Great Places Housing Group has hosted Manchester City Council’s Housing Lead to celebrate the topping out of its new affordable housing development in Manchester city centre.
Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development was joined by Great Places’ Executive Director of Growth, Helen Spencer and members of the project team at the event to mark the occasion and to view progress at the new £29m development at Laystall Street.
The nine-storey residential development is being delivered in partnership with Eric Wright Construction and part-funded by Homes England.
Once completed the new development, which will be marketed as Dovecote House, will provide 89 affordable homes, a mix of one- and two-bed apartments available for Rent to Buy (58) and Social Rent (31), in the heart of the city centre.
Dovecote House is the second project to start work at the site under the planning permission following Manchester-based developer, McCauls’ transformation of the Grade II-listed Armitage Showroom adjacent into 5,000 sq. ft of office space (Sligo House). McCauls has also completed a small extension on the corner of Laystall Street and Pigeon Street.
Commenting on the visit Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council, said: “The topping out ceremony is always an important and symbolic occasion on any construction project, representing the culmination of months and often years of hard work on site. As a key partner on many projects across Manchester we know that Great Places has a track record of helping the Council deliver high quality, low carbon and affordable properties that will become the future homes of local Mancunians.
“This project is particularly vital to our housing strategy delivering 89 affordable homes, including 31 for social rent in the heart of the city centre on Laystall Street in the Piccadilly ward. The Council is on track to meet our ambitions to deliver at least 10,000 new, council, social and genuinely affordable homes by 2032, providing our residents with a chance to get their foot on the housing ladder, meet local housing need, and ensure they can make Manchester their long-term home.”
Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, added: “We’re delighted to have hosted Councillor White and partners to celebrate this significant milestone for Dovecote House, which will provide much-needed affordable housing in Manchester city centre.
“The development is a testament to our ongoing commitment to partnership working to provide high quality, affordable homes that meets the needs of Manchester’s communities. We look forward to welcoming residents to their new homes and seeing the positive impact this project will have on the local area.”
Adam Pickford, Operations Manager at Eric Wright Construction, said: “This is the second project in Ancoats that we have worked on with our valued client Great Places Housing Group and it’s great to see Laystall Street now reaching its highest point.
“The project continues to progress well with the brickwork taking shape and the roof works close to completion. Next stages include the tower crane removal which will allow the external scaffolding to continue and goods hoist to be installed to allow the internal finishes to progress.”
The project is expected to be complete in Spring 2026 and the Rent to Buy apartments will be let and managed by Plumlife Management (part of Great Places Housing Group). Marketing of the new apartments for rent to buy will start in Autumn 2025. Potential customers can register their interest by visiting www.plumlife.co.uk
