The North West developer, working with Greater Manchester Pension Fund, has picked demolition specialist SJ Walchester to start on site in mid-June tearing down Graeme House and the wider precinct.

The £100m-plus scheme was approved at the end of last year and will create a new mixed-use neighbourhood with flats, shops, public space and start-up business units.

The scheme will involve building a cluster of 10, eight, six and four-storey blocks framing a new walkable public square

Plans include 262 one, two and three-bed flats, all with balconies or gardens, alongside 53 affordable homes.

Southway Housing Trust will take 49 homes for social rent to help tackle the shortage of smaller affordable homes in Chorlton.

The scheme will also deliver around 3,500 sq m of public open space, a new walkable route through Manchester Road, outdoor seating areas and a “Makers Yard” for smaller independent businesses.

Materials from the existing buildings will be reused during construction where possible to cut vehicle movements from the site.