Waterhouse Gardens is a major new residential-led development in central Manchester, delivering 556 apartments, duplexes and penthouses across multiple blocks. Alongside high-quality new homes, the scheme includes extensive resident amenities such as swimming and leisure facilities, co-working spaces, a cinema room and communal gardens. The ground floor will also offer commercial spaces aimed at retail, cafés, restaurants and other leisure uses. Located just a short walk from the arena and Victoria Station, the development also introduces new public realm, creating pedestrian links between Trinity Way and Dutton Street.
Residents moved in to blocks C and D
Progress continues at pace on Waterhouse Gardens, with several key milestones reached since our last update. Blocks C and D are now fully complete, with residents moved in and enjoying their new homes. These two blocks are eleven storeys tall and were the first to be finished, with final works to the solar panel ballast systems now complete.
Blocks B and E progressing with cladding and fit-out
Blocks B and E are progressing well. The concrete frames are finished, and work has shifted to the masonry cladding, which involves traditional hand-laid brickwork. To speed up internal progress, the wider project team installed temporary screens during the erection of the concrete frame. These screens enabled the inner leaf of SFS to be installed early in the programme, thus weatherproofing the structure and enabling the internal fit-out to run in parallel with the external brickwork.
The lowest levels of Blocks B and E will feature commercial space. While discussions with tenants are still ongoing, the developer is targeting a mix of retail and hospitality uses.
Podium structure and resident amenities taking shape
Another key feature of the scheme is the communal external landscaped areas. This sits above the ground floor amenity areas, including a completed swimming pool and squash court. The podium slab structure is now complete, with soft and hard landscaping underway. The area incorporates tree planters, rooflights feeding natural light to the pool area, and a terrace space exclusively for residents. A unique feature of the external areas is a recessed Japanese garden. Early stages of planter installation are now visible on site, with roof membranes and void former installation ongoing place to create a level surface for the external finishes.
A key challenge for renaissance when developing the structural design of the podium slab was the integration of a movement joint through the centre of the structure. This was formed using dowel connections and was essential due to the anticipated thermal movements of the concrete. This joint had to be applied continuously through the landscape architect’s external finishes.
Drainage and attenuation built into public realm
Externally, landscape works have begun in earnest. The scheme features attenuation ponds integrated into the soft landscaping, which will provide attenuation for surface water runoff from both hardstanding areas and building roofs. We designed the drainage strategy to coordinate with the landscape architect’s plans, ensuring efficient surface water management without compromising visual quality.
Steel-framed Block F approaching weatherproof stage
Block F, the steel frame buildings located on the Southern boundary of the site, has also seen significant progress. The steel frame and composite concrete deck are now complete, and roof installation is underway. The steel frame is split into 2 isolated structures, with a movement joint positioned centrally incorporating a double line of structure either side. The units house multiple commercial units expected to include cafés, restaurants and retail, although tenancy agreements are still being finalised. We’ve designed this structure as a series of triangular roof trusses. These are stabilised by cranked cross frames which act as inverted hangers.
New stepped public route under construction
A challenge with this site was the level difference of 10m. This meant that the external landscaping layouts have incorporated two large external steps. These will provide a key public connection between Waterhouse Gardens and the wider area, improving pedestrian access from the arena district and Trinity Way. This route will also serve the new commercial spaces, providing active frontage and improved permeability through the site.
We’ve been closely involved in sequencing and temporary works planning to safely manage excavation and installation next to these sensitive areas.
Next steps on site
Looking ahead, the focus remains on completing façade works to Blocks A, B, E and F, progressing internal fit-outs, and driving forward the landscaping and public realm. We’re also supporting the developer with ongoing design coordination for retail units to ensure structural provisions align with final tenant requirements.
We’ll continue to share progress updates as the external works develop and the scheme moves closer to full completion.
