Canals, culture, waterfront bars, a mixture of Roman and industrial architecture and great restaurants all encompassed within a relaxed neighbourhood, sounds pretty good? Well, Castlefield could be the place for you. Castlefield was transformed into the amazing residential space it is today in the late 1980s by the Central Manchester Development Corporation who wanted to inject new life into the city and it has gone from strength to strength. From warehouse conversions to new builds it is one of the hotspots for property in Manchester possessing some of the best penthouses in the city.
Described as ‘one of the prettiest places in Manchester’, it combines the rare mix of peace and tranquillity with central city life and its designation as the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park in 1982 safeguards the tranquillity by creating a largely traffic-free haven. Castlefield is not only popular due to its architectural aesthetic qualities it also acts as a thriving centre of cultural activity, containing buildings such as the cultural complex HOME, the Museum of Science and Industry and the influential Castlefield Gallery.
HOME is Manchester’s £25mmulti-discipline arts venue, boasting a large gallery, two theatres, five cinema screens, a bar, a bookshop, a cafe and even more. The programme of activities and performances at the venue has been described as innovative, challenging and unique making it a must visit not only within Castlefield but within the city itself. Therefore, it not only attracts locals, it has also become a centre of tourism and a great generator of prosperity for the rest of the city. It also houses attractions such as the Castlefield Bowl, a canal-side outdoor venue that hosts musical events and it even contains the ruined Roman fort of Mamucium, from which the city itself takes its name from.
The area is full of interesting architectural feats and Manchester City Council is always keen to expand and develop this area with more high quality structures and conversions. The council describes Castlefield as a centre of innovation where imaginative new proposals for development are likely to receive a warm welcome. There are still many disused or semi-derelict buildings which they are keen to develop making way for new businesses such as cafes, pubs, clubs and bars for ground floor projects and housing, offices, studios, galleries and museums to occupy the upper floors of large buildings, meaning property and architecture jobs in this area are only going to become more readily available. Manchester City Council are also keen to stress that modern materials used in a modern manner are also welcomed in the area to compliment the eclectic union of industrial meets contemporary and their most important stipulation is simply that buildings and projects are completed to a high standard.
A project such as the proposal for a scheme to build 108 apartments on the former Excelsior Mill site in Castlefield which was granted planning permission by Manchester’s City Council planning committee in mid-2017 is a great example of the thriving architectural developments within this part of the city. The £26 million eight-storey scheme designed by Manchester-based practise Tim Groom Architects comprises of one, two and three-bedroom apartments which will be marketed for private sale. There has already been significant interest from potential buyers and with a building set to contain balconies, a communal roof garden and on-site parking with a basement car park it is no surprise. This ambitious development which will reinterpret the architectural history of the site will provide high quality residential spaces next to Manchester’s iconic Bridgewater Canal and is just one example of the various different architectural opportunities and new property projects that are constantly popping up within the area.
If you decide to live here you will be moving into a slightly higher price bracket for accommodation compared to other parts of Manchester city centre, but in this unique and impressive space you truly get your money’s worth. It’s a place where you can live, work and explore alongside stunning canal-side views. Its innovative projects have helped the area go from strength to strength and new architectural developments add even more excitement to the area. For a combination of leisure, culture and opportunity you should definitely consider Castlefield.
Written by Lisa Clifton- Director at Clifton Gray
Clifton Gray is a specialist property recruitment consultancy. We specialise in placing property professionals within architecture, residential property, and commercial property. We recruit from entry level through to senior appointments.
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