Contractor Forrest is to start work its third Manchester development, M-One Central.

The Factory Estates development will see the construction of a block of flats in the heart of the city, costing around £12.6 million.

The 12 storey project, designed by architect IDP Group, will be built on Great Ancoats Street and will boast 119 apartments.

Construction is set to start this week and the building, which will be clad in oxidised metal panels so that it blends in with other structures in its surroundings, has a completion target of summer 2017.

The M-One Central development is next in Forrest’s line of Manchester projects, having delivered both X1 The Plaza and X1 Eastbank.

These two buildings are also housed on Great Ancoats Street and are privately rented sector (PRS) apartment blocks.

Andrew Leaver, Associate Director at the IDP Group, said that the company are excited to be constructing another building at a time when the Manchester skyline is ever-changing.

He said that the iconic red brick architecture found in the city is something to be celebrated and the M-One Central project is designed in a way that recognises the feel and look of the city. He added that the apartments will offer buyers an open-plan, modern flat in a dynamic area.

Ted Macdougal, Development Director at Forrest, said that the demand for further residential developments is growing as more people make the choice to live in city centres such as Manchester.

Mr Macdougal added that Forrest is in prime position to make the most of such opportunities thanks to its track record of managing similar high-rise projects.

Meanwhile, Director at Factory Estates Ltd, Chris Bowman, said the company are excited to be working on the project in conjunction with Forrest, which he believes will be an outstanding addition to the latest phase of Manchester city centre residential schemes.