The population of Manchester city centre is booming. The number of people living in the centre is expected to top 60,000 in the next two years – fuelled by new jobs, new homes and the ever expanding lifestyle on offer.
But where to live?
MEN Property has selected the top nine apartments in the city for those looking to buy into the bright lights lifestyle.
Best microapartment - £109,950
Manchester planners did not like the idea of these innovative studio spaces which is why you will only find Abito buildings in Salford and Trafford.
But they are clever, with the sleeping area with its pull-down bed and fitted wardrobes and storage, separated from the living area by the kitchen/bathroom pod.
One wall of glass opening onto a balcony plus the height of the space makes them feel roomier than they are. Perfect if you want a place in the city for under £600 a month and prefer to eat out rather than deliver dinner parties for eight.
Best apartment to take a chance on - £110,000
This one bedder on Oldham Street is in need of some TLC but done up well it could be the perfect place if you are looking for a city centre bolt hole.
There’s a bid of £110,000 on the table so you will have to act quickly if you are looking for a project.
And be warned that this is only worth taking a chance on if you want to live there yourself as the lease prohibits sub-letting, so no would be landlords thank you.
Best for first time buyers - £195,000
A two-bed apartment in proper Castlefield for under £200,000. This modest red brick building is on Barton Road, a cobbled street that leads down to the lovely green space of the Roman Gardens then round to the canal network around Dukes.
Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, lots of kitchen and double doors onto a balcony. There’s no parking but who needs a car when you are just off Deansgate and are two minutes from the tram and the train.
Best new build apartments - £296,000
A tough one given the amount of new building but Local Blackfriars on Trinity Way in Salford will be a game changer for both amenity and quality.
At the centre is the Black Friars pub and behind it an acre of landscaped grounds which will apparently have a VW Camper van parked in it for summer barbecues.
Add in 24-hour concierge, a deluxe cinema, launderette, gym, yoga/dance room and bike storage and you won’t need to venture far. The only one beds left are up at penthouse level but you can get a two-bed for under £300,000 and the fit-out is top class. Completes this month.
Best character apartment - £500,000
Everyone loves a mill conversion and the Grade II* Royal Mills is probably one of the best. Not least because of the impressive entrance with old machinery still in evidence but also the central courtyard which gives you scale.
This three bedroom triplex is right at the top so benefits from the added drama of original beams as well as the metal poles holding the building together.
The quirky layout gives an internal sunroom and there are amazing views as far as the Peak District.
Best outside space - £550,000
The sun terrace of this duplex apartment in The Quadrangle is a vast 700sq ft – bigger than some two bedroom apartments. And it has been landscaped with trellis and lots of planting to create a proper city centre oasis. A private green retreat.
The apartment itself is also bespoke with two bedrooms knocked into one vast master bedroom suite and the big open plan living/dining space is flooded with light from lots of windows. Tandem spaces underground means parking space for the gardener if you need it.
ITV This Morning viewers distracted by pet detective's 'manspreading'
Best apartment with a pool - £600,000
The pool at Skyline Central is a proper thing. Tiled in black and perched high above the street in a glass box you can do laps against a backdrop of the city centre.
There’s also a jacuzzi from which you can admire the ever-changing horizon and a steam room and gym in this well maintained building.
This apartment has three beds so could just about accommodate a synchronized swimming team and big open plan living/dining room for socialising. Two parking spaces underground.
Best party apartment - £1,000,000
Where to start with this exuberant apartment on Canal Street with a terrace overlooking the park.
Maybe the surround sound system and built in speakers, the strip ceiling lights or the vaulted living room? The bespoke stainless steel kitchen has every possible appliance and a wall of glass which opens to a terrace overlooking the street and Sackville Gardens.
The master bedroom has its own dressing area with walk-in wardrobe and there’s a guest bedroom and bathroom should partying go on all night.
'Duck lip' mum fears being mocked in street after botched filler treatment
The streets plagued by thugs where police have been forced to take drastic action this weekend
Best penthouse - £1,895,000
The lushest of penthouses. Built ten years ago but never bettered. This four bedroom duplex in Leftbank at Spinningfields, has almost 4,000 sq ft of living and outside space.
It is at the back of the building so has open views down the River Irwell and faces west so you get the sunset from the large terrace and wrap around balconies.
The living space is vast, the kitchen sleek and the bathrooms sumptuous. It’s got a home cinema, mood lighting and even a wood panelled study.
My marriage to Freddie Starr turned into hell - I tried to kill myself to end the nightmare
