Muse Developments restores historic building to round off Smithfield regeneration

Muse Developments has finished the first stage of restoring the historic Mackie Mayor building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, marking the culmination of its 14-year Smithfield regeneration scheme.

Working in partnership with Manchester City Council, the developer and urban regeneration firm appointed contractor Galliford Try to bring the building, which opened in 1858, back to its former glory.

First used as a fresh produce market, the Grade II-listed Mackie Mayor on Swan Street has been empty since the early 1990s.

Galliford Try was tasked with making the site suitable for new occupiers, installing a new roof, replacing slates, refurbishing and replacing the stonework and decorating the interior, in addition to creating a new public courtyard.

The wider Smithfield regeneration scheme, delivered in seven phases over the last 14 years, has created 350 apartments, two hotels and 30,000 sq ft of ground floor space housing 12 businesses.

Wes Erlam, Muse’s development director, said: “The completion of the Mackie Mayor restoration marks the final piece of the jigsaw in our wider Smithfield regeneration scheme.

“The project has transformed this important part of the city centre, improving the physical environment, creating new homes and commercial space and boosting the wider revitalisation of the Northern Quarter.”

He continued: “By undertaking the first stage of the Mackie Mayor’s renovation we have allowed the building’s unique charm to shine through.

“We’ve been inundated with interest from occupiers who want something that little bit different in this fantastic central location. We’re confident that the Mackie Mayor’s future is an exciting one and it will play an important role in the area for years to come.”

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said the “sensitive conversion” of the Smithfield buildings has been key to the success of the regeneration efforts.

He commented: “Where it has not been possible to restore original buildings, the direction for development has been bold, marrying the old and new seamlessly, and to great effect.”

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