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.
Plans to ‘preserve and protect’ Manchester’s iconic Gay Village revealed
Emily Sergeant
A plan of action intending to “preserve and protect” Manchester’s iconic Gay Village for years to come has been launched.
From being a haven and a sanctuary from discrimination, to a place of protest, the focal point of Manchester Pride celebrations, and so much more, Manchester’s Gay Village has been an essential safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community who have made this city their home for several decades now.
The globally-recognised neighbourhood draws in tens of thousands of visitors each year, and there’s no doubt it’s truly one of the most welcoming and inclusive spaces in the city centre.
Which is why Manchester City Council says it’s keen to celebrate the role the area has played over the years.
And so, in a bid to do just that, an ‘action plan’ has been created to address how the character and spirit of the area can be maintained and preserved, as well as what improvements can be made to ensure the needs of the LGBTQ+ community are “at the heart” of everything that takes place down in the Village.
Plans to ‘preserve and protect’ Manchester’s iconic Gay Village have been revealed / Credit: Manchester Pride
The Council says it’s “intensely proud” of the Village’s reputation, both across the UK and throughout the rest of the world too, and it hopes to “enhance and promote” this reputation for years well into the future.
A range of proposals have already been identified to enhance the area, both in the short and long term, but on top of this, as part of the Council’s “commitment” to the Gay Village, several consultations have also taken place to better understand what the “priorities, desires, and needs” are for those who visit, live, and work there.
Collaboration will remain key during the roll-out of any changes, and action groups will be utilised to engage with all involved too, according to the Council.
So, what enhancement proposals are on the cards then?
Manchester City Council is keen to celebrate the role the area has played over the years / Credit: Manchester City Council
Well, according to the Council, these include the development of a neighbourhood management plan to bring improvements to the physical environment, the conducting of a CCTV audit to ensure coverage is being met, and plans to enhance relationships with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to make sure residents and businesses are safe.
Damaged trees in Canal Street will also be replaced, alongside the developing of an exciting new social history and heritage trail for the Village as a whole.
New opportunities for street art and murals will also be identified.
You can find out more, and see the ‘Gay Village Action Plan’ in full on the Manchester City Council website here.
Featured Image – Tecmark Ltd (via Flickr)
Property
‘World class’ regeneration plans for MediaCity and Salford Quays approved
Emily Sergeant
It’s official – more than 3,000 new homes, and “unparalleled access” to employment, retail, leisure, and recreation is on its way to Salford.
That’s because “world class” plans to regenerate MediaCity and Salford Quays have finally been approved this week.
After first being unveiled back in October of last year, and following what Salford Council says has been an “extensive consultation period” with input from the local Salford and wider Greater Manchester community, the proposals to transform the area into an “iconic waterfront destination” that’ll apparently rival some of the finest in the world have now been given the green light.
As well as planning approval, a new artist’s impression image has been released by the Council to show the new “aspirational vision” for the waterfront – which will be the focal point of the regeneration, and form one of four zones.
The “ambitious” plans are said to be inspired by other design-led waterfronts neighbourhoods in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, and Australia’s Darling Harbour.
New and flexible all-weather glass-fronted structures and pavilions are proposed as part of the waterfront regeneration, as well as a new pedestrian link bridge from MediaCity to The Lowry and Quayside, alongside plans to activate ‘North Bay’ too.
‘World class’ plans to regenerate MediaCity and Salford Quays have been approved / Credit: MediaCity
A new boardwalk and link bridge along the MediaCity waterfront will feature more green space, innovative art installations, and places for people to eat and drink, while the main MediaCity ‘Piazza’ – in which a cluster of 250 creative, tech, and digital companies including ITV, BBC, and dock10 studios are currently housed around – will also be reimagined, with moveable structures that can provide space for a variety of brand activations all year round.
The new ‘Living Hub’ will feature sustainable homes, businesses, and so-called ‘convenience retail’, while the ‘Culture and Community Hub’ centred in and around Quayside and The Lowry is aiming to be the cultural, leisure, and retail heart of the destination.
“The reshaped regeneration proposals will support us in delivering a world class destination where people will want to live, work, and learn for many years to come,” commented Stephen Wild, who is the Managing Director of MediaCity, as the plans were officially approved this week.
What MediaCity and Salford waterfront currently looks like / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“As the home of future media, MediaCity’s output is global and its environment needs to reflect its international significance.
“While the waterfront is the gateway to MediaCity and the Quays, it’s right that it should compete with some of the finest waterfront destinations in the world, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to make our vision a reality.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, has called the regeneration approval “really positive”, as he believes MediaCity has always been a “striking development that has caught the eye and imagination of so many since its inception”.