 This sandstone, copper
and glass apartment complex sits beside the Ashton Canal
at Islington Wharf. It was commissioned by Isis Waterside Developments,
a company that involves British Waterways, Igloo (the
regeneration fund of Aviva) and MUSE Developments.
They named the company after the Egyptian goddess of
rebirth and rejuvenation. Their website says this
about the development, "Situated on the Ashton
Canal in New East Manchester, Islington Wharf is just
a short walk from the creative thrum and bustle of the
independent shops and bars of the Northern Quarter and
the vast array of city centre attractions."
   "Islington Wharf is at the centre of Manchester's most up-and-coming residential area within the large-scale, high quality regeneration of New East Manchester."  "Plans include a new school, play area and shops, while a new Metrolink connection is due to open right next to Islington Wharf in 2012." Below you can see the progress on that station in February 2011.  The architectural practice
of Broadway Malyan were appointed to design the Isis
development as a, "stunning gateway to New
Islington, Manchester's Millennium Community."
It provides 541 apartments, retail and leisure units and
secure car parking underneath a podium, which will
create a private garden area. It features a
striking 21 storey tower.  The overall development
of New Islington remains very much a work in progress as
of February 2011. It appears that large portions
of the master plan have either been postponed or
cancelled since the onset of the economic
downturn.
 Whilst the upper floors of the tower show evidence that the apartments are occupied the ground floor still looks quite empty with just the one retail occupant.   Close Window |