It was a pleasure to attend, sponsor and contribute in the discussions at the Manchester New Neighbourhoods Breakfast at COLONY Fabrica, our sister company’s coworking space in New Islington. Over 100 developers, investors and regeneration leaders attended and it was an insightful and inspiring morning focused on Manchester’s upcoming regeneration projects.
Fabrica, located in an area Northern Group has been investing in for over two decades, was the perfect setting for the discussion. Once an industrial edge of the city, New Islington is now a thriving neighbourhood defined by thoughtful placemaking, including canalside homes, independent eateries, and vibrant public spaces with a strong community. A testament to what long-term vision and commitment can deliver.
A key voice on the panel was our CEO and Founder, Nathan Ezair, who shared Northern Group’s vision for Holt Town, a neighbourhood just east of Manchester City Centre.
“Holt Town has everything in terms of infrastructure and location,” Nathan said. “Its natural connectivity between the city centre, the Etihad Campus, and Co-op Live, plus three Metrolink stops, means it’s perfectly placed for us to help create a thriving new neighbourhood in Manchester.”
Nathan spoke passionately about the importance of building sustainable, long-lasting communities and Northern Group’s long-term regeneration strategy for the next 15–20 years. He also reflected on the evolution of Manchester’s urban demographic, and how the city centre is increasingly becoming a place to settle, raise families, and live more holistically.
The conversations touched on other key regeneration hotspots across the city, including:
- Strangeways, where a major Strategic Regeneration Framework aims to reintegrate the area with the wider city centre.
- Crumpsall, where a health-led neighbourhood is taking shape around the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital.
- Wythenshawe, where a council-led scheme is breathing new life into the town centre with greener, more inclusive plans.
- The Manchester Digital Campus, a GPA-backed development supporting thousands of jobs in smart city infrastructure.
Nathan also shared the story behind COLONY, and how, despite early scepticism, it’s grown into a network of seven thriving coworking spaces. Each location plays a role in shaping community and identity across Manchester, offering flexibility, connection and creativity for the cities growing business landscape.
Across the morning, one message stood out loud and clear, Manchester’s growth must be viable, sustainable, and inclusive.
Thank you to Insider Media for bringing together such a brilliant group of place-makers. We’re proud to be part of Manchester’s next chapter, and to continue helping shape Manchester.