Help shape our updated vision for Albert Bridge House
Welcome
Oval Real Estate is excited to share updated plans for the redevelopment of Albert Bridge House. We have refined our proposals to better align with Manchester’s evolving needs, creating a mixed-use development alongside high-quality public realm.
Below, you’ll find information about the site, our updated proposals, the consultation process and our next steps.
Introducing Oval
Real Estate
Founded in 2013, Oval Real Estate develops, manages, and invests in buildings across the UK and in every sector. We specialise in spaces that are often overlooked and are committed to leaving neighbourhoods in better shape than when we found them.
By drawing on expertise from outside the property sector, we carefully consider every element of the built environment – what occupiers and visitors see, hear, and touch – to create thoughtfully designed buildings and spaces.
You can find out more about the work we do by visiting our website:
Tubeworks, Digbeth
Arca, Birmingham
The Fairfax, Bristol
The Site
The Albert Bridge House site is located between Bridge Street, the River Irwell, St Mary’s Parsonage and Trinity Bridge in Manchester City Centre. It is a gateway location when entering the City from Salford and a prominent location along the River Irwell
It is currently home to a vacant 18 storey office building, formally occupied by HMRC, and an adjoining car park and land, including Albert Bridge Gardens.
The proposed site is included in the 2020 Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for St Mary’s Parsonage as providing a key opportunity for redevelopment.
Aerial view of the site
Why not reuse the existing building?
At Oval, we have a huge commitment to renovating and retrofitting old buildings. While that is always our starting point, Albert Bridge House doesn’t offer the potential for a successful renovation.
Albert Bridge House was purpose-built in the 1950s as a tax office and was not designed with long-term sustainability in mind. Put simply, its layout and design just don’t meet modern office occupier requirements.
We are also keen to re-engage the site with river frontage behind Albert Bridge House. As it stands, the existing layout of the building turns its back on the river, and its retention would ultimately restrict the opportunity to open up the site and improve connections through it.
View of Albert Bridge House from King Street West
Bridge Street car park
Images of the site today
A New Vision for Albert Bridge House
Adapting to Today's Market
As you may be aware, we initially brought forward plans for the site in 2022 following a public consultation and received a resolution to grant planning permission in 2023. Since then, the financial landscape has shifted significantly and while this presents challenges, it also provides the opportunity for innovative solutions and a fresh perspective. As such, our new proposals have been developed in response to this challenge and to better align with current market needs and community priorities.
Our updated proposals at a glance
250,000 sq. ft of best in class, flexible Grade A office space
Two residential buildings, providing c.800 homes in a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments creating a new community in this part of the City
Expanded and enhanced public realm, with better access to the River Irwell
New pedestrian and cycle linkages through the Site
Dynamic commercial offering, including retail, food and beverage units
How have our plans changed?
Streamlined high quality, flexible office space
We have repositioned our office component to approximately 250,000 sq ft, making it more attractive to potential tenants. The newly adaptable office space will ensure a diverse range of potential occupiers and is a reflection of evolving market trends, where businesses are prioritising flexibility and high-quality workspace.
Expanded and enhanced public realm
Our new vision is to create an improved and inviting public realm, where revised plans of enhanced landscaping, new play spaces, pedestrian and cycle routes and additional green areas will encourage community interaction and wellbeing. We are also prioritising better access to the River Irwell, creating a welcoming and engaging waterfront space for all.
Increased residential offering
The demand for high-quality homes in the city remains strong, and repurposing brownfield land for housing is a key priority in the government's plans for sustainable growth. By expanding the residential aspect of the development, we can meet this demand . creating a new community in this part of the centre.
Dynamic commercial offering
The development will feature a vibrant mix of commercial spaces, including retail, food, and beverage units designed to activate the ground floor. This will create a lively streetscape, supporting both new and existing businesses while enhancing the overall visitor experience.
A sustainable development
Aligned to our ESG objectives, we plan to deliver a best in class sustainable development, with the office building targeting net zero in line with the Council’s 2038 target.
By refining our approach, we are ensuring the development is future-proof, financially viable, and best positioned to deliver long-term benefits to the city.
Our Updated Design
Home interior sketch
Overview aerial sketch
Sketch of the public realm
Facade and Materiality
The design team has drawn inspiration from the local context, history, and architectural fabric of both existing and emerging developments to craft a material and colour palette that seamlessly integrates with Manchester City Centre.
The overall approach embraces a warm, earthy palette, featuring brick and terracotta-toned rainscreen anodised cladding. Deep rust and clay hues define the residential character, while bronze tones distinguish the office block, echoing the historic tonality of Manchester.
Anodised metalwork and glazed elements create a contemporary composition, balancing tradition with modernity. All façades follow a modular design, enabling efficient pre-fabrication and sustainable material use.
Design Approach
The proposals now feature three elegant buildings—one office building and two residential buildings—with active ground floor uses throughout, enhancing engagement at street level.
To create a landmark at a key entry point to the city, the design increases building height along the River Irwell, making a strong visual statement. Additionally, all buildings adopt an octagonal form, ensuring a cohesive and consistent architectural approach across the site.
Greater separation between the buildings provides more ‘breathing space’, allowing for enhanced natural light, improved views, and reduced overlooking. This also allow for better circulation and a more inviting public realm.
The building forms frame key views from all approaches, while their compact footprints improve permeability, ensuring the scheme is both responsive to the microclimate and seamlessly integrated into Manchester’s evolving urban fabric.
Landscape and Public Realm
Sketch of the public realm
Our plans for the site would provide high-quality outdoor amenity space, promoting health and wellbeing of the occupants of the buildings as well as creating an attractive, sustainable place that people want to visit and spend time in. Extensive landscaping across the ground floor public realm and roof terraces of the office building will contribute to the character of the area, as well as climate change mitigation.
The proposals include a reimagined river-edge walk to enhance the site's experience and open up the River Irwell. Thoughtfully designed landscaping, seating areas, and improved pathways will encourage movement along the river, fostering a vibrant and active public space.
The plans for the site also incorporate a variety of engaging play elements designed to create an inclusive and dynamic environment for all ages. These features would encourage social interaction, physical activity, and imaginative play while complementing the overall design of the space and creating a family-friendly atmosphere.
Have your say
This consultation is now closed.
Come and meet the team
As part of the consultation, we held an in-person drop-in session at The People’s History Museum (Leftbank, Manchester, M3 3ER) on Tuesday 11 March between 4pm and 7pm.
If weren’t able to attend the event, don’t worry as all of the information that we displayed is available to view by clicking here.