Property round-up: Chester Rows; Britannia Invest; Caddick; Livv Housing; Olliers; Breck; PJ Livesey; Blaze Media
A guide has been issued aimed at small and medium-sized developers explaining how they can turn the upper floors of the unique Chester Rows heritage buildings into homes.
‘Living over the Rows’ has been published by a partnership of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC), the One City Plan (OCP) Making Group and think-and-do tank, Chester Great and Small (GAS).
It was produced by a trio of GAS experts – including architects, developers and planners.
Named in 2022 as the world’s most beautiful city – according to the mathematical golden ratio – Chester frequently appears in ‘Best Places to Live’ lists and in the UK’s top 10 high-street destinations, and yet, its historic medieval core is still relatively undeveloped in residential terms.
Written from a private sector perspective, ‘Living over the Rows’ offers 20 pages of comprehensive and expert step-by-step guidance, highlighting the major opportunities and potential that exists – some 1,227,000 sq ft across 197 buildings – as well as the practical challenges and key considerations of residential development.
Four myth-busting case-studies, across Bridge Street and Lower Bridge Street, Eastgate Street and Watergate Street, demonstrate what can actually be achieved through ambitious vision and innovative development.
OCP chair, Andy Farrall, said: “The spaces above the Rows are hidden in plain sight yet are just waiting to be returned to residential accommodation. These beautiful and quirky buildings are central to breathing new life into our city though increased footfall and enhanced vibrancy.
“The purpose of ‘Living above the Rows’ is to outline the potential challenges and solutions, so that imaginative developers feel empowered to explore these unique opportunities further.”
Over the past four years the Rows have benefited from a central government funded programme of £1.08m for Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) improvements which concluded in May 2024.
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Bridgewater House
Britannia Invest, asset managed by Catella APAM and advised by Savills, has leased space at Bridgewater House on Whitworth Street in Manchester to Victoria College of Art and Design.
The higher learning institution has agreed a new 16-year lease on the office space which is located on the fifth floor at Bridgewater House and totals 20,034 sq ft, paying an annual rent of £26 per sq ft.
The scheme provides 180,000 sq ft of character office space across 10 floors including communal amenity space with a café and business lounge, substantial on-site shower and changing and cycle storage.
The recent refurbishment works offer best in class office provisions with a focus on minimising its environmental impact in its operations and has achieved an Energy Performance rating of A.
In addition to this letting, further space has recently become available in the building with 20,000 sq ft currently under refurbishment on the fourth floor ready to launch in the new year.
Within close proximity to Manchester’s Oxford Road station, Bridgewater House is located near St Peter’s Square, a key hub of city life and within a short distance to the Metrolink tram network.
Daniel Barnes, office agency director at Savills Manchester, said: “Bridgewater House offers impressive architecture that perfectly combines traditional features with a high quality and modern specification, making it the ideal space for a creative occupier such as Victoria College of Art and Design. We are excited to welcome them to the building and we look forward to launching the fourth floor in the new year.”
Edwards is joint letting agent.
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Victorian Plumbing
Caddick has reached completion of a major fit-out programme at Victorian Plumbing’s new 544,000 sq ft logistics hub, marking the overall completion of the first phase of Farington Park, in Lancashire.
Fit-out of the BREEAM Excellent development began in September 2023, closely following completion of the base-build of Caddick’s Farington Park, brought forward through a funding deal with Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Canmoor.
The £13m fit-out programme included mechanical and electrical installations in the 508,124 sq ft warehouse, with large scale air handling units, dock levelers, smoke alarm systems, integrated sprinkler systems and a two-storey mezzanine also installed.
Caddick also carried out a full high-spec fit-out of the 35,876 sq ft of office space, and managed the health and safety of a full racking fit-out in the main warehouse, where Victorian Plumbing has consolidated its North West operations under a 20-year lease.
Upholding the development’s BREEAM Excellent rating, Caddick’s fit-out also included solar panels and electrical vehicle charging for service vehicles. This adds to the development’s sustainability credentials, which includes 20% Biodiversity Net Gain achieved through a de-culverted river to open up habitats for local wildlife, alongside a £500,000 investment to complete a section of the Leyland Loop cycleway.
Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, said: “Having delivered the base build at Farington Park on behalf of our colleagues at Caddick Developments, we are very proud to have taken forward the fit-out for anchor tenant, Victorian Plumbing, and to have worked with them to create a high specification and sustainable logistics hub at the centre of their operations.”
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Watchfactory phase two
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, has cut the ribbon to officially mark the completion of Livv Housing Group’s phase two development at The Watchfactory in Prescot, Merseyside. The transformative project has delivered 191 affordable new homes, creating a thriving, intergenerational community.
The Watchfactory Phase Two features a range of properties, with 80 two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, eight one-and-two-bedroom bungalows, and 103 one-and-two-bedroom apartments spread across three blocks.
The mixed-tenure scheme includes homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and rent to buy, ensuring accessibility for everyone, from first-time buyers and families to those looking to downsize or live independently with access to support.
Among the development, the Clockwork Court apartment block is specifically designed for extra care, while Watchmaker Court and the bungalows offer Inspired Living Shared Ownership.
