Historic former Women’s Refuge on market for £6m

A private investor has brought to market Ashton House in Manchester city centre for a guide price of £6m. 

The mixed-use, 30,000sq ft property currently features 57 residential units and backpackers’ hotel accommodation. International real estate adviser Savills is handling the sale. 

Originally constructed as a Women’s Refuge around 1900, the detached, listed building is of significant historical importance to the city. 

The income producing residential units, let on assured shorthold tenancies, are located across the upper floors while the backpackers’ hotel accommodation occupies the ground and basement floors. 

Ashton House is on Corporation Street, fronting on to the Co-operative headquarters and surrounded by the £800m mixed-use NOMA development. 

Manchester Victoria station is less than 300 metres away, while Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, the Printworks, the Corn Exchange and Manchester Arena are all within close proximity.

Tom Cunningham, hotels director at Savills, said: “We are anticipating strong investor interest in Ashton House, based on the existing income streams.  Long term revenue could be further increased by creating additional residential units or serviced apartments in the space currently used as a backpackers’ hotel, subject to planning consent.”