Architects’ images featuring a first look at the new secondary school to be built in the place of Belle Vue’s iconic Showcase Cinema have been released.
Showcase Cinema – which had occupied the site of the famous Belle Vue entertainment complex since 1989 – agreed to sell the land to Manchester City Council last year, with a formal planning application to redevelop the 13-acre site on Hyde Road having now been lodged.
And now, Mancunians can catch a glimpse at plans for The Co-Op Academy Belle Vue – which will be a free school for 1,200 pupils – for the first time, before it is expected to welcome its first set of Year 7 students this September.
Documents released this week show a modern L-shaped building split into three ‘zones’.
It starts with a two-storey sports block, which will boast a sports hall, auditorium, and a drama studio, and the central three-storey building includes the school’s reception, a community hub with a library on the floor above, and a dining hall.
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An adjoining sports hall also has a separate entrance for out of hours use by the wider Belle Vue community, alongside a 140-space car park.
To the rear of the proposed building – which is currently a car park – two large playing fields will be provided, along with a multi-use games area (MUGA) and training grids, which would have three courts to accommodate tennis and basketball courts, a five-a-side football pitch, and practice areas for netball and hockey.
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Sir Robert McAlpine / Space Architects
The Co-op Belle Vue Academy will be run by the Co-Op Academies Trust.
The trust manages 26 other schools in the north of England and is expected to meet demand for secondary school places in east Manchester, with temporary accommodation for students being provided at the nearby Connell Co-op College until the new school building opens in 2023. The new school will accept 120 Year 7 pupils at Connell Co-op College this year and, once fully built, it will be able to take on 240 Year 7 students every year until it reaches full capacity in 2026.
Manchester City Council had originally planned to build a 1,200-place high school at Nutsford Vale in Gorton, but the controversial proposals were met with fierce local opposition.
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A statement submitted alongside with the planning for the Co-op Belle Vue Academy says: “The Trust has an established reputation for providing a high standard of education at its existing schools and colleges and will transfer their vision and experience to the success of the new Belle Vue Academy.
“Whilst the Academy’s primary function is to provide education and learning to 11-16 year olds, it is also intended that the premises will provide functions and facilities which can be used by the wider community throughout the week.”
You can find out more about Co-op Belle Vue Academy here.
Property
Inside the £1m historic terrace for sale on one of Greater Manchester’s most sought-after streets
Emily Sergeant
A Grade II-listed property forming part of one of Greater Manchester’s most historic and sought-after rows has gone on the market.
And if you happen to have £1 million you’re willing to part with, then it could be yours.
Now, of course, as we always say before we write about these stunning homes, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have this kind of money just chilling in 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.
This five-bedroom end terraced property sits pretty on The Downs – which is by far one of the most recognisable row of houses in Altrincham – and it’s wrapped in the distinguished architecture of the 1830s, both on the outside and the inside.
With accommodations beautifully arranged over four floors, estate agents describe the home as being simply ‘exceptional’.
Benefitting from being just a stone’s throw from the thriving market town of Altrincham and everything that makes it so beloved, as well being only a 10-minute stroll to Hale village, this Grade II-listed gem manages to blend contemporary comfort with the timeless elegance of its historic 19th century surroundings.
Some of the property’s stand-out features have to be – and trust us, it’s hard to narrow down – the open-plan lounge and dining space that flows seamlessly into the stylish kitchen, and outside to the private outdoor terrace, and an additional enclosed walled garden.
There’s three generous-sized double bedrooms on the first floor of the home, while the attic level houses a tranquil en-suite escape at the top.
This £1m historic terrace is for sale on one of Greater Manchester’s most sought-after rows / Credit: Clifford Saunt Homes
The newly converted basement level provides an ‘impressive’ extra dimension to the home, according to estate agents, as well as the fifth and final bedroom – ideal for guests.
And, of course, the location of the home itself is a huge selling point for prospective buyers.
Altrincham is often named as being one of the best places to live in the UK, and for being perfect for families, in particular, thanks to its easy access to a wide range of amenities, excellent local schooling options, transport links into Greater Manchester and beyond, and for having green spaces on the doorstep.
This property is currently on the market with Altrincham-based estate agents, Clifford Saunt Homes, for Offers Over £1 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 nosy at the Rightmove link here.
Featured Image – Clifford Saunt Homes
Property
Inside the most expensive apartment for rent in Manchester that looks like a five-star hotel
Daisy Jackson
A new apartment has gone on the rental market in Manchester that’s immediately become the most expensive in the city.
The luxurious penthouse has three bedrooms, its own cinema room, and access to an 18m swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room.
Its fixtures and fittings are so lavish, it looks like a five-star hotel – and for good reason, because this apartment actually belongs to the residential arm of a premium aparthotel brand.
Coming in at a mere £15,000 per month (the ‘mere’ was sarcastic), this swish home is part of CitySuites II in Embankment West.
It’s actually so expensive, it comes in a whopping £2,500 a month more expensive than the next most-expensive apartment, which is one of the Deansgate Square penthouses.
The new Embankment West neighbourhood is in Salford, just across the river from Deansgate and Spinningfields.
And while CitySuites is maybe best-known for its aparthotel, short-stay offering, they also have a number of long-term residences – like this particular fancy SuperSuites penthouse.
The poolThe open-plan living space at the penthouseA huge bathroomThe dining area
It includes an open-plan living space with a fully equipped designer kitchen, a dining area, and a plush lounge and cinema room, with views of Manchester Cathedral from one of two balconies.
There are three bedrooms, each with hotel-quality king-size beds, a spa-inspired bathroom with rainfall shower, smart technology, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, and plenty more.
And it gets the future tenant access to CitySuites II’s premium facilities, like an 18m swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room, a 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, and a 24 hour concierge.
The apartment also comes with private car parking, and private lift access.
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2021 
