Property

Manchester’s landmark first skyscraper is up for sale

New life for the CIS Tower?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 28th June 2022

The first skyscraper ever built in Manchester has gone up for sale.

The CIS Tower is a familiar pillar of the city centre skyline, standing in the NOMA development near Manchester Victoria and the Northern Quarter.

The 26-storey building was previously home to Cooperative Insurance but is currently vacant.

Built in the 1960s, the Grade II-listed tower was briefly the tallest building in the UK.

Last year, the building was relaunched as ‘vertical community’ Society, promising to deliver the ‘best working environment in the city’.

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  • The CIS Tower in Manchester city centre, now known as Society. Credit: Geograph
  • The CIS Tower in Manchester city centre, now known as Society. Credit: Unsplash

The hunt is now on to find a new owner for this landmark commercial property, which will have food, drink and retail space at street level as well as 143,527 sq ft of workspace in the tower, and a further 207,379 sq ft in the podium element.

Marketing materials from Castlebrooke Investments, BSB (Bampton Satchwell Bull) and Colliers state: “Society has been designed to provide a vibrant stimulating working environment at the heart of Manchester’s most exciting district.

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“The design philosophy has been to respond to occupiers needs and aspirations – both “work and play”, and create a “vertical community” that connects to the wider community and is accessible to all.

The CIS Tower in Manchester city centre, now known as Society. Credit: SocietyMCR

“The creation of such an iconic building whilst cognisant of technical and operational needs in the form of best design guidance – has responded to create a place of enjoyment and fulfilment which will help in attracting and retaining talent and a place that occupiers customers and partners will enjoy.”

A spokesperson from Castlebrooke said: “Castlebrooke has worked strategically alongside core stakeholders to put measures in place to deliver what is now believed to be the best ‘oven ready’ redevelopment opportunity in Manchester.

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“The global prestige and iconic reputation of the former CIS Tower, alongside Castlebrooke’s compelling vision for the scheme, has brought about interest from investors/developers across the globe.

Read more: Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl – line-up and everything you need to know about Manchester’s open-air gig series

“As such, we believe now is the right time to offer the opportunity up to one of the many interested parties to take the asset forward.”

At the time the Society plans were revealed last year, Sir Richard Leese, then-leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a landmark site with a proud history which has been honoured through Castlebrooke’s sympathetic redevelopment programme.

“Society complements the established neighbourhood of vibrant communities in this part of the city and marks an exciting new era for the building and a creative re-imagining of an established working environment, which Manchester’s business community will no doubt embrace.”

Featured image: SocietyMCR

Property

Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.

Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.

The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.

This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.

Middleton regeneration plans
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.
Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.
Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.
Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)

The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.

This comes just weeks after the borough of Rochdale was named the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025’, being handed the baton by last year’s recipient, Bolton.

Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.

Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.

For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.

This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.

The proposed Middleton regeneration plans including a cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.
Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.
Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)

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This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.

Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”

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Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)

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

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