Howells and Soller have put forward proposals for NXQ, an 18-storey ‘upside down’ tower in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
Offering 17,300 sq m of floorspace on the edge of the Northern Quarter, developers Soller Group’s NXQ development is targeting at creative, digital and tech occupiers.
As well as sustainable office space, NXQ would feature wellbeing amenities such as a cycle hub and fitness studio, a ground floor cafe and restaurant with a courtyard entrance behind a Victorian-style facade.
NXQ represents a “huge opportunity” for the Northern Quarter
If given planning permission, architects Howells say the project will create 800 jobs and add £60m to Manchester’s economy.
The project team includes cost consultant Atkins Realis, project manager Turner & Townsend, heritage consultant Turley, structural, civil and facade engineer AKT II, landscape architect Planit-IE, MEP engineer Atelier Ten, planning consultant Ashton Hale and fire engineer GIA.
“NXQ represents a huge opportunity to create a desirable and vibrant mixed-use hub in the Northern Quarter of Manchester where people want to work, visit and enjoy the vibrant neighbourhood,” said Howells in a planning statement. “The scheme combines high quality office space in a dramatic landmark building alongside retaining and enhancing existing structures, connected by a central landscaped courtyard.
“The Tech Hub and Creative Hub provides best-in-class, healthy and sustainable workspace where users can experience flexible open plan office spaces, with panoramic views of the city whilst being immersed in the preserved history along Lever Street.”
A variety of local historic buildings would be demolished
A former pub and brewery dating from 1791 where the National Chartist Association was founded on the site would be restored to its 1930s appearance, with a facade of white faience tiles, as part of the NXQ development.
However, many surrounding 19th and 20th century buildings on the block surrounded by Great Ancoats Street, Lever Street and Houldsworth Street would be demolished.
These include 36 Great Ancoats Street, a former residential block which is now an Indian restaurant, the former textile warehouse at 56 and 58 Lever Street, and a former tannery at Little Ancoats Street.
Howells claims the design has been through extensive consultation with Manchester Council to ensure it “carefully retains and restores” key heritage assets and is respectful to its neighbours, which include the 1939, grade II-listed Daily Express Building.
The plans for NXQ are now open to public consultation.
