We all know that Greater Manchester is home to some pretty unique properties tucked away in all 10 boroughs of our region.
But this has to be, by far, one of the most special houses on the market at the moment.
Whether you realise it or not, there’s actually a castle-inspired home sat proudly in the highly-sought-after Bury village of Greenmount, and it comes with a literal turreted tower and panoramic views that stretch to the Peel Monument, over to Manchester city centre, and as far as the eye can see.
Tower Court is an impressive four-bedroom family home filled with character, exceptional features that really make the most of its architecture, and spacious accommodation set over five floors right to the top of the tower itself.
Set in the heart of Greenmount’s Kirklees Trail nature reserve, the home has the type of commanding views over surrounding fields that not many others can boast.
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Estate agents Fine & Country describe the property as having an “unparalleled outlook”.
Externals of Tower Court and the surrounding views / Credit: Fine & Country
The development the property sits within in is accessed via a private electric-gated courtyard, which no doubt gives it the sense of grandeur a literal tower deserves.
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The property enjoys a convenient, yet semi-rural location, while still being within easy reach of a range of local amenities, schools, shopping, and entertainment, as well as lots of walking routes in the open countryside.
While the Tower Court may look like you’ve taken a step back in time when you look at it from the outside, internally, it’s a different story, as estate agents praise the property for combing unique construction, styling, and thoughtfully-laid-out living space.
The property boasts modern touches and fittings, with little nods to character at every turn.
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The main living room, kitchen / diner, bedroom, and family bathroom / Credit: Fine & Country
When it comes to the accommodation on offer, the property combines everything you would expect a contemporary home in 2023 to have – with a wide entranceway, plenty of open-plan living spaces, a kitchen / diner that’s ideal for entertaining, and a handful of reception rooms for all the family to make the most of.
The property also has four spacious double bedrooms, with the master bedroom boasting an en-suite shower room and a walk-in wardrobe.
The fourth and fifth floor are where you’ll find some of the most impressive features of the property though.
On the fourth floor is an entertainment lounge, bar, and cinema room, which is the perfect place to either relax after a long day or entertain guests, and then if you go up to the fifth floor, this is where you’ll find the property’s undoubted gem – the rooftop garden in the tower turret.
The entertainment lounge and the rooftop garden / Credit: Fine & Country
As well as all the impressive living spaces inside the property, externally, the property also comes with off-road parking spaces for several vehicles, and handy access to storage space within a separate communal garage area.
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We can probably all agree that this is one of the most unique properties on the market in Greater Manchester now, can’t we?
And, even with all its unrivalled character and charm, Tower Court is only on the market for £600,000.
Manchester City Council green-light new venue at Medlock Square, with Mamma Mia! The Party to open the immersive space
Danny Jones
The smash-hit ‘Mamma Mia: The Party’ is set to land in Manchester next year as the maiden event of another brand-new space set to open as part of the upcoming Medlock Square development.
Etihad Campus has seen a lot of moving pieces over the past few years, be it the building of Co-op Live, the ongoing expansion of Man City’s home ground, the soon-to-launch hotel attached to the stadium and now Medlock.
But those in control of the land are content with stopping there; this looks to be just the start of a whole new evolution for the East Manchester area, with an as yet untitled new immersive arts, experience and events venue also set to join the new slate of projects.
You see another glimpse of the purpose-built mini arena, of sorts, down below.
With plans having now been approved by the City Council, the ‘immersive’ space will be situated between the Etihad, Co-op Live and Medlock Square itself, holding up to 600 guests per performance.
Currently set to open in late 2027, following the rest of the square’s launch window being fully rolled out, we still don’t know the name of this next addition, but the structure itself will dovetail with the surrounding buildings and areas as part of seasonal activations, live shows and sports screenings, as well as pop-ups, brand collaborations and more.
Looping back, the interactive, multimedia extravaganza that is ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’ will finally be making its Manc debut as part of the 10th anniversary of the all-singing, all-dancing and even all-dining in-demand production.
As per an official press release from the Medlock Square media team, the show will combine “live music, theatre, food and storytelling” and “offer visitors an unforgettable night out.”
