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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

  • 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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

Hoarder’s house goes on sale with former owner’s remains buried in the garden

Daisy Jackson 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 property is listed at a guide price of £75,000 ahead of its auction on 6 September with Auction House Manchester.

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.

Read more: 10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | August 2022

“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 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.

Read more: Inside the £1.35m Bury mansion with an indoor pool, games room, and panoramic countryside views

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 Frank
The 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.

Read more: These historic cottages in Moss Side have been ‘brought back to life’ after a £1.1 million refurbishment

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.

Interested then? You can view the island on the Knight Frank website.

Featured Image – Knight Frank

More Property

Property

10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | August 2022

Business

Mancs encouraged to ‘follow the millionaires’ and move to Dubai to sell luxury homes

Bury

Inside the £1.35m Bury mansion with an indoor pool, games room, and panoramic countryside views

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches