Property

Former Rackhams House of Fraser building set for ambitious revamp

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st January 2022

A landmark building in Altrincham which was once home to House of Fraser is set to undergo a huge refurbishment.

The former Rackhams building will be renamed and overhauled to become a blend of workspace, retail and leisure.

It’s part of Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works‘ ongoing improvements to the Stamford Quarter.

Plans for the new Foundation building were approved by the council’s planning committee in a meeting on Thursday.

Read more: Altrincham named ‘best place to live’ in the North West for the second year running

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The old department store shut down in 2018 but will now be converted and extended to provide 50,000 sq ft of commercial workspace, and 25,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.

Once the work is completed, the building will be the first regional Pioneer building, part of a £100m programme.

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It’s hoped that Foundation will encourage more people to visit the heart of Altrincham town centre, supporting the long-term growth of the local economy.

Plans for the Foundation building. Credit: Supplied

The plans that have now been approved include space for a cafe, restaurant and retail on the ground floor, spilling out into Stamford Square.

Elsewhere, there will be a gym and wellness area and extensive storage for bikes, hoping to encourage a cycling commute.

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A 340 sq m living wall in the atrium, and an external green wall, with feed into Bruntwood’s biophilia vision, connection people and nature while reducing noise levels.

The building will also have its insulation and airtightness improved to make it more sustainable.

The former Rackhams and House of Fraser building. Credit: Google Maps

A new two-storey extension is set to be added on to the old Rackhams building, with new terraces and a solar panel system on the roof.

The vision is for Stamford Square to become a focal point for Altrincham’s existing high street.

Cllr Andrew Western, leader of Trafford Council, said: “Trafford Council has carried out a huge amount of work in Altrincham and we are very proud of what we have achieved.

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Plans for Stamford Square. Credit: Bruntwood Works

“The Council has been at the forefront of the regeneration of the town centre in recent years including our work on the successful Market Quarter, public realm works and Altrincham Business Improvement District.

“The Rackhams building is close to the hearts of people who live in Altrincham and following close consultation with residents we will redevelop it to meet the needs of a modern town centre with a mix of workspace, retail and leisure.

“This project will help Altrincham become an even more successful town centre and I for one will be delighted to see it take shape.”

Read more: A Manc’s guide to: Chinatown, the second-largest in the whole of the UK

Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood Works, said: “Altrincham is already a town centre success story, bucking the story of decline that has defined so many of its peers around the country.

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“The pandemic’s lasting impact on where people want to spend more time to work, shop and play locally means there is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen its offering. That’s what Foundation will do.

“It will give Altrincham all the ingredients that the high streets of tomorrow need. By blending premium workspaces, retail and leisure, we’re providing a new and much-needed amenity that complements the existing operators within Stamford Quarter and the wider town centre.

“We can’t wait to see Foundation take shape and underpin this new chapter for Altrincham.”

Featured image: Supplied

Property

Inside Stockport’s stunning Grade II-listed waterside home for sale with its own private canal mooring

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Bleak House

Fancy a look inside a Grade II-listed property that’s currently on the market in the stunning Stockport countryside?

The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £1.25 million before you can call it yours.

Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £1.25 million just sitting in their bank accounts right now, but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.

Take a look behind the grand front door of what is, by far, one of the most unique properties the Greater Manchester housing market has to offer at the moment.

This is Bleak House.

This is Bleak House / Credit: eXp UK

Although the name doesn’t do it much justice, it has to be said, this magnificent five-bedroom detached stone residence overlooks stunning views as far as the eye can see.

And can you believe it’s only in Stockport too? Well, Marple shall we say, which is very much one of the borough’s most sought-after and affluent residential areas, combining the best of semi-rural living with easy access to all the amenities in the town’s centre, as well as Manchester being not far off either, so it’s ideally placed for peace and quiet yet modern life is within reaching distance.

Bleak House is actually a former mill manager’s house, and dates all the way back to the early 19th century, with associations to Samuel Oldknow and Peter Arkwright, making it a property of both archaeological and historical significance.

It’s a stunning five-bedroom Grade II-listed residence in the Stockport countryside / Credit: eXp UK

Gaining its Grade II-listed status in 1967, the house itself offers some 3,000 square feet of living accommodation set over three floors.

Due to is listed status, this means the current owners have been required to carry out all recent development works as ‘sympathetically’ as possible, with strict requirements adhered to along the way, and you’ll see once you step through the grand front doors that the property has managed to perfectly blend period charm with contemporary touches.

Some of the stand-out features the property boasts is a living room with a wood burner set in stone fire surround and dual-aspect sash windows offering far-reaching views, and a recently-fitted bespoke kitchen diner at the heart of the home, along with a separate boot room and utility room.

