Updated design to turn historic Manchester mill hit by fire over summer unveiled by developer

Revised plans for an historic mill building in Manchester to be turned into a student residential tower have been unveiled by the scheme’s backers.

Developer Manner has permission to deliver 595 student bedrooms at the former cotton mill and printing press, which dates back to 1801, called The Hotspur Press.

But in June a blaze broke out at the site which was so severe that more than 20 fire engines attended, as well as two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters.

This morning, the developer announced it was still committed to the scheme with an update design “that remains true to its most recent proposals for the city centre site in Manchester”.

It added: “The plans will see the construction of a brick building up to the fourth floor which replicates the appearance and architecture of the mill, with a high-quality 35 storey bronze student accommodation tower above.”

Manner said the elevations that were due to be retained in the most recent proposals will be rebuilt, including the east elevation fronting Cambridge Street, which is no longer standing, and the elevations facing the River Medlock and the railway arches. The Hotspur Press and Percy Brothers [who turned it into a printing press in 1902] signs will also be remade and reinstated in original positions, the developer said.

The proposals have again been drawn up by local practice Hodder + Partners whose founder Stephen Hodder said: “Together with [Stephen Levrant] Heritage Architecture we have forensically examined the elevations that have been lost and their detail.

“The revised proposals entail a reinstatement of these as faithfully as is possible, using traditional handmade bricks, a traditional brick bond and replicating many of the mill’s architectural features. We will ensure that The Hotspur Press building lives on as a major landmark in the city.”

Manner said it will submit its updated plans to the city council before the end of the year, with a decision anticipated in next spring. It added that if the plans are approved, redevelopment work is expected to start by the end of 2026.

The development has had a complicated planning history. Previous proposals by another developer to build a 28-storey tower stalled five years ago.

Manner then put forward a scheme in December 2023, which would have seen 578 student bedrooms delivered across a 36-storey block.

After a public consultation, it made alterations to the tower’s heights, width and bedroom numbers, with new plans unanimously approved by the council last May.

But a further delay followed when an anonymous application was made to list the building. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport considered the bid for a number of months before rejecting it in February of this year.

Manner’s managing director Richard James subsequently criticised the process, saying that it “does not feel right that one anonymous application can lead to eight months of delay and uncertainty”.

The project team for Manner’s scheme also include planning consultant Turley, QS Gardiner & Theobald and services engineer Applied Energy.