The top photo is from 2009 and looks towards the vacant and derelict Grade II listed Crusader Mill located off Chapeltown Street and Baird Street. The building was constructed in 1830 and was previously known as Phoenix Works.

The bottom photo is from early 2024 and shows the incredible work that has taken place over the last 15 years. This includes the conversion of Crusader Mill to 126 apartments by Capital&Centric, completed in 2022, and Transport for Greater Manchester’s East Manchester Metrolink line which opened in 2013.

Major developments which form part of the Portugal Street East SRF can also be seen on the right including Forshaw Land & Property Group Ltd and Salboy’s Victoria House; Packaged Living’s The Castings; and (behind the hoardings) Olympian’s The Fairfax, all of which will deliver over 1,000 new homes in total.