The National Trust to turn Castlefield Viaduct into a “park in the sky” in Manchester

Stace are excited to announce that we are working with the National Trust in transforming a Grade II listed disused railway viaduct into a temporary “free-to-access park / meeting place in the sky” by summer 2022.

This Victorian heritage railway site is 330m long and stands at 17m high, built in 1892, constructed by Heenan and Froude and was a transport hub for almost 250 years which fell into disuse by 1969 when Manchester Central railway station closed. The design draws inspiration from Paris’s Promenade Plantée, New York’s High Line and London’s The Tide creating places of natural beauty for visitors.

The National Trust is dedicated to protecting nature, beauty and history, especially near and around urban areas giving people the benefits of green spaces. The vision is to create a free accessible green hidden oasis for all residents in the area above the city which will be partially funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, further funding would likely make the park permanent. To see animated footage of the location click here.

We are acting as Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor and CDM Principal Designer/Health & Safety Consultant.

Media Enquiries:

Mita Mistry | Telephone: +4420 737 72391 | Email: m.mistry@stace.co.uk

Images and video courtesy of James Dobson & National Trust Images and Twelve Architects & Masterplanners.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be working with the National Trust who are known to breathe life into places of historic beauty and charm. This project looks to create a unique hidden oasis standing at 55ft above some of the oldest parts of Castlefield in Manchester. Following the pandemic, open spaces and parks are in high demand.