An emerging Manchester city centre neighbourhood born of 'depressing' but 'fascinating ' derelict sites and industrial buildings has been named in the Sunday Times' exclusive 'best places to live' list.
Piccadilly East is the name given to the area behind Piccadilly train station, situated just minutes the trendy Northern Quarter. The neighbourhood rose to prominence after being heavily featured in BBC's 2020 documentary 'Manctopia' - and now is making waves all by itself.
Developers Capital&Centric say they are 'bringing the area back to life' with 'community-focused events and developments' - which have earned it its latest accolade.
READ MORE: The once 'poor' Greater Manchester town that's becoming a place that 'wants for nothing'
The area has been undergoing a rigorous transformation not dissimilar from its neighbouring districts of Ancoats and New Islington. Several new developments, including Crusader, Phoenix Mill, and Ducie Street Warehouse, have put the area on the map through what the Sunday Times have called 'pioneering ambition'.
Capital&Centric are known for their community-focused business model, which prohibits investors from buying flats, favouring those who choose to live and work in their chosen neighbourhoods. They are responsible for a number of other developments around the city, including the recently completed Kampus.
The Sunday Times have praised the company's ambition, saying their dream of 'creating a proper community' is 'paying off': "Piccadilly East is becoming a brand-new neighbourhood of its own, just a five-minute or so walk from the station, with the city centre/Northern Quarter on one side and fashionable Ancoats on the other," the article reads.
Capital&Centric describe the emerging neighbourhood as 'vibrant' and 'buzzing' - transforming what they term a 'previously unloved' area. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in a previous interview, property developer and Capital&Centric co-founder Tim Heatley said a lot of people don't realise that around 99 per cent of new homes are sold only to investors.
“That’s where we do things differently. We want to build a community of people. It is a gamble, but it will pay off now," he explained.
“Up until this point it’s a massive risk because usually, investors will put down 40 per cent as a deposit and if they pull out, developers keep that, whereas we take around five per cent deposit from residents, many of whom might be first time buyers.”
And it doesn't stop there for Piccadilly East, or for Capital&Centric. In March, councillors approved Ferrous, a new apartment block set to boast 107 rental flats, a residents' rooftop garden, two cafe bars, and two 'pocket parks'.
"Ferrous will be part of Piccadilly East, the Manchester neighbourhood named by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live. With the planned arrival of HS2, it’s going to be properly on the Manchester map," a statement on the Capital&Centric website reads.
"We love the community that’s already growing here… we even had our first puppy party so all our four-legged residents could hang out together too! Mix that with the street art battles that Mancunians flocked to and raised money for the GM Mayor’s charities, and it’s feeling like a great place to be."
READ NEXT:
