Far East Consortium (FEC) – the developer bringing forward Manchester’s Victoria North project in joint venture partnership with Manchester City Council (MCC) – has topped out all three towers within its 634-home Victoria Riverside scheme in the city’s emerging Red Bank neighbourhood.
The joint venture this week (15th November) marked the topping out of Victoria Riverside’s tallest tower, Crown View (37 storeys), with the remaining towers Park View (26 storeys) and City View (18 storeys) having topped out earlier this year.
On completion, the accompanying 128-home City View tower – which represents one of the largest developments of affordable homes in Manchester city centre in recent years – will be marketed by housing association L&Q.
Victoria Riverside is one of the first schemes being brought forward as part of FEC and Manchester City Council’s Victoria North project, which will create 15,000 new homes over the next decade.
Once complete, Victoria Riverside will form part of the wider Red Bank neighbourhood which will include the first phase of the 40-hectare City River Park. Following its success earlier this summer, FEC now has planning approval for the delivery of a total of 4,800 homes across 35-acres of underutilised brownfield land along the River Irk.
Contractor CR Construction (UK) is leading the delivery of Victoria Riverside, which was designed by architects Hawkins\Brown.
Hilary Brett, development director at Far East Consortium, said: “The topping out of Crown View represents a significant milestone in the regeneration and emergence of Red Bank. As the tallest tower within Victoria Riverside, it will act as a gateway to the new neighbourhood we intend to deliver in the coming decade.
“Through partnership with L&Q, and our wider panel of housing partners, our ambition is to make Red Bank a diverse and vibrant new neighbourhood and we look forward to continuing to deliver on this vision.”
Cllr Gavin White, executive member for housing and development at MCC, said: “The topping out at Crown View is not just a ceremonial milestone, but a mark of the progress being made in the transformation of this part of our city and a sign of what is to come across the wider Victoria North area – including the joint venture’s aspiration for 20% affordable provision. This is a once in a generation opportunity and we are seeing its potential being met in the development of Red Bank into a diverse and sustainable community, complemented by quality public realm and attractive green space.”
Vicky Savage, executive group director of development and sales at L&Q, said: “L&Q is committed to delivering much needed new homes and investing in jobs and opportunities across the North West. Tackling the housing crisis is a top priority, and these new homes will form a significant part of delivering on that commitment. This new scheme is one of the largest developments of affordable homes in the city centre for many years, and we are delighted to be working alongside FEC and Manchester City Council to deliver them.”