Welsh Baptist Chapel site sold

THE site of the former Welsh Baptist Chapel in Manchester has been sold to a student housing investment company.

Listed group Empiric Student Property has paid £1m for the freehold of the Grade II listed, neogothic-style site on Upper Brook Street, which has planning consent for a 93 bed residential development.

Empiric said it is negotiating with a potential developer on a forward-funded development contract for the site.  

The Welsh Baptist Chapel, which includes the former chapel, chapel annex and associated grounds, is less than five minutes’ walk from the main city campuses of both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.  

Paul Hadaway, chief executive of Empiric Student Property said: “Manchester has the largest full-time higher education student population outside London.  As well as the two main universities, University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, the city is home to several smaller institutions such as the Royal Northern College of Music.

“This is an opportunity for Empiric to gain a presence in this important student centre, with the development of an impressive and historically significant building.”