Urban Splash to develop Manchester's biggest ever lofts

Urban Splash will work on Brownsfield Mill with owners Town Centre Securities after the pair signed a development agreement for the scheme, which forms part of the Piccadilly Basin regeneration area.

A classic Victorian mill, it features red brick, timber and big windows, and was formerly home to aviation company Avro. It is one of Manchester’s last unconverted mills which, upon completion, will offer traditional, canalside apartments; some of them the biggest in the city with lateral lofts of up to 4,000 sq ft of space taking up entire floorplates.

Speaking of the plans, Urban Splash Chairman Tom Bloxham MBE said: “I am delighted to announce more growth for our portfolio. Brownsfield Mill was really appealing to us; we started developing loft apartments 25 years ago and it’s been a joy to find this immaculate building beside the canal in the Northern Quarter.
“There is lots of design work to be done but we’re looking forward in due course to revealing more details about this building.”

Edward Ziff, Chairman of TCS said: “We’re delighted to announce this latest phase of Piccadilly Basin; we have known Urban Splash for many years and are pleased to have agreed terms to develop Brownsfield Mill together. This development forms a key part of Manchester City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework and is a good fit with our ongoing redevelopment of the Basin.”

This is the second portfolio announcement in a week for Urban Splash following its recent purchase of the Office Village commercial scheme in Salford Quays with JV partner Pears. The company has also in the past year acquired developments around the country including Barton Business Park in Eccles, the former Regiment pub in Castlefield, Phoenix Mill in Ancoats plus sites in Walsall, Salford and the Civic Centre in Plymouth.