Urban Splash and Town Centre Securities are breathing life back into one of Manchester’s last untouched mills

October2017

As it gets ready to mark 25 years of transforming disused buildings and spaces, regeneration company Urban Splash is going back to its roots and creating classic Urban Splash lofts in Manchester.

The Avro lofts are well placed between the Northern Quarter and Ancoats Urban Village, just minutes from Cutting Room Square, Rudy’s and Kettle Bell Kitchen.

Housed within the building formerly known as Brownsfield Mill on Great Ancoats Street, the lofts will be some of the biggest the city has to offer, with floorplates of up to 2,600 sq ft; and with starting sizes from 840 sq ft, there’s a range of homes on offer for buyers.

The Piccadilly Basin area of Manchester is owned by Leeds and London based property investment and development company, Town Centre Securities (TCS) who recently secured outline planning for the regeneration of the area under Manchester City Councils Strategic Regeneration Framework.

Speaking ahead of their launch, Urban Splash Chairman Tom Bloxham MBE said: “It’s been well over two decades since we came to Manchester and discovered the amazing Victorian mills here; sympathetically restoring them is something we’re proud of doing so I’m really pleased that Avro allows us to revert to our classic Urban Splash style.
‘It’s a beautiful building and it’s perfect for some classic Splash homes, with typical hallmarks that bring original features together with a 21st Century aesthetic.” We have been working in partnership with owners TCS for the past 18 months to secure planning permission for what we both feel will be a great addition to this part of Manchester.

Alistair Smith, Associate Director at TCS said: “We have owned this historic asset as part of the Piccadilly Basin estate for many years and are delighted to have worked with Urban Splash to secure planning for what we feel will be some of the best Loft Style apartments in the City. We look forward to seeing the transformation of Avro come to life and to be a part of the exciting regeneration of this key location within the heart of Manchester”.

The 31 homes have been designed by architect Roger Stephenson and his Stephenson STUDIO team; the architects have equal experience in transforming buildings like this and have previously worked with Urban Splash on schemes including the nearby Smithfield Buildings in Manchester.

The building’s new moniker is a nod to A.V Roe – the aviation business originally based within Brownsfield Mill and renowned for innovative creations including the Manchester Bomber. Explaining how that legacy has worked its way into the new building Urban Splash’s residential director Guy Ackernley explained:

“We’re passionately committed to preserving the history of the building in its future and much of the fabric will be retained in the homes when they complete. They’re a brilliant proposition for anyone who loves that traditional architecture and spacious, urban homes.

“We think there’ll be a big appeal amongst customers who bought their first lofts in Manchester back in the 90’s and who now want to buy their last; we’re bringing them masses of space, history and stunning design.”

Prices start at £275,000 and exclusive one-to-one viewings for interested customers are being arranged now. The impressive lofts will be ready for occupancy in 2019.

Piccadilly Basin

A stunning waterside mixed use development spanning 12.8 acres, Piccadilly Basin is an urban oasis offering office, residential, retail and leisure fa...

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