Urban Splash completes House at New Islington; unveils plans for modular apartments
Award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has completed all 43 hoUSes at New Islington in Manchester. All are now occupied having been sold ahead of their launch last year.
The modular family homes designed by shedkm architects allow customers to choose the size of their property, be that 1000 or 1500 sq ft, and dictate a layout suitable for them. The 1000 sq ft base model was launched at £200,000 but demand means values have increased, with more recent sales reaching £275,000.
All of the hoUSes are now occupied by a range of customers; from first time buyers some of whom have taken advantage of Help to Buy, young professionals moving up from flats in the city, older people downsizing and others looking for more space, gardens and parking in the city centre.
The hoUSes have also attracted families interested in the vast nearby facilities including the OFSTED Outstanding New Islington Free School – which has just moved into a permanent building adjacent to the hoUSe site.
Urban Splash head of residential sales Guy Ackernley explains: “hoUSe caught the attentions of customers in Manchester for two reasons; one because it is a head-turning concept that gave the generation of Grand Designs fans control of their layout, but secondly because there’s long been an appetite for some form of family home in the city centre.
“The New Islington Free School, New Islington Metrolink station, Cotton Field Park, Marina and health centre all contribute to make New Islington into one of Manchester’s most desirable areas. It’s no wonder we’ve seen such a great mix of customers buy there.”
Propelled by the success of hoUSe, Urban Splash has now also submitted a planning application for Mansion hoUSe with shedkm. Adopting the modular, offsite construction processes used on hoUSe, Mansion hoUSe consists of 84 apartments in New Islington. Subject to planning approval clusters of two bedroom apartments will be created, with customers sharing an entrance and stairway. They will sit adjacent to hoUSe facing New Islington Marina.
Continued Guy: “The benefits associated with modular construction are vast and, by applying this method to apartment buildings, we can help create more spacious, well-designed homes which disrupt the traditional apartment stock in Manchester.
“With hoUSe, customers have embraced the new aesthetics that come with modular technology – should we be successful in securing planning for Mansion hoUSe at New Islington, I believe we can replicate this.”
Ian Killick, director of shedkm architects said: “We’re delighted to see the hoUSe project completed at New Islington and to continue working with Urban Splash with the submission of Mansion hoUSe. We believe that these schemes are game changers, which can tackle the current housing shortage this country is facing. They also happen to be homes that people are proud to live in.”
A planning application has been lodged with Manchester City Council for the development of Mansion hoUSe with a decision expected later this year. Urban Splash is also on site with its second hoUSe development at Irwell Riverside on the western side of Manchester City Centre, where fast sales mean just two, two-storey homes remain in the current phase. Customers wishing to find out more about either scheme should email live@urbansplash.co.uk