The development wraps around the original Grade II-listed Watch Factory building, which Livv redeveloped into an extra care facility as part of phase one in 2018. Residents of phase two have access to existing communal amenities, such as the bistro and beauty salon, enhancing the sense of community.
Built on former derelict land and replacing outdated housing, the project was delivered by Vistry Partnerships, with £9.3m grant funding from Homes England.
Yvonne Westhead-Fyles, Director of Development at Livv Housing Group, said: “The Watchfactory Phase Two is our largest project to date, and we’re so proud to see it come to fruition.”
Steve Rotheram said: “Developments like this are absolutely crucial for our region’s future. Not only are they helping to regenerate areas like Prescot, they’re also providing much needed, high quality affordable housing for local people.
“By delivering a mix of homes for affordable rent, shared ownership, and rent to buy, this scheme is ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to find a place they can call home.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, leader of Knowsley Council, said: “This fantastic development further enhances the real variety of affordable housing options in the borough.”
Gemma Hardy, Managing Director of Vistry Merseyside and Cheshire West, said: “The Watchfactory is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when partners and local stakeholders work together.”
Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said: “The Watchfactory – in its various phases – is a perfect example of how the Agency works collaboratively with partners like Livv, to achieve our mission of building much needed new homes in communities that people can be proud to call home.”
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Northspring | Peter Street, in Manchester, has welcomed Olliers to the building as it takes a lease on the entire fourth floor, leaving just two suites available.
Olliers is a criminal defence and regulatory law firm with offices in Manchester and London. It specialises in the defence of individuals, businesses, and other organisations across a broad range of cases.
Ruth Peters, Business Development and Marketing Director at Olliers, said: “Our team has grown rapidly since moving to 196 Deansgate in 2018, and we’ve outgrown our current office. We wanted a premium space that reinforces Olliers’ position as a market leader in pre-charge investigations and criminal law. Northspring | Peter Street stood out for its fantastic location and polished finish.”
Rosie Veitch, of Sixteen Real Estate, said: “This milestone reflects the collaborative effort of the Northspring team and underscores the value of agility and flexibility in attracting new occupiers.”
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Croxton Lane
Preston-based property developer, Breck, is set to begin construction of 65 affordable homes in Middlewich following planning approval at committee.
The development will sit on two pieces of land either side of Croxton Lane next to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
It is being built on behalf of Great Places Housing Group and will feature a combination of one-to-four-bedroom affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, as well as new public amenities including a children’s play area and green space.
Breck completed the unconditional purchase of the site in December 2023, from Anwyl Land and expects to begin construction in February 2025, after the development was approved by Cheshire East Council.
Andy Garnett, director, Breck said: “There is a real demand for quality affordable housing in the Middlewich and Cheshire area, particularly for smaller two- to three-bedroom properties, and this development has been brought forward specifically with this local need in mind.
“Half of the properties will be available for shared ownership, meaning this new development will not only create a new community, giving local individuals, couples and families a new place to call home, but will also mean many will have an opportunity to own their property, something they otherwise may not have been able to.”
Formed in 2020, Breck specialises in developing affordable houses between 25 and 250 units for registered affordable housing providers as well as homes for open market sale on sites between 10 and 50 units.
It currently has an active development pipeline of around 1,300 housing units across the North of England.
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Kings Gate
Specialist property developer, PJ Livesey, has unveiled new images of the final set of homes at Kings Gate, formerly the iconic King’s School in Macclesfield.
West Gate, a mix of eco-friendly mews-style homes and apartments, is currently under construction. These homes will showcase the signature PJ Livesey architectural style, as seen in phase one at Kings Gate and other developments across the UK.
Newly released images reveal high-specification contemporary living spaces, with stunning views over the central green space.
These homes will also feature cutting-edge energy saving technology, allowing residents to reduce their energy bills. This includes triple-glazed windows, EV charging points, solar panels, and homes built to the highest EPC rating of A.
The development forms part of a collection of 81 converted and newly built homes. The Grade II-listed Main School Building is currently being restored into 36 elegant heritage homes, expected to be completed next year.
The site is rich in history, with King’s School being one of the oldest in the country, tracing its origins back to 1502.
Gavin Pearce, Group Sales Manager of PJ Livesey, said: “It feels like yesterday when we first put spades in the ground at Kings Gate. We’re incredibly proud to be unveiling the final phase of homes, which are already contributing to the thriving community we’re building.”
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Rebecca Waterfield and Paul Webley
Liverpool digital agency, Blaze Media, has moved out of Digital House in the Baltic Triangle and into a new, bigger office space on Stanhope Street to facilitate its growing team.
Spearheaded by Managing Director, Paul Webley, who created the business in December 2017, Blaze Media has grown since its inception.
With a team of 15, and more than 60 clients, including Merseyrail, Sennheiser, LEAF Tea Shop and Suttons, Blaze Media has become renowned for its digital services in Liverpool and beyond.
Blaze Media’s new office is in the centre of the Baltic Triangle on Stanhope Street, and is over two floors with 4,600 sq ft of space.
Paul Webley said: “Since creating Blaze, myself and the team have worked so hard to create a digital agency that we’re so proud of.”
Rebecca Waterfield, Operations Director, said: “The office move marks a new stage in Blaze Media’s growth strategy. With the additional space, and our own dedicated office, we can broaden our specialist services and give our team the very best environment to work in.”
