Manchester’s latest skyscraper could be built opposite unique street

Manchester’s latest skyscraper could be built opposite one of the city’s most unique streets — despite a major setback for the area.

A 28-storey tower is eyed for Sparkle Street, just behind Piccadilly railway station. The currently disused-site is also opposite Jutland Street, notorious among fitness fanatics for its remarkably steep hill.

Jutland Street has a one-in-three incline — making it unique in the city centre — which gave rise to its nickname ‘Heart Attack Hill’ during pandemic lockdowns as city centre runners found new ways to train near home. Now, JRL Construction is hoping to build 359 homes on the site.

Some 354 of those will be apartments, largely contained within a 28-storey tower. Another five townhouses will be inside a 10-storey building next door.

Development in the area has faced a setback following the cancellation of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2 last October. But they have been put back on track with the announcement of a new railway line connecting Liverpool and Manchester, according to architects SimpsonHaugh.

“On this basis, there is still a significant opportunity for redevelopment proposals to come forward in the Manchester Piccadilly area and in line with the principles set out in that [Strategic Regeneration Framework] document,” the architects said in a design and access statement in the planning application.

“Fundamentally, these proposals align with the ambition to maximise density of development in and around key transport hubs within the city-region to capitalise on their inherent sustainable location and to accord with Manchester’s strategic priorities, planning policies and other material considerations.”

In all, 118 homes will be one-beds, 238 will be two-beds, and three are set to be three-beds. None are listed as affordable on the planning application.

Alongside the towers, JRL will build a shared garden for residents, and one bike space per home — but only three car parking spaces.

You can view the planning application and submit a comment — until June 28 — online here or by searching ‘139986/FO/2024’ on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.