form part of a £1.4billion regeneration project at Mayfield, have been released to the public.

The new Mayfield park will begin the transformation of a 30-acre site that has lain desolate behind Piccadilly train station for years.

Developers visions include the installation of a conservation area, to preserve natural wildlife habitats, as well as more traditionally constructed parkland and gardens with shrubbery, paved walkways and tall trees.

There will be an urban square, open greens for lawn sport and informal play, adventure play areas for families, floodable meadows and biodiverse ecological areas beside the river and quieter spaces designed to be used for escape and contemplation.

Whilst the addition of sheltered structures and other areas will ensure it’s a park suitable for all weathers and seasons. Much needed in Manchester, we can all agree.

On top of the park, a further 6.5 acres will be given over to new public space with old architectural railway furniture and flexible communal spaces that can be used for cultural events and other community goings-on.

This area will act as an extension of the park and is set to be predominantly pedestrian with plenty of street planting.

Further plans for the area include the building of 1,500 new homes, 1.7m sq ft of office space, shops underneath the railway arches, a 650-bed hotel and a car park opposite Manchester Piccadilly Station.

It is expected to create more than 10,000 office, retail, leisure and construction jobs upon completion.

The expansive new development is being brought to the city by the Mayfield Partnership.

This partnership is formed of Manchester city council, Transport for Greater Manchester, regeneration specialist U+I and London and Continental Railways (LCR), the commercial developer owned by the Department for Transport.

Subject to planning permission, work is expected to being in summer 2020.