The in-depth exploration of Manchester, the UK’s hottest city for Build to Rent, took place over 24 hours starting at 5pm on Monday 16th and finishing at 5pm on Tuesday 17th September 2019.

1. MA NCHESTER
MANCHESTER DEEP DIVE STUDY TOUR.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY UKAA.
# ManchesterBTR Shaping the Future of Build-to-Rent

2. The Agenda
The in-depth exploration of Manchester, the UK’s hottest city for Build to Rent,
took place over 24 hours starting at 5pm on Monday 16th and finishing at 5pm
on Tuesday 17th September 2019.

3. Tuesday 17th September 2019 (full day)
7.30am - 8.30am Breakfast at Dakota Hotel
8.30am - 12.30pm
Visit to scheme: LOCAL Blackfriars, operated by urbanbubble
Visit to scheme: Greengate, operated by JLL
Visit to scheme: Deansgate Square, operated by urbanbubble
12.30pm - 1.30pm Lunch in the penthouse of West Tower, Deansgate Square, operated by urbanbubble
1.30pm - 5.15pm
Visit to scheme: Trilogy, operated by Allsop
Visit to scheme: The Slate Yard, operated by urbanbubble
Visit to scheme: New Maker Yards at Middlewood Locks, operated by Get Living
5.15pm End of study tour with drop-off back to Dakota Hotel
Day One
Monday 16th September 2019 (PM only)
5.30pm Meet at Dakota Hotel foyer ready for Ancoats tour
6.00pm - 7.00pm Visit to scheme: Manchester Life, Ancoats
7.30pm - 10.00pm 3 Course Dinner and networking in a local Ancoats Restaurant, Elnecot
10.00pm Tour ends
Day Two

4. Day 1
AncoatsAncoats, formerly the world’s first industrial suburb with a history of poverty has been
transformed into the 13th coolest place in the world (Time Out 2018).These days the
evidence of its industrial past can be seen in the once derelict mills now converted into
smart apartments and co-working spaces.With Ancoats gaining international recognition,
the four Manchester Life’s schemes made a great place to dive straight into the UKAA tour
– highlighting the interaction of heritage and modernism that characterises the city.

6. Walking
Tour
CottonField wharf - BTR scheme
Murrays Mills - Mill conversion for sale
Sawmill court - BTR scheme
Smiths Yard - BTR
One Cutting room Square- Build for sale
Weavers Quay - BTR scheme
It didn’t take long for members to
note Manchester Life’s distinctive and
consistent brand across the schemes
and the efforts made to preserve some
of the history of their developments,
especially former pub, The Smith’s
Arms.
Following a final Q&A with Jennifer
Bendick (Manchester Life Management
COO), the day ended with dinner
and networking in Ancoats’ Elnecote,
including a speech from special guest,
Sir Howard Bernstein, on the importance
of vision and leadership in urban
regeneration.

13. “What a
wonderful
study tour! Well
organised, fun
and informative”
-
Helen King,
Touchstone

17. “The Deep Dive which offered the
most amazing overview of a buzzing
Manchester scene. We thoroughly
enjoyed the event”
-
Peter Grimshaw, Regal Blinds

18. Day 2
City CentreThe day started off with breakfast networking at Dakota Hotel before everyone met in the
foyer to be welcomed by Michael Howard, Managing Director and owner of urbanbubble,
who shared a brief overview of the day’s itinerary.The tour split into two groups, led by
Michael Howard and Lee Hill, Director at JLL Residential, on two coaches to tour the six
schemes in opposite directions.

20. LOCAL
Blackfriars

22. LOCAL Blackfriars, operated by
urbanbubble
LOCAL Blackfriars is a PRS rather than Build To Rent scheme and was a
great illustration of the impact of individual Buy To Let ownership rather than
institutional ownership when trying to create and manage an amenity /
experience led building.
Attendees entered LOCAL Blackfriars through the once famous Black Friars
pub where they viewed 3D models of the scheme. The group were then
guided to the private residents’ courtyard which has access to the residents’
lounge (with laundry facilities following the New York design feel), gym and
cinema room.

24. GreenGate

26. Greengate, operated by JLL
The tour then took in the high-spec gym and an apartment and ended with a
Q&A with Lee Hill, who opened and is responsible for Greengate.

28. West Tower,
Deansgate
Square

30. West Tower, Deansgate Square,
operated by urbanbubble
Prestige is an understatement. The group approach the scheme and
walk up the stairs to impressive views to enter the towering art deco styled
reception. With seating all around, communal social areas and a free coffee
machine, it was hard to move the group along to see the rest of the tower.
With several high-speed elevators, there was no queuing to get to the deluxe
penthouse. There the two tour groups met up again to network over lunch
and enjoy the amazing views over the city.

32. The
Trilogy

34. The Trilogy, operated by Allsop
After entering The Trilogy, to their right, next to the lift, the tour group viewed
the mailroom (digitally linked to the scheme’s app) and a gym. Down the
corridor, where the group went next, was a communal area which residents
were encouraged to use for co-working. Within the area was a coffee
machine for residents to use for free. Allsop, the operators of The Trilogy have
made an environmentally conscious decision to replace single-use plastic
cups with branded keep-cups.
Past the communal area and the concierge’s desk was the door to the
residents’ courtyard which comprised benches around the patioed area and
behind it, a grassed area for pets.
The tour ended with a Q&A in the showroom and even branded gifts.

36. New Maker
Yards

38. New Maker Yards at Middlewood
Locks, operated by Get Living
Despite only opening in June 2019, the scheme has already reached
approximately 40% occupancy with an ambitious target to reach 100% by
the end of the year.
The tour started with a walk through the purpose-built, newly created
neighbourhood with large garden chess and multiple deck chairs in the
communal courtyard, encouraging residents to socialise.
The group were guided to the first show apartment where visitors were
welcomed with soft drinks, fruit, sweets and New Maker Yards’ own Get Living
branded ‘Seven Brothers’ beers. After inspecting this apartment, the group
were wowed by the premium luxury apartment.

40. The Slate
Yard

42. The Slate Yard, operated by
urbanbubble
The two-day study tour ended at The Slate Yard where the groups were met
by Chris and Stuart, urbanbubble’s resident management team. There was
a warm welcome all around – the receptionist, Chris, Stuart and residents in
the communal area all greeted the group as they were led to the co-working
area. Before Chris kicked off the tour with an introduction to the scheme and
a Q&A, the group were offered tea and coffee which is free to all residents.
The group walked across the courtyard to the opposite building where the
gym is located. After an explanation of what the gym offers to the residents,
visitors were taken to a show-room apartment for a walk-around and a
chance to view the city’s skyline from the balcony.

44. “The Manchester Deep Dive Study Tour
offered the most in depth analysis and
assessment of the broadest range of PRS/
BTR in the City, shining a light into every
corner, leaving no stone unturned. A
fascinating insight to the vast expansion in
the North’.”
-
Edward Grimshaw
Regal Blinds

45. “The whole day visiting the different sites
was great. I was exhausted by the end of it
but it was really well planned and organised
and I wouldn’t have changed any of it!”
-
Laura Wicks,
SAY Property

46. Thank you to everyone involved.
We look forward to welcoming returning and new
visitors to our 2020 study tours.
In the meantime, we encourage you to book onto
upcoming events: ukaa.org.uk/events.

48. MA NCHESTER
MANCHESTER DEEP DIVE STUDY TOUR.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY UKAA.
# ManchesterBTR Shaping the Future of Build-to-Rent