Being built next to Manchester Victoria railway station, New Victoria’s residential phase will comprise 520 flats for rent in two tower blocks, one of 20-storeys and one of 25.
Muse, Morgan Sindall’s regeneration business, announced in 2019 that Manchester City Council had received a housing infrastructure fund grant from Homes England to accelerate infrastructure delivery to unlock the 2.5-acre site on Corporation Street.
As part of the wider £185m New Victoria scheme, Muse is also acquiring a second site from Network Rail to build a 150,000 sq ft eight-storey office building.
Pension Insurance Corporation, a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, is forward funding the 450,000 sq ft residential phase for its first build-to-rent scheme.
Muse development director David Burkinshaw said: “This is the largest build-to-rent-led forward funding transaction inside and outside of London. It marks a significant achievement for all partners in bringing forward this innovative gateway development, which also highlights investor confidence in our long-term vision to transform an underutilised site in the heart of the city centre into a vibrant new community.”
Garry Bowker, regional director at Vinci ԭ UK, said: “It’s been a great team effort throughout the pre-construction stage to finalise the design, agree the contract and secure the project start date. This will be an extremely high-profile project on a very prominent site in Manchester City Centre and will significantly increase Vinci ԭ UK’s profile in the Manchester market. We are also delighted to be working with Muse again following the successful delivery of Warrington Time Square.”
Works are due to complete in 2024.