Ice Plant crane, Ancoats, Manchester - Jul 2010

Jim Gillette · (#1)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The interwebz

The historic Ice Plant warehouse in Ancoats is to undergo major renovations costing £12 million that will see it transformed into a new community hub. The building was originally part of the ice cream trade that was based alongside the cotton mills of the former industrial district and Victorian slum neighbourhood.

The ice-making factory was pivotal to the ice cream barrow industry that flourished in Ancoats at the turn of the 20th century as well as providing for the old Smithfield market. It was originally built to store meat and fish. Later it was renowned as the rehearsal home for Manchester bands, the Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets.

Manchester-based development company, northerngroup, is overseeing the renovation, next to the brand Cutting Room Square, which opened last year, and the former St Peter’s Church. The warehouse will be transformed into a mixed use scheme that the developers have said will create a “bustling village atmosphere” in Ancoats, which has seen a number of regeneration projects in recent years.

Plans include 82 high-specification apartments, featuring designer kitchens and bathrooms, including five state-of-the-art penthouses, plus space for five ground level retail or commercial units. The warehouse façade is to be restored and three new blocks, including an eight-storey tower on the site of the old ice factory, will be built around a central glass atrium.

Director of northerngroup, Nathan Ezair, said: “We are striving to create the highest specification apartments in Manchester. It is the attention to detail that counts and we want to be associated with the quality living that this scheme will deliver. The Ice Plant has a great history and we are thrilled to be bringing it into an exciting new era and helping Ancoats regain its neighbourhood feel. Northerngroup is rightly proud of its achievements to date on this complex and challenging project.”

Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: “It’s good to see another Ancoats development nearing completion. It’s great to have developers like northerngroup breathing new life into the area by sensitively transforming a wonderful building that are so much part of Manchester’s history.”

Ice Plant is due for completion in March 2011.

Visited with nckt and Reddood.

My first crane climb. Not a tall crane, but I did find myself walking down the jib within about 5 minutes of being at the top...

Gibbo · (#2)

So you didn't fall off and die? R1 will be disappointed!

Reddood · (#3)

Also my first time on a crane, and i'm not ashamed to say, i wasn't feeling it! I wasn't at all into the climb up, the ladder was gash!

once up I wasn't to bad, but don't get me wrong, climbing accross the Jib, or standing on the counter weights just wasn't going to happen.

once we'd been up there 5 mins or so, we saw Jesus, obviouly just sitting looking over his world and listening to the prayers of small children! I think he turned up as i was praying i didn't fall off! Anyway, A quick picture of what we think was Jesus.

As jim has pretty much covered the crane with his pics, just a couple of quick view shots from me.

tar-lar

Thanks for looking

NewStuff · (#4)

Nice piccies lads.

I'll leave the cranes to you though, I'd still be quivering halfway up, vertigo in full swing, with trained negotiators trying to talk me down.