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PROPERTY: Converting to a better life
by Paul R Taylor26/ 5/2005
SOME property developers seem to have taken LS Lowry's vision of
Manchester to heart.
As the profit margin influences design they're building hundreds of
matchstalk boxes for us all to live in, with our matchstalk cats
and dogs.
But there is an alternative for those bored with mass-produced
modern flats, those looking for something, well, a bit
grander.
Church conversions are providing sanctuary for buyers who want
character but don't want to sacrifice comfort and for developers
inspired by the romantic architecture of the past.
St Edmund's in Whalley Range was built in 1881 but last used as a
congregational church more than 20 years ago. It narrowly escaped
demolition in the late 1980s, despite being designed by the first
city architect of Manchester, Henry E Price.
But the Grade II listed building has now found a new lease of life,
converted into 17 flats for those who like a bit of 19th century
gothic-style architecture with their chrome bathrooms and stainless
steel kitchens.
Developer John Nono, of Nono Living Developments, and restoration
expert Peter Landa, of Brick House Developments Ltd, are
responsible for the conversion.
John said: "We bought the building for £650,000 in 2003, which is
probably at the top end because it had already changed hands
several times and came with planning permission.
"Some of the churches are up for about forty or fifty grand in the
beginning but people spot the opportunity and snap them up.
"Peter spotted the development potential of the building and
thought it would make an exciting project.
"We changed the original plans and designs to make better use of
the space, incorporating bed decks in some apartments, and trying
to make the most of features like the stained glass windows.
"The church has lots of natural features and it's a case of trying
to retain them and bring them into the design element.
"So far the interest seems to be from professional people with
quite creative jobs, and mostly men. I think people are looking for
something a bit different these days.
"The difference and the character mean conversions are quite a
personal choice and for that reason the interest is coming from
people who actually want to live in the properties, rather than
developers looking to make money from them."
St Edmund's is one of a number of church conversions nearing
completion.
St Andrew's on the Haniwells Business Park in Levenshulme has also
found itself with an unexpected new congregation.
Developer Hani Al-Salih, who owns more than 200 properties across
Manchester and Stockport, took on the project in 2001 and 12 flats
have now been installed in the building that hasn't seen a mass for
15 years.
And St Mary's, a Grade II listed building in Hulme, has been
converted by Vibe (Vision in the Built Environment) into nine one
and two bedroom flats, starting from £169,950.
And then there's the impressive St George's Church on the border of
Castlefield, with its nine-storey Clock Tower, which is believed to
be the tallest single residence in Europe and a snip at £499,000
with its own private lift.
The church was built in 1826, served the parish until 1983 and has
now undergone a three-year conversion into 25 luxury flats.
But restoration and conversion are never easy tasks; any listed
building full of stained glass and history needs to be handled with
care.
John said: "St Edmund's has been an interesting project but also
quite difficult, and I'm glad we're nearing completion.
"It has taken longer than we anticipated but I think you'd find
that with any restoration or conversion, and there's possibly a
greater sense of satisfaction as you near the end."
Amen to that, say the home buyers.
Didsbury hits the million
THE first £1m flats are about to go on sale in Didsbury.
Even in Manchester's swankiest suburb the prices have raised
eyebrows and developer Danny Samuels said: "I know some of the
agents think I am mad but they will be incredible. They are
expensive but I think Didsbury can take it."
His company, JPS Real Estate is building 12 flats on the site of a
Victorian villa on the corner of Barlow Moor Road and Mersey
Road.
Designed by Iain Beaumont, of Manchester-based architects MBLC,
they are in two blocks with a raised courtyard garden between and
underground parking. Internally they will have all the latest
specifications.
The ground floor flats flats are considered but fairly standard and
it is only as you progress up the floors that the amount of space
and light becomes apparent. The penthouse in block one, for
instance, has a huge living space, sectioned off to create a formal
reception area, TV area, with giant plasma screen built into the
wall, dining area and kitchen. Three bedrooms lead off the wide
hallway and the master suite has "his and her" dressing rooms as
well as bathrooms and another built-in plasma screen. Steps lead
from the hallway up to a private roof-top garden with fantastic
views out towards the Derbyshire hills and there are also terraces
off the main living areas.
Samuels said: "It has more space than many modern detached houses,
plus this fantastic roof garden with its own drinks kitchen so you
can mix cocktails for wonderful parties!
"I could just have thrown a couple of blocks up here and being
Didsbury they would have sold but I wanted to take it out of the
mainstream and do something extraordinary."
The most expensive house sold to date so far in Didsbury was a
seven-bedroomed Victorian villa that changed hands for £1.2m.
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
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