The history of the existing building which sits on this Ancoats site, is an interesting one. Originally built as a meat and fish store in the early 20th century, the building sat at the heart of the industrial revolution. It later became an ice-making factory and was pivotal to the ice cream barrow industry, which flourished in the Italian neighbourhood, as well as providing ice for the old Smithfield market. It would later become practice space for seminal Manchester bands and the Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets.

The Ice Plant forms part of wider Ancoats regeneration and masterplan, including the redevelopment of the new Cutting Room Square and St Peter’s Church, recently confirmed as the second home of the city’s acclaimed Halle orchestra.