Behind the hoardings you will see that site preparation works have already started.  Within two years the land will look very different as the location of our 21 storey sandstone and copper tower. It will be the landmark building on a 3 acre site as a gateway to the Millennium Community of New Islington and as an integral part of the new communities developing on this side of Great Ancoats Street.  It will the tallest building in this area and will act as a beacon for New Islington.  When complete Islington Wharf will have over 500 homes, with office, retail and leisure spaces – in about ten minutes it’s going to have some lovely fireworks over it!

Said Mr Dickens: "Our approach is unique for a UK developer. We have different motivations. Profit of course is one, but so is high quality public realm and building design, the revival of little-used waterways and long-term sustainability. At Islington Wharf, we are inspired by Barcelona and the continental European model of city living."

Adjacent to the New Islington Millennium Community on the edge of Manchester city centre, the scheme designed by architects Broadway Malyan features a striking 21-storey landmark building in sandstone and copper.

The first phase of the Islington Wharf scheme on Great Ancoats Street includes 200 one, two, three bedroom apartments, four bedroomed family homes and two leisure units totalling 6,600 sq ft and 3,500 sq ft of commercial space. The private garden sits within a dramatic podium unique in Manchester, under which are housed 294 car parking spaces.

High quality public realm along the Ashton Canal and the re-opening of Islington Arm of the canal will complete the scheme and provide a destination for all to enjoy. It is designed to maximise the canal setting, by giving all apartments fantastic views over the Ashton Canal, across Manchester city centre and the podium garden, as well as along the canal corridor through East Manchester to Sportcity and beyond to the Pennines.