The Ice Works building on Blossom Street, in Ancoats, was built for the storage of fruit, vegetables and fish.  It got its name from the fact that it has an attached ice-making plant. In the 1880s the Ice Plant played an important role in the numerous ice cream barrow businesses in the area.

The redevelopment of the former Ice Plant by the Northern Group will see the construction of 136 new apartments 1,200 square metres of commercial development spanning 9 floors, plus a 2 level basement car park. The redevelopment will be capable of accommodating over 60 new jobs and will represent £13.5 million of private sector investment.