Lettings agency appointed as Affinity Living’s sole letting partner

Ascend, the Manchester-based residential lettings agency, has been appointed by Affinity Living as the sole letting partner for its build-to-rent (BtR) developments Riverside, Riverview and Embankment West, a total of 878 new homes.

The first phase of homes in Riverside will be ready to move into in the new year. In the meantime, Ascend has created a virtual reality suite at its Manchester Deansgate branch to help future residents choose their home and its décor, as well as learn about the huge range of facilities on offer to them, including 350mb free broadband, dry cleaning and laundry services, co-working spaces and regular social events.

Ged McPartlin, Ascend managing director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Affinity Living and its fantastic BtR developments.

“Riverside is just the start of what is going to be a great collection of buildings. I have already got potential residents excited to be choosing their own decor and furniture, they are thrilled they can even bring their pets with them.”

The 17-storey Riverside comprises 190 homes which are a mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

All apartments offer amazing views, maximized by the floor to ceiling height windows. Located on the bank of the River Irwell next to the Lowry Hotel, Riverside is just a short walk to Spinningfields and Deansgate.

Helen White, Affinity Living managing director, said: “We are thrilled to have Ascend on board for our developments. They have demonstrated an excellent understanding of our Affinity Living brand, which is about far more than providing incredible apartments.

“We aim to offer our customers as much choice as possible so they can pick an apartment that matches their individual needs, which is why there are 15 different room layouts, the option of furnished or unfurnished, bath or shower.

“When they move in, they can decorate, tweak and personalise their home to reflect their own style.

“Ascend know what makes our residents tick and their marketing is pitched perfectly. The virtual reality marketing suite Ascend has created means everyone can get a taste of life in Riverside well ahead of building work being complete.”

Riverside interior

The other BtR developments Ascend will provide the lettings service for are Riverview, located next to Riverside, a 35-storey tower of 332 apartments which will complete in the third quarter of 2021, and the 356 apartments at Embankment West on Chapel Street, which is due for completion next year.

The appointment by Affinity Living means Ascend is now one of the leading BtR agents in Manchester having recently achieved major rental lettings successes at Clippers Quay in Salford for Grainger and Anaconda Cut for Atlas Residential.

Ascend has increased its dedicated BtR team in Manchester to 30 people, which includes marketeers as well as negotiators.