Work starts on Manchester’s newest (and smallest) public square

Capital&Centric have started working on the small yet perfectly formed public square that will link their owner occupier community Crusader with new workspaces at Neptune Mill in Piccadilly East.

Images reveal how the social impact developers are taking on the outdoor space outside their restoration of the Grade II listed Neptune Mill – and if their previous projects are anything to go by, this one’s going to be a stunner.

The square, which has been closed off to the public for decades, will give off industrial vibes alongside lush green planting, reminiscent of the developer’s award-winning Kampus garden neighbourhood. The Piccadilly East community will soon be able to enjoy this green oasis, which sits underneath a sky bridge linking Crusader to Neptune Mill – the only one of its kind in the city.

Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said:

“Outside space is mega important to every community we create so we’ll take any opportunity to squeeze a garden in. It might be small but it’s definitely mighty. Manchester’s still crying out for green space so we’re loading it with tons of lush planting and big trees. It’ll be the perfect spot for residents of our new Neptune Mill workspace to hang out during lunch or catch some post work rays in the summer, but it’s open to the public so anyone can enjoy it.”

Neptune Mill is part of the developer’s wider mission to drive forward the Piccadilly East neighbourhood, previously named as one of the UK’s up and coming hotspots by the Sunday Times. It follows their award-winning restoration of a neighbouring Victorian mill, Crusader, as well as Phoenix, a character-filled new build apartment block in the city centre. 

The square is the latest part of Piccadilly East that the developers have opened up after reopening Fletcher Street between Crusader and Phoenix, creating new links through the city.  

For more info on Neptune Mill, visit www.capitalandcentric.com/neptune-mill