Cranes point to upturn in city's property market

According to this article by Manchester Evening News on October 16th, 2013 Manchester now leads the property market and is soaring ahead of its regional rivals

Research by Deloitte Real Estate shows that 19 major new developments are underway in the city centre – compared to 13 in Birmingham and eight in Leeds.

Eight new residential developments, three new hotel developments, two student housing schemes and one new office development have contributed to Manchester’s growth, according to the Deloitte Crane Survey.

The new residential developments are around Salford, Ancoats and the Northern Quarter and between them add up to 963 new homes, the highest number under development in the central Manchester area since 2009.

The two new student housing schemes will add 1,246 new bedrooms.
Hotel development is already gathering speed – and expected to be one of the fastest growth areas in 2014, say the authors of the Crane Survey.


They report that 633 new hotel bedrooms are under construction. Four further hotel developments could add another 830 beds, with two of the projects likely to start on site imminently.

The office market is also improving, says Deloitte. The company says that 324,500 sq ft of new office space is under construction, half of which is already let to occupiers. Deloitte warns that the supply of new office space will soon run short.

The total under construction is well below the 480,000 sq ft averaged over the last ten years and so far no new developments are planned to complete construction work in 2015 or 2016.

Meanwhile, demand for office space is rising, with total take-up of all grades of city centre office space up 49 per cent in the first half of 2013.

Last year, they recorded just five developments for Manchester across all sectors.
The Deloitte report comes as other economic data points to an upswing in the fortunes of the city’s economy.

Earlier this week, the latest Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking North West PMI index revealed that levels of new business across the north west expanded for the eighth consecutive month in September.

Article Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/research-deloitte-real-estate-shows-6192874

Best Places to Live Around the UK: Manchester

This very interesting article of WhatHouse? on August 21, 2013 simply tours you around Manchester and why it is one of the ideal places to live around UK.

Famed for its vibrant individual culture, Manchester brings together a love of football, an eclectic clubbing scene and a rich arts and culture scene established from the city's industrial heritage. One of the most popular places to live and work outside London, Manchester is a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures.

With several universities, an accepted gay scene, a compact and easily accessible city centre, unbeatable shopping and leafy close by suburbs, the diverse mix of attractions and activities on offer is undeniable.

Making life easier for its inhabitants, public transport is available in abundance. An impressive bus, tram and railway network connects the city centre with the extensive Greater Manchester area. Conveniently accessible to London, Scotland and the network of nearby northern cities, Manchester is ideally placed to touch base beyond the city limits.
Becoming increasingly popular as a location for business investment, the BBC is among the big names attracted by the benefits of Greater Manchester.

Something Manchester can't shake off are its associations with some very wet weather. Living in Manchester may require an investment in a heavy duty umbrella!

Arts and culture

What the city may be lacking in identifiable landmarks, Manchester more than compensates for with the large number of cultural attractions to choose from. The Museum of Science, Imperial War Museum, The Manchester Art Gallery all provide something different. If visiting neighbouring city Salford, The Lowry Theatre overlooking the canal is worth visiting.

Entertainment

Manchester has long been known for its bustling music scene which continues to be a strong influence. From arenas to quirky pubs filled with character in the interesting Northern Quarter, there is always something of interest for all tastes of music. The Northern Quarter is also the place to be for those looking for a more alternative shopping, eating and drinking experience.

For those who like to indulge in some retail therapy, Manchester is hard to beat. Designer department store Selfridges, often voted as the "World's Best Department Store", has a base in the city and in the extensive out of town shopping mall, The Trafford Centre. Traditional high street stores can be found at the Arndale with high-end boutiques surrounding the modern business hub of Spinningfields.

Sport and Manchester come hand in hand. The city's two hugely successful football teams host a wealth of world-class football games. Following the Commonwealth Games in 2002, Manchester received a huge boost in terms of its sporting facilities, world-class for their time.

Also worth a visit are the bars and restaurants of Deansgate. With its flowing overlooking canals the vibrant area is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Escaping city life

Living in Manchester doesn't always have to be about city life. Suburbs in Greater Manchester provide a good balance between city and rural living, well served by local amenities and established schools.

The beautiful and scenic areas of the Peak and Lake Districts can be accessed in under one and two hours respectively. Both offering National Parks, there is unrivalled natural beauty to enjoy by boot, boat or bike.

Looking for a getaway further afield? Manchester's International Airport is the largest outside of London offering access to attractive and exotic locations worldwide.
In spite of the city's increasing popularity, one of the key benefits of Manchester how cost-effective it is for its size and amenities on offer, especially when compared to life in the capital. From housing, to leisure activities and entertainment, Manchester is guaranteed to give you more for your money.

What is your favourite thing about life in Manchester?

Article Source: http://www.whathouse.co.uk/news/best-places-to-live-manchester-160?page=1#.Uhrp0z_tYh8