Property

This Ancoats mill could soon turn into 300 canalside flats and houses

Brunswick Mill on Bradford Road in Ancoats is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 1840s - but redevelopment could be on the horizon.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th May 2021

New £58 million plans to turn one of Manchester’s largest and oldest mills into a development of almost 300 canalside flats and townhouses have now been submitted.

Brunswick Mill on Bradford Road in the heart of Ancoats is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 1840s and is currently being used by a range of tenants, including textile businesses, a rehearsal space for musicians, and more.

But under these newly-submitted plans, developer Maryland Securities would convert the building into 153 apartments and 124 properties.

There would also be two new-build blocks on adjacent land.

Being a building that boasts a great deal of historical architecture, the proposals – which have been designed by architect Hodder+Partners – will see the central courtyard retained, as well as the trussed ties and vaulted ceilings.

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Brunswick Mill is currently tenanted by textiles businesses, musicians and more / Credit: Hodder+Partners

It is hoped that developing the site will help link together New Islington and the Etihad Campus.

The plans for the project – which is valued at around £58 million – include approximately 20,000 sq ft of workspace and community space on the ground floor of the refurbished mill.

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This is “to help bring activity and vibrancy to Bradford Road”, Maryland says.

A convenient, well-lit and publicly accessible route through the site to the Ashton Canal towpath will also help provide “a revived sense of place”, the developer adds.

A viability assessment for the project has also been lodged, and Maryland has confirmed that its ‘relocation consultants’ have been in contact and have discussed the future of the building with all existing occupiers of the mill, adding that: “This engagement will continue throughout the planning process.”

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The courtyard and some significant architectural features are to be retained / Credit: Hodder+Partners

Speaking on the submission of the plans, Stephen Hodder – Chairman of Hodder+Partners – said: “The main ambition of this scheme is to celebrate the listed Brunswick Mill, which is a key part of Manchester’s industrial heritage.

“The two new buildings for the site are designed to complement the mill and ensure its prominence in the area is not lost in future years.

“We want to create a sustainable and characterful neighbourhood that will enhance the local environment.”

Maryland has said it estimates that the project will create 376 off-site and on-site construction jobs, with the new residents and commercial occupiers creating an annual economic benefit of £25.5 million over the first five years.

The developers also said the new ground floor workspace and community accommodation would also support 155 jobs, which is a 45% increase compared to the current occupation.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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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