The original UK production at The O2 in London has now surpassed more than 1,500 performances, with a total of 700k guests attending these shows in 110 countries across the globe. Safe to say it’s rather popular.
As for Medlock Square and the surrounding Etihad Campus, Manchester City supporters have also been given another look at the soon-to-open, immersive hotel tie-in experience.
With a skywalk, rooftop bar, a new MCFC shop and various other bits set to spill out onto Medlock Square, it all feels like a period of wholesale changes over in the blue half of the city – especially with the football club bidding farewell to their manager Pep Guardiola after more than a decade.
Following the new and improved North Stand being named after him in the first of many tributes, the City Football Group (CFG) are also set to commission a statue in his honour over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Medlock Square is also due to open later this year, although an official completion date has not been confirmed.
You can stay up to date with all the latest on Mamma Mia! The Part’s Manchester shows right HERE.
Not forgetting a brand-new women’s football facility, too, there is so much stuff going on over at the Etihad that it can be hard to keep track, but here’s the latest look at some of the rooms set to feature in the hotel of the same name.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (CGIs via Medlock Square)
Property
The legendary Hulme community pub The Old Abbey Taphouse has been reborn
Daisy Jackson
The closure of The Old Abbey Taphouse was a real blow for Hulme and the surrounding university district area; the community pub was a bit of a local institution thanks to its grassroots music and inclusive atmosphere.
But now it appears that the spirit of the venue lives on, under the new name of The Abbey.
Some of the city’s most experienced independent operators – who have been behind venues like YES and The Deaf Institute, and music promoters Now Wave – will be the new custodians of this beloved local landmark.
The pub, which closed early last year, has now been carefully and lovingly restored ahead of its big relaunch, which will start in true Manc vision with an exclusive opening night gig.
The Abbey is reborn. (Credit: The Manc Group)
The vision for its new chapter will be ‘Old Pub, New Music’, creating a new home for grassroots live music and emerging artists.
There’s also affordable, hearty pub grub, including Pieminister pies, and a huge range of beers from local breweries and beyond.
Bringing The Abbey back to life are a core team of four: Ruth Hemmingfield, Wesley Jones, Jonathan Wickstead and Gareth Butterworth.
Ruth, Jon and Wesley are co-owners of YES; Ruth previously launched and programmed landmark Manc venues including The Deaf Institute, Gorilla and Albert Hall; while Wesley and Jonathan, through Now Wave, promote hundreds of independent gigs and live events each year.
As for Gareth, he’s the founder of the multi-venue festival Manchester Psych Fest, meaning that all of them have plenty of hospitality, late-night, live music and events experience between them.
The team behind The Abbey pub. Credit: Piran Aston
The rear of the site of The Old Abbey Taphouse will be extended to create a new dedicated live music and events venue, while the cherished beer garden is given a facelift with new decking and its own bar.
The Abbey has stood in Hulme since the 1890s, playing an important role in the area’s heritage – this is where activist Len Johnson managed to overturn the shameful ‘colour bar’ policies of the 1940s.
Its restoration and relaunch are part of the flourishing Manchester Science Park development.
Matthew Pazos, Senior Retail Commercial Manager at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Ruth, Wesley and Jonathan are the perfect custodians to breathe new life into The Abbey.
“Their reputation for running independent spaces in Manchester, alongside their live music expertise, will ensure this much-valued pub once again becomes a beating heart for Hulme and the wider neighbourhood.
“The reopening of The Abbey will create an inclusive new hub that welcomes everyone – from the Hulme locals who have looked after the pub over the years, to the Manchester Science Park community, university students, and the many residents and workers across the Oxford Road Corridor.
“We are delighted that such a culturally significant and important pub is set to open its doors once again.”
Ruth from the new Abbey team commented: “We love a good pub. With The Abbey, we’re excited about bringing a brilliant old pub back to life, protecting what people loved about it, and creating something special: a great local, alongside a vital grassroots music venue for the area.
“We’re honouring the pub’s history while building its future.”
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2023 
