Following our success at the What House Awards last week (at which we won FOUR awards!) the magazine has run this article about us and the work we’ve done in 2012 as well as a look back at some of the schemes we’ve completed in recent years.

The article – a copy of which is below – celebrates our “innovative approach” to development stating: “the developer has continued to take risks with cutting edge, affordable, residential property during a time when it’s easier to play it safe. Even more daring, they’ve done it without the safe zone of London…. Urban Splash developments in and around Manchester make a bold statement.”

You can also read the article on the What House website.

After scooping two golds, a silver and a bronze at the What House? Awards 2012, Urban Splash are in celebratory mood. For those who have been following the developer it comes as no surprise that their innovative approach has been recognised - the developer has continued to take risks with cutting edge, affordable, residential property during a time when it’s easier to play it safe. Even more daring, they’ve done it without the safe zone of London.

Urban Splash developments in and around Manchester make a bold statement. Longlands in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, won a joint Silver What House? Award for the best apartment scheme. It offers homes nestled between the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the banks of the River Thame, which are just a 13 minute train journey to Manchester city centre.

The development has two buildings that make up Longlands: Pattern House and The Mill. Pattern House is a new build that offers 59 one- and two- bedroom duplex apartment homes. Each of these homes have balconies which fit together and have been compared to the 1980’s video game Tetris. This is enhanced on the outside of the building by colourful panels that outline each apartment.

The Mill has been refurbished into 44 loft apartments, bringing this Grade II Listed cotton mill back to life. The Mill is contemporary but the beams, pillars and brickwork that are the bones of the building are still exposed.

Shared ownership is available at this development and prices start at £50,000 for a 50% share. One-bedroom properties start at £99,000 and two-bedroom properties start at £132,000.

In Manchester city centre the developments are no less bold. Chips in the popular area of New Islington overlooks canals on three sides. Designed by Will Alsop, many of the apartments have folding internal doors allowing you to be flexible with the space and each of them have outside space in the form of the roof terrace or, in some cases, private balconies.

Chips is only a short walk into Manchester city centre with Piccadilly train station about a 10-15 minute walk away. A new tram stop opposite Chips is planned as part of the Metrolink’s expansion.

Properties at