Ancoats

Once known as the world’s first industrial suburb, Ancoats is now one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in Manchester, and even the UK. However, it has been a 30 year journey to success after a period of industrial decline, with Manchester City Council and its numerous partners endorsing a consistent set of key objectives for regeneration and growth over the years.

OPEN have been working for Manchester City Council and a group of significant landowners within the area, exploring the potential to build on its successful regeneration to date; unlocking residential growth and supporting the City’s zero carbon agenda, whilst protecting and enhancing the unique historic and urban character of the area.

The proposals put a revitalised public space network at the heart of the area's ongoing regeneration, with a street hierarchy that puts walking and cycling first and opening up traffic free access to the area’s famous canals. The range of accommodation will broaden the area’s appeal, housing an increasingly diverse community and opening up an attractive urban lifestyle to a wider range of people. Buildings will react to the distinctive local character and critically will cater for a range of uses, including creative workspaces and light industry, to deliver an authentic evolution of Ancoats as a living and working neighbourhood.

OPEN produced an updated Neighbourhood Development Framework for the area which captures these development principles and will help to guide investment in the area over the coming years.