Turning Constraints Into Community: The Story of 75 Canal

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At 75 Canal Street in Manchester, NH, a once-abandoned industrial site has been reimagined as a welcoming place to live. What was once unused space is now a vibrant residential hub designed with people, livability, and connection in mind.

CES partnered with Market Square Architects to provide full MEP/FP design for the 200,000 SF building, which sits atop an 87,000 SF integrated parking garage. With just inches of clearance below four stories of housing, our team carefully coordinated complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems to support the building’s infrastructure — without compromising comfort or quality.

Located in the city’s revitalized Gaslight District and within a Qualified Opportunity Zone, this development brings new energy to downtown Manchester, offering walkable, amenity-rich housing that helps strengthen the fabric of the community.

In this post, we’re diving into the unique technical challenges of this project and how thoughtful engineering helped turn a complex site into a livable, human-centered place.

Tackling Tight Spaces: Building Systems in Inches, Not Feet

The garage’s limited ceiling cavity presented one of the most technically demanding aspects of the project. Every system — ductwork, conduit, sprinkler piping, and lighting — had to be designed to preserve headroom, avoid structural conflicts, and meet code. Key MEP solutions included:

• Tightly grouped and coordinated ductwork and piping layouts
• Ventilation and exhaust systems that met both life safety and comfort standards
• Integration of EV charging infrastructure without overloading spatial or electrical capacity
• System routing that preserved access for long-term maintenance

Despite the challenges, the MEP design succeeded in functioning seamlessly, while remaining nearly invisible to the everyday resident

A Site with History and a Bold New Future

75 Canal is more than just a technical achievement — it’s a transformation of a former industrial lot into a vibrant, community-centered residential development that responds to the needs of a growing Manchester.

With a mix of unit types and layouts, the building emphasizes flexibility, inclusivity, and livability. Market Square Architects prioritized walkability, accessibility, and contextual design, creating a development that both supports neighborhood revitalization and reflects the city’s long-term goals.

Smart Systems That Power Everyday Comfort

Above the garage, CES designed building systems that support resident comfort, operational efficiency, and long-term adaptability. Some of the human-centered design choices include:

• Decentralized HVAC systems, including gas-fired boilers for heating and roof-mounted condensing units for cooling, deliver reliable climate control tailored to each apartment
• Domestic water systems calibrated for multi-unit demand
• Fully integrated fire protection for both residential and garage levels
• Solar-ready infrastructure for future renewable integration
• Drainage and waterproofing coordination across rooftop and courtyard features

Why It Matters

75 Canal Apartments is a testament to what’s possible when engineering and design work hand in hand from the very beginning. CES collaborated closely with the project team to navigate tight spatial constraints — without sacrificing performance, comfort, or sustainability. The result is more than just a well-coordinated building; it’s a thoughtfully designed community that turns a once-challenging site into a vibrant, livable home for Manchester residents.