Part of Manchester City Council’s plans to regenerate key urban areas, Phase One of the Manchester Life masterplan focused on major developments located across Ancoats and New Islington. The goal of these developments was to provide the eastern side of Manchester with more than 1,000 privately-rented homes, while transforming the former industrial sites into vibrant communities within easy reach of the city centre.

Manchester City Council called on architects to create modern, more sustainable designs that complemented the scale and historical context of the surroundings, while providing new housing and commercial spaces for an up-and-coming area of the city. The developments also faced logistical challenges that needed to be considered at each stage of the design and build. There was the lack of space on site, due to the urban location, and minimising disruption to neighbours was important during construction.

Weavers Quay is a ten-storey apartment block situated on the waterfront. Designed by Buttress Architects and managed by main contractors Graham Construction, it was completed in 2019, on budget and three weeks ahead of schedule. The building’s façade design uses dark grey and bright red Corium brick tiles, installed by Range Roofing, creating visual impact that reflects the unique urban identity of the development.  

Previously home to disused industrial buildings, the second site was transformed into the eight-storey Flour Building, designed by Chapman Taylor and managed by main contractors Eric Wright Construction. The ground floor offers 1,253 square metres of commercial space, divided into eight retail units. The exterior of the building was completed with Corium, installed by Coverstructure. A blend of grey and red Corium tiles were used to create the aesthetic of a traditional brickwork finish to complement the historical identity of the city.

Weavers Quay and the Flour Building, also known as Sawmill Court, are two of the developments realised as part of the Phase One Manchester Life plan. Both have a desirable marina-side location, with easy access to retail and leisure facilities, transport links and employment opportunities.

For both developments, Taylor Maxwell worked with the architects and contractors to specify and supply the Corium brick cladding system to finish the exterior of the building. Corium is manufactured by Wienerberger and exclusively distributed by Taylor Maxwell in the UK. The Corium facade system offers quick and easy installation, minimising disruption to neighbours, as well as cost-efficiency due to less construction time onsite. Corium is a BBA certified system (19/5693) whose “components are class A1 as defined in the national Building Regulations” in reference to behaviour in relation to fire.