GROWING TALL
Preston’s ‘city living’ strategy is set to hit new heights with £40m plans unveiled for the tallest building in Lancashire.
TSS Property has submitted a planning application for ‘Altura’ – a proposed 30-storey tower in the heart of the city.
The plan envisages the construction of a landmark 96-metre-high property on Derby Street, located between the bus station and Church Street. The design features 218 apartments, together with seven Grade A office spaces.
The apartments will comprise 163 one-bedroom units, and a further 55 with two bedrooms. The offices will be a mixture of co-working spaces and larger suites for businesses.
The site is currently being used as a ground-level car park but the completed development could provide housing for more than 270 people.
Developers say residents will be able to take advantage of a gym, pilates studio, games room and a residents-only cinema, together with a communal lounge.
CGI image of the Altura project Frankly Speaking
LEAD LANCASHIRE? By Frank McKenna,
A SIGN THE CITY IS READY TO
Downtown Lancashire in Business
Preston’s ambition to become Lancashire’s true economic powerhouse has often been questioned since it gained city status in 2002.
Yet the proposal for the Altura tower – a 30-storey, £40m development that would be Lancashire’s tallest building – could mark a turning point, symbolising Preston’s readiness to embrace its role as the county’s capital and economic driver.
The scheme promises 218 new apartments, high-quality office space and co-working facilities, underpinned by a commitment to local supply chains and job creation.
Beyond the bricks and glass, Altura represents confidence: confidence in the city’s growth prospects, in its ability to attract residents and businesses, and in Preston’s future as a hub for innovation and investment.
Preston has long had the building blocks – a central location, strong transport links, a growing university, and untapped development sites.
What it has lacked is the scale and ambition to compete with northern neighbours like Manchester and Liverpool. Altura could be the catalyst that shifts perceptions, demonstrating that Preston is not just a satellite town but a city with its own economic gravity.
For Lancashire as a whole, Preston stepping up matters. A strong county capital and economic hub can drive wider prosperity, creating a focal point for inward investment, talent retention, and business growth.
If approved, Altura could be more than a landmark on the skyline; it could be the signal that Preston is finally ready to lead – and finally begin to live up to its city status.
All the apartments have winter garden balconies, and high-speed internet will be a standard feature throughout. A 24-hour concierge service, CCTV and fob-access security doors should ensure residents’ privacy and security.
Designer David Cox Architects, is based in Preston, as is the developer, the planning consultants and the majority of the supply chain partners that will help to deliver the scheme.
Steven Gallagher, managing director of David Cox, says: “Altura has taken three years of design development and evolution.
“Once complete, it will be an elegant, contemporary building; one that reflects Preston’s ambition and celebrates its growing status as a dynamic urban centre.
“We are confident that it will make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the city’s evolving skyline. We look forward to seeing Altura take its place as an inspiring symbol of the city’s progress and ambition.”
TSS Property has considerable experience of developing build-to-rent (BTR) residential schemes and has won numerous awards.
The company is currently delivering City Walk – a £20m BTR development comprising 122 apartments on Lords Walk, another brownfield site in Preston’s urban centre.
Like Altura, it features numerous amenities for residents including a private cinema, roof garden and residents’ gym. A decision on Altura is expected later this year.
Preston’s ‘city living’ strategy aims to transform its centre and inner suburbs into a series of vibrant and popular neighbourhoods. The vision includes Stoneygate, an historic area around St John’s Minster, covering around 25 hectares and collectively representing one of the largest regeneration opportunities in the city centre.
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