The Giant’s Basin looking south & south-east towards Castlefield Basin

“shows the incredible restoration and regeneration that has taken place over the past few decades”

This view is from Castlefield – specifically, the Giant’s Basin (named after the deep stone weir that carries the overflow of water from the Bridgewater Canal into the River Medlock) looking south/ south-east towards Castlefield Basin.

The top photo was very kindly provided by Steve Welsh and is from 1981 when most of the historic canals and buildings at Castlefield were derelict (notably the area was designated as a Conservation Area in 1979). The two buildings in the background are, from left to right, Merchant’s Warehouse and Middle Warehouse (not sure what the curved structure was on the right?)

The bottom photo shows the incredible restoration and regeneration that has taken place over the past few decades, with major schemes brought forward by Castlefield Estates Limited.

This includes, from left to right: Merchant’s Bridge, designed by Whitby Bird & Partners (now Ramboll) which was constructed in 1996; Merchants Warehouse which was restored between 1993 and 1997, designed by SimpsonHaugh; and, Middle Warehouse which was converted in 1987/88, designed by Leach Rhodes Walker Architects.

RENAKER’s Crown Street development is also visible in the background behind Middle Warehouse.