Sir Howard Bernstein’s Legacy Commemorated At First Street

The late Sir Howard Bernstein has been recognised with the naming of Sir Howard Bernstein Approach, a new route through the First Street estate in Manchester.

Sir Howard’s is the latest name to be assigned to one of the many routes, places and roads through the First Steet estate, joining others who over the years have helped shape Manchester including Anthony Wilson, James Grigor, Jack Rosenthal, Annie Horniman and Isabella Banks.

Ask Real Estate (Ask) is the landlord and lead developer of First Street, having delivered the early phases of the estate in partnership with Manchester City Council. First Street launched in 2015 with Danny Boyle’s spectacular opening of HOME, the regional arts centre which brought together the Library Theatre and the Cornerhouse into one creative performance space for the north.

Ask has worked closely with the family of Sir Howard and Manchester City Council to rename the thoroughfare which runs off Medlock Street to James Grigor Square and turns right to connect with Hulme Street.

Sir Howard played a fundamental role in helping Ask bring together the key stakeholders to deliver First Street. Today, the area is a prominent strategic gateway into the city from the Airport and the Mancunian Way. It is now a well-established city centre destination where businesses, culture and leisure come together at the heart of a residential community of 2,700 people.

Commenting on the announcement on behalf of the Bernstein family, Sir Howard’s wife, Lady Vanessa Bernstein said: “As his family we remember and miss Howard every single day. The naming is so appropriate for the man whose approach was to make Manchester a better place for people to live and work in. It is wonderful to see him remembered in this way in the City to which he selflessly dedicated his life and which he loved so much.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: "Sir Howard was a trailblazer of modern local Government, forging a way that has since become a blueprint for how cities can grow and succeed. His legacy is seen and felt across our city as the architect of the modern Manchester we know today. The First Street neighbourhood is one of those legacies and, ten years after its foundation, its right that Howard is memorialised in the streets he helped create as a lasting tribute to his huge impact.”

John Hughes from Ask added: “Sir Howard had an incredible vision for the evolution of Manchester, helping to shape today’s modern city. His foresight created a pathway which enabled developers like Ask to bring forward the many vibrant new communities that make up the city we know and love today.

“Our place-naming protocol for First Street is based on recognising and celebrating people who have developed the legacy of ‘Manchesterness’ and we’re incredibly honoured to recognise Sir Howard’s significant contribution to his home city.”