Plans have been revealed for a new 18-storey tower in Manchester city centre, complete with a rooftop pool.
The Alberton will be the latest development from Bruntwood, who want to build a ‘revolutionary’ workspace and leisure destination.
The £93m development would replace the existing Alberton House on St Mary’s Parsonage, the site of the first Manchester Gas Works.
Plans include a rooftop holistic wellness centre, which would house the UK’s highest workspace pool as well as a hydrotherapy vitality pool, hot and cold treatment rooms, a fitness studio, a yoga terrace, a physio room, and shower and changing facilities.
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On the 17th floor, there’ll be a panoramic roof terrace with views across the city, and a food and beverage outlet.
The Alberton. Credit: Supplied
The Alberton would be the flagship building for Bruntwood Works’ Pioneer programme
It’s being designed by EPR Architects, who are creating a ‘modern reimagining’ of Manchester’s Victorian cotton mills.
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The work on the site is set to begin later this year ahead of an early 2025 completion.
Taking place nearby, also within Manchester City Council’s St. Mary’s Parsonage Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), is the redevelopment of the grade-II listed Kendal Milne building, Bruntwood’s Blackfriars House, and King’s House, which is currently undergoing redevelopment.
The Alberton’s 17th floor roof terrace. Credit: Supplied
The plans propose the demolition of the existing Alberton House, which has been identified as an energy-inefficient 1960s office building.
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When complete, The Alberton’s ground floor will connect the Trinity Bridge walkway and Motor Square, with a hospitality offering across the entire floor including a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.
Completing the plans are a screening and cinema room, a flexible event space, a cycle hub with showers, and Brompton bike lockers, as well as the 17th floor roof terrace.
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, commented: “The Alberton is going to revolutionise workspace, not just in Manchester but across the UK. It is a development that supports integrating wellbeing into customer’s daily lives to encourage a positive work/life balance.
“This is evident in our plans to create a holistic wellbeing centre that will act as the focal point of the entire development, including a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
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“We understand that the way we work and live has changed for the long-term, so we wanted to give our customers a space that suits their changing needs and helps to promote a working environment where they can thrive professionally, but also personally.
“Our Pioneer programme has always recognised the need to incorporate best-in-class wellness and amenity credentials within the workspace, and The Alberton will offer the pinnacle of this. We are proud to be able to deliver a world-class workplace and leisure destination to Manchester as it continues to compete on a global stage for inward investment.”
Featured image: Supplied
Property
Hoarder’s house goes on sale with former owner’s remains buried in the garden
Daisy Jackson
The home of a late local legend has gone up for sale – with his remains still buried in a tomb in the back garden.
Jake Manglewurzel dubbed himself ‘King of the Eccentrics’ and became a TV personality, including appearances on Channel 5’s Hoarders.
He died last year at the age of 83, and his old house on Peat Ponds in Huddersfield has been listed for sale and will go up for auction in a few weeks, The Hoot reports.
Jake nicknamed his home Wonderful Wurzel Land, where be worked on his wacky inventions, including a car with a bathtub on its roof.
Jake Manglewurzel’s house is up for auction. Credit: Auction House Manchester
The house was reduced to a shell by a fire in 2010, after which he moved into a caravan in the garden.
The listing states about Jake Manglewurzel’s home: “The existing house now requires extensive rebuilding works and refurbishing throughout but there is the potential to significantly extend the existing property subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
“Please be aware this property is being sold by a family member as part of a relative’s estate.
“As part of the deceased wishes, who was a well-known local character, they asked to be buried in the garden and this wish has been carried out with the property being sold as it is.
“Information regarding the respectful treatment of human remains in unconsecrated grounds can be found on the Government website. Please note that there will be contents remaining inside and outside the property upon completion.”
Featured image: Auction House Manchester
Property
Entire Scottish island goes on sale for less than the price of an average house in Didsbury
Emily Sergeant
It’s not something you see everyday, but a remote island in Scotland has been popped on the market, and the entire thing’ll set you back less than it would for the average house in Didsbury.
While we know that the Greater Manchester region is a largely-affordable place to buy a home in comparison with the rest of the UK, there are some affluent areas and suburbs of the city that are significantly more expensive than others – and perhaps nothing proves that more than the fact that an entire island in Scotland has just gone on sale for £350,000.
And the average price of a house in Didsbury was £396,768 over the last year.
The sought-after South Manchester suburb isn’t the only culprit here though, as a handful of other local areas also have average houses higher than the price of the Pladda Isles.
Houses in Chorlton went for £366,988 on average last year, while houses in Altrincham had an average price of £555,622, and in the picturesque Stockport village of Marple Bridge saw people have to part with £405,508 on average.
So where exactly is this island then? And is it really as good as it sounds?
The Pladda Isles lighthouse built in the 1790s / Credit: Knight Frank The former lighthouse keeper’s house boasts five decent-sized bedrooms / Credit: Knight Frank
Well, the Pladda Isles sits south of the Isle of Arran on Scotland’s Atlantic Coast, and for those who like a bit of solitude, then it’s presenting prospective homebuyers with a unique opportunity to get on the property ladder and get away from the rat race for just £350,000.
The island spans 28 acres, and comes with what estate agents Knight Frank call an “extensive range” of buildings – including a lighthouse built in the 1790s, and the former lighthouse keeper’s house which boasts five decent-sized bedrooms.
Although, these buildings do need a bit of TLC as they’ve fallen into disrepair after being left empty.
Some of the buildings do need a bit of TLC as they’ve fallen into disrepair after being left empty / Credit: Knight FrankThe island spans 28 acres of land / Credit: Knight Frank
A bothy, which comes complete with a double bedroom and kitchen area, can also be found on the island, as well as a 2.5 acre walled garden, a helipad, and a stone jetty for boats to arrive and depart from.
The Pladda Isles also boasts views stretching across the Kintyre and the Ayrshire coasts from one side, Ailsa Craig from the other direction, and on a clear day, you can even see out to Northern Ireland.
Estate agents also claim that more than 100 species of birds have been recorded on the island too, from Arctic Terns to Turnstones and Shags all spotted.
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2022 
