Pre-millennium Manchester is unrecognisable to the city that exists today.
Back then, there was no Beetham Tower, no Spinningfields, no flats bumping their heads on the clouds hanging above New Islington.
Everything has changed in the past twenty years – and various architects, developers and politicians have rightly enjoyed credit for turning our region into one of the world’s most exciting places to live.
But LOFT is something of an unsung hero in the assembly of the Manchester skyline.
As Manchester began to blossom with brand new flats, apartment, blocks, offices and student accommodation in the early noughties, a man named Benjamin Hall created LOFT – which became the place to go to furnish interiors.
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Two decades on, Benjamin and his hundred-strong team are continuing to add style to Mancunia with their brand new store in Northern Quarter.
Beginning as Buy-To-Let Furnishings with a single van in 2003, LOFT has kept pace with Manchester and grown almost in parallel – expanding into a nationwide provider for high quality furnishings and interiors.
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The company now employs 135 people full-time – with dedicated departments that cater for landlords, agents, student accommodation providers and BTR developers.
The LOFT Shop on High Street, which opened in February, is an exciting addition to Manchester city centre – with different deals available almost every day of the week.
These include ‘Sofa Sunday’ where customers can receive 10% off all sofas, ‘Accessories Tuesday’ (buy two cushions get one half price). We love this one; ‘Dine With Us Wednesday’ – offering 15% discounts on dining sets. ‘My Favourite Chair Thursday’ includes 10% discount on all armchairs, and at the end of the week there’s ‘That Friday Feeling’ – with discounts on bed frames and mattresses.
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Shoppers can benefit from free delivery, assembly and installation with purchases (along with next day delivery available).
High-end furnishings come at affordable prices – with expert team members on hand in-store to offer insightful design advice.
LOFT has thrived by staying in tune with market trends – which have changed rapidly and dramatically during Manchester’s revival, whilst also remaining rigidly committed to its original core values.
Their promise is simple: All new furnishings come delivered, assembled and installed; and any old items are removed, replaced and recycled.
The LOFT Shop on High Street has been designed with the community in mind; offering trendy, characterful furnishings for the everyday home.
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LOFT is continuing to play a huge part in the rejuvenation of Manchester, which it has done for over 17 years.
Now, the team is all set for another chapter.
You can check out LOFT’s new shop at 26-28 High Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1QB.
Plans have been revealed to transform an underused building on the edge of the city’s iconic Gay Village into a 261-room aparthotel.
If it all goes ahead, Boulton House on Chorlton Street will turn into Joyce by The James, delivering serviced apartments to visitors to Manchester.
This exciting new chapter is planned for a 1970s office block in the city centre, which will be redeveloped and extended.
The building was acquired by The James, a family-run developer and operator, last July. They already operate an aparthotel across down close to The Printworks.
It will operate under their short-stay brand Joyce by The James, offering luxury short-term serviced apartments for stays anywhere between one night and 12 weeks.
Each apartment will ‘combine the comfort of home with the convenience of high-end hospitality’ with an opening date pencilled in for 2027.
Guests would have access to a 24-hour on-site management team, a social lounge, outdoor terrace, business lounge, gym and games room.
The plans also include ground-floor commercial space to activate the street, step-free access, and a zero-parking strategy to encourage sustainable travel.
Joyce by The James hopes to contribute to the Council’s ambition of being the most visited city region outside of London and a top 20 European destination by 2030.
A Manchester-based team including SimpsonHaugh, Deloitte and Font Comms are advising Joyce by The James, with ambitions to boost the vibrancy of the Chorlton Street, Major Street and Bloom Street intersection.
The existing site of the proposed Joyce by The James aparthotel in the Gay Village. Credit: The Manc Group
Aron Azouz, Co-Founder at The James, said: “Joyce by The James will give Boulton House a meaningful role in the life of the future neighbourhood.
“Our ambition is that through the creative and dynamic refurbishment of the building as it enters the end of its current life cycle, the Joyce remains as a long-lasting part of the fabric of Chorlton Street and the Gay Village neighbourhood and makes an improved contribution to the area’s energy, character and identity.”
Grant Sulkin, Co-Founder at The James added: “We understand the value of listening to the local community as part of the planning process.
“We want to hear from people who know and love this part of Manchester, their insight will be vital in helping us get this right and we are excited to introduce Joyce by The James to the public!”
The James are now inviting local residents, businesses and community groups to share their views on the plans, with public consultation open until Friday 16 May 2025.
Joyce’s team will be hosting a drop-in event on Thursday 8 May, 3-7pm at the Boulton House Foyer, 17-21 Chorlton Street, Manchester. There will also be an online Q&A on Tuesday 13 May from 6-7pm – head HERE for more.
A brand-new event is heading to Manchester in May that’s been created to help people get on the first rung of the property ladder.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by taking that first step or wanting to find out more about affordable homeownership options, the Manchester Home Show promises to be a one-stop shop.
You’ll be able to chat to experts, receive FREE financial and legal advice, and learn all about schemes like Shared Ownership.
How do you actually buy a house? How can you boost your savings? How do you cope with the rising costs of owning a home? All these questions will be answered at the Manchester Home Show.
You’ll even be able to browse for a home, with leading providers showcasing new properties available across Manchester and the North West, each one suited to first time buyers, second-steppers and those looking to downsize.
There’ll be hundreds of affordable homes available to browse, from apartments to spacious homes.
If you spot your dream home, you’ll even be able to register your interest on the spot.
Sponsors of the event include major providers of first time buyer developments including Gecko Homes, L&Q, Places for People, Plumlife, and Tembo.
The free event will help you get to grips with the vast array of affordable homeownership options available.
Manchester Home Show is taking place in May
Expect live sessions and workshops, plenty of information on affordable housing products, and the chance to meet conveyancing solicitors and mortgage advisors with free one-on-one appointments.
You may also discover affordable buying schemes you didn’t know existed, like Shared Ownership, Deposit Unlock, First Homes, and schemes exclusive to people aged 55 and above.
There’ll be exclusive merchandise, prizes and incentives for all attendees.
The Manchester Home Show comes from Share to Buy, the country’s number one property portal dedicated to affordable homeownership.
The Manchester Home Show will take place on Saturday 31 May 2025 between 10.30am and 4pm, at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.
It’s free to attend but you’ll need to register for tickets – head HERE to register.
You can also follow @sharetobuy on Instagram HERE for the latest.
The Manc -
1st January 2020 
