Rochdale Road, Downtown Victoria North, Manchester

Downtown Victoria North is a build-to-rent development forming part of Manchester City Council’s wider regeneration framework. Located on Rochdale Road, the scheme will deliver 237 apartments, contributing to a new residential community close to the city centre. 

The façade design required a high level of detail, combining brick returns, soffits and integrated ventilation elements to create a refined and consistent appearance across the building. 

Ibstock worked closely with the project team, including McGoff Construction and the vent manufacturer, to develop a coordinated solution that met both performance and aesthetic requirements. 

This process involved validating airflow performance prior to manufacture and refining the design ahead of producing over 600 bespoke vent units in different finishes. 

Alongside this, Ibstock provided a range of complementary components, including Nexus XI lintels, underslung soffit systems, cut and bond brickwork, ensuring alignment across all elements of the façade. 

Full design and technical support were provided throughout the project, helping to coordinate interfaces between components and maintain consistency with the architectural intent. 

This included collaboration across multiple suppliers and ongoing engagement with the contractor to support installation, including guidance on handling and packaging of bespoke elements on site. 

The coordinated approach to design and detailing enabled the façade to incorporate bespoke ventilation elements while maintaining a consistent brick finish across the development. 

The project demonstrates how early technical engagement and tailored component design can support complex façade requirements, particularly where standard solutions do not meet project-specific needs.