Layers of Manchester’s Past Unearthed as Capital&Centric Gear Up for Next Chapter in Piccadilly East
Social impact developer Capital&Centric has uncovering fascinating glimpses of Manchester’s industrial heritage and past at its Ferrous site in Piccadilly East. From foundations of foundry buildings to old machinery, the excavation revealed a vibrant story of working-class life in the 19th century, with historic photos to back it up.
Before construction kicks off, a team of archaeologists have gotten their hands dirty and dug deep into the land south of Chapeltown Street to uncover the remains of 19th-century Dolphin Foundry, a former casting shop that produced metals goods such as machine tools, steam-cased pans, girders and other special-order jobs.
Two wrought iron hooks were dug up from a group of casting pits, which experts believe were part of a permanent rotary crane used to for lifting crucibles of molten iron and finished castings. A photo taken onsite in 1922 shows the wrought iron hooks in use, a unique chance to see the artefacts in action.
Casting pits, core stoves, ceramics and old drainage systems were also discovered, pointing to a bustling hub of industry right in the heart of what is now Manchester’s most exciting neighbourhood.
Ferrous is set to become a new community of design-led homes, café-bars and pocket parks, marking the next bold move in Capital&Centric’s mission to turn this underused part of the city into a proper neighbourhood. It follows hot on the heels of their acclaimed Piccadilly East projects: Ducie Street Warehouse, Jenga Hotel, Crusader, Phoenix, and Neptune Mill.
John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said:
"There’s something special about building in Manchester, you’re literally laying foundations on layers of industrial heritage. With Ferrous, we’re not just putting up homes. We’re creating streets, hangouts and shared spaces where people actually want to spend time. It’s the next step in the evolution of Piccadilly East, from forgotten edge-of-town to one of the city’s most exciting new neighbourhoods."
Ferrous will feature 107 apartments with a resident rooftop terrace, amenity and a café-bar on the ground floor. Capital&Centric are also creating two green pocket parks packed with planting and seating, alongside The Cabin, a new space for foodie residencies, pop-ups and parties. Construction is expected to begin later this year.