Colourful Living

Dandara is set to inject a burst of colour into Manchester's residential property market with Spectrum, its latest chic city development.

Spectrum has been designed around the concept 'colours of life and OMI, the architects behind the apartment scheme, have described it as a "city-slick urban village". The whole development is clad in a jewel-like semi-glazed blue/ black brick, which changes in colour and texture depending on the weather and light conditions - hence the name 'Spectrum'. Designed with a deliberate variation in height, the development's numerous buildings will break the skyline and echo the varied character of the existing Victorian frontage on the south side of Blackfriars Road.

One of the scheme's main considerations was the positioning of buildings to allow maximum sunlight into each apartment. "We have particularly focused on aspects of sustainability with regard to the urban design of Spectrum," said Andy James of OMI Architects. "Despite the fact that the site runs east to west, we set ourselves the challenge to produce a solution where no apartments face due north. As an extra benefit, we have also introduced a series of calmer oases in the form of green courtyards that will get plenty of sun."

The development's external appearance is certainly unique and this philosophy has been carried through to internal areas too. Following a year- long period of research and design, during which dandara created five apartments in a Manchester warehouse in an attempt to perfect its proposed layouts, traditional hallways have been scrapped in favour of more efficient use of living space. Now, the developer is confident of creating Manhattan-style pads for chic city dwellers, as Christine Holmes, Group Head of Marketing at dandara, confirmed: "Spectrum is a unique development in terms of design and style and the result is one we are very proud of. Our aim was to create the best possible environment for people to live in whilst working with the site's dynamics to improve design, layout and specification,"

"Our intention was to create an environment in which occupiers feel a sense of place by creating a building which is engaging and inviting. Spectrum is exactly that," she added. Spectrum will play a major role in the continued regeneration of Manchester's Greengates district and will further enhance its emergent reputation as a diverse and cosmopolitan urban quarter. Located just five minutes' walk from Harvey Nichols, the development will be a bold and striking addition to Manchester's skyline - first phase completion is anticipated in spring 2007.