Entrepreneur Oliver Cookson funds resi project in Manchester property hot spot
Work has started on the conversion of a historic 1800s police station in Manchester’s New Cross area with MyProtein founder Oliver Cookson backing developer CERT property.
The developer has joined forces with Cookson’s family office to build 81 apartments in a high-quality residential scheme featuring a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, duplex penthouse apartments and townhouses.
Cookson is understood to be the sole equity investor on the site, but CERT will also be seeking a debt package in due course to fund the scheme.
CERT are already discussing upcoming projects with the Cookson family office.
Cookson established the sports nutrition business Myprotein and sold the business to THG in “a nine-digit exit” in 2011.
Nestled between Ancoats, the Green Quarter and the city centre, New Cross has seen significant investment and development with FEC’s New Cross Central and the PRS scheme, the Poplins, the most recent residential developments to be completed in the area.
CERT’s managing director, Howard Lord said: “New Cross is an exciting emerging district with this historic site right at its heart. We’re excited to play our part in the area’s regeneration and continue our track record of celebrating historic buildings and structures, and incorporating them into our projects as we did with the nearby Popworks project and as we have done elsewhere.
“This fits with our ethos of reuse of existing structures where possible to minimise waste and carbon output in development,” he said.
Oliver Cookson said: “I am very pleased to be able to invest back in the community where I have my roots and to actively participate in the rejuvenation of the city through this redevelopment. The project will transform a landmark left abandoned into high quality housing affordable to many Manchester young professionals.”
CERT has retained Tim Groom Architects and Youth as its interior design partners for Peelers Yard.
CERT has several schemes in Greater Manchester, including the 45-home SONA development, which is due to complete in Autumn 2023, and has recently submitted planning permission for its third Old Trafford Civic Quarter scheme, Velocity.
