Here’s a first view of the 59-apartment building that is set to kick off the long-delayed Altair scheme.
The building is part of the £70m scheme’s first phase – estimated to cost around £15m – for which developers Nikal have now submitted a detailed planning application to Trafford Council.
Opposite the Tesco superstore, the building is on the same site as the former Bridge Inn, the 117-year-old pub that was demolished in 2012 to make way for the 4.5-acre mixed-use development. ATS Euromaster’s Oakfield Road premises, which would have to be demolished if the scheme was given planning approval, is still trading.
Describing the new building as “iconic”, Nikal will use Hillcrest Homes, the Altrincham-based housebuilder it acquired earlier this year, to deliver the apartments alongside the recently appointed main contractor, Eric Wright Construction.
There’ll be 36 one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom apartments in total, designed by Manchester practices Stephenson Studio and Simpson Haugh Architects.
Simpson Haugh is behind some of the best known buildings in Manchester city centre, including the Beetham Tower, Urbis and No 1 Deansgate.
The plans include a communal rooftop garden covering half of the roof space.
Work is scheduled to start in the spring.
Also included in the first phase is a new £1.5m “grand entrance” for the ice rink and new landscaped public realm to include outside seating for a new café.
Further phases of construction are planned for Altair, to include a 43,000 sq ft leisure centre, 96,000 sq ft of retail and restaurants, coffee shops and cafes, a 7,400 sq ft bowling alley, more apartments and townhouses, 35,000 sq ft of office space and a car park.
The development will be linked directly to the new interchange by a new public walkway.
Outline planning for Altair was granted in early 2014 with Nikal working in partnership with Trafford Council and Altrincham Forward to develop the concept for the scheme.
Nick Payne, Nikal’s MD, said: “It will be a pleasure to start work on Altair. The town is enjoying a renaissance and we’re seeing so many positive changes, both commercially and aesthetically.
“This first building at Altair will set the highest of standards for the rest of the scheme. We are delighted that Michael Kennedy and his team at Hillcrest Homes will be delivering this first project.
“Whilst Altair will see continued development of each phase over the next few years, I have no doubt that the keen homeowner and investor will realise that a purchase in the first residential building will be seen as a real coup.”
