We’ve seen a fair bit of renovation and improvement to disused areas of Manchester recently, and with areas like Red Bank and parts of Ancoats being revamped, along with several ambitious plans for new buildings, this doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Now a row of empty railway arches in the Greengate area of Salford could be transformed into a “vibrant” new space with food and drinks stalls, an art gallery, and a microbrewery.
Plans for the revamp have been submitted to the council by PL North Bridge to create an “exciting” and “unique” destination in the Greengate area, just over from Manchester Cathedral on the Salford side of the River Irwell. The plan is linked to a separate application by the same developer to build a 41-storey apartment block next to the arches, creating 568 new “co-living units” in the neighbourhood.
Eight arches which support the train line running to Manchester Victoria station are included in the scheme, and the viaduct above the site is linked to the Grade II listed Stephenson Bridge. The arches could be used by a range of businesses but the application has highlighted plans for market stalls, bars, craft workshops, and other types of shops and restaurants. Some of the space could also be used for waste and cycle storage linked to the co-living development.
According to developers, the arches are in a poor condition with mismatching entrances which are having a negative impact on the character of the area, according to the planning statement. A new lighting concept could be included in the designs with scattered lighting in the floor leading people through the area.
The developer hopes the plans could help draw people to the site from other areas of Greater Manchester to enjoy the atmosphere and range of food and drinks spaces on offer.
The Greengate neighbourhood is undergoing massive changes at the moment, with the council’s future vision “to become a distinctive place to live, work and visit” and to try and create an area “proud to be more Brooklyn than Manhattan” where people from around Greater Manchester and beyond want to live, which, given the amount of times the city has been used to recreated New York streets in film and TV, seems pretty fitting.
The area is part of the historic core of Salford and sits just a short walk from Manchester city centre over the river Irwell. With the application linked to a co-living space, it could take up to two years before the work is completed and the spaces are able to open, but of course we’ll be keeping you updated on this.