Inside Bleak House
Inside Bleak House
The property has its own separate annex and even its own private canal mooring / Credit: eXp UK

There are also four generous-sized double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite, and not only has the property been recently extended, but there is also planning permission granted for further reception rooms, plus a car shelter and storage space.

As well as the main house, there’s also a self-contained annex that comes with property, and this has also been recently refurbished, and now presents as a way to generate some extra income from short stays and holiday lets.

Once you step outside the property, it’s just as impressive as it is on the inside.

Bleak House faces south with the Peak Forest Canal to the west and Strines Road to the east.

To the front of the property, there’s a long driveway providing plenty of off-road parking, and EV car charging point, and a large lawn surrounded by woodland, while to the rear, there’s also another large lawn area with various steps, pathways, and tiers leading up to the canal.

At the top is a decked patio area that offers some of the best views of the pictursque Goyt Valley adjacent to the canal, with the property’s own private mooring. 

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Bleak House is currently on the market with the North West branch of property company eXp UK for a whopping £1.25 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.

Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.

Featured Image – eXp UK

Property

Landmark Manchester building Campfield Market to reopen as creative ‘mega campus’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Landmark Manchester building Campfield Market to reopen as creative 'mega campus'

Finally, Manchester’s historic Campfield Market is being brought back to life, set to turn into a creative tech campus.

The huge space – part of which was previously the Air and Space Hall at the Science and Industry Museum – will soon reopen as a ‘mega campus’ for the city’s creative and tech businesses.

The plans revealed by Allied London show a whopping 130,000 sq ft campus across three buildings, including the two landmark Victorian market halls.

Set to launch this June, Campfield will be home to flexible workspaces, cafes, media studios, a bar, and plenty more.

A highlight will be Campfield House, ‘the city’s newest destination for socialising and entertainment’, home to a cafe, event space, the Campfield House Bar, and weekend craft markets and food stalls, all set beneath the building’s iconic glass roof

At the heart of the mega campus will be Department at Campfield, with a range of cutting-edge facilities and flexible workspaces from private offices to creative studios to co-working areas.

There’ll also be mixed media studios, workshops, meeting rooms, all based on the success of existing Department workspaces established in 2020 across Manchester and Leeds.

Elsewhere, the creative tech-specialising Exchange will provide critical resources, coaching and community to businesses – it’s already supported more than 1000 individuals and 200 businesses.

The vision for Campfield in Manchester
The vision for Campfield in Manchester

Of the two listed former market halls, the smaller will become Campfield Studios, with production spaces and studios around a dramatic central atrium available for hire.

And completing the Campfield campus will be Castlefield House, where members will find a dynamic media workspace and hospitality hub, with a Bauhaus-inspired design and a spacious courtyard cafe.

Campfield will join other restored, repurposed and revolutionary landmarks in St John’s, like Aviva Studios, Bonded Warehouse and Manchester Goods Yard.

Michael Ingall, Chief Executive of Allied London, said: “Campfield will provide creative, tech and media businesses with the infrastructure and facilities they need to grow and develop. Importantly, it will once again be open for social gatherings and for the public to enjoy.

“The project will see these historically significant buildings given a new life and fully equipped to play an integral part in the next generation of artistic and creative output from the city’s new creative district.”

The vision for Campfield in Manchester
The vision for Campfield in Manchester

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Campfield is a much-loved historic site that has sat empty and underutilised for so long. We’ve been supporting this project from the start, bringing these important heritage buildings brought back into active use, supporting the city’s ongoing growth and boosting employment opportunities in some of the city’s key emerging sectors.

“Manchester’s reputation is growing globally as a leader in the creative, tech and media industries, and this new hub is another example of creating a supportive ecosystem where businesses can start-up, scale-up and thrive. It’s great to see this scheme come to life, bringing a renewed energy to Campfield.”

Tanya Grady, Commercial Director of Allied London, said: “The sustainable reimagination of the historic Campfield campus will become a catalyst for a new creative community. We recognise that a place for creative, tech and media companies needs a diverse set of amenities to enable innovators to produce their best work.

“Campfield will maximise the number of businesses and founders we can support in fulfilling their creative potential. Campfield possesses everything founders need to take their tech, media and creative businesses to the next level.”

Abigail Gunning, Operational Director of Department, said: “Department Campfield will offer thoughtfully designed, service-led workspaces that enable businesses to succeed.

“The new campus represents our commitment to providing amenity-rich environments where people feel fulfilled, and businesses can attract the best talent. We’re excited to continue growing our community and support businesses shaping the future of Manchester’s creative and tech landscape.”

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Featured image: Supplied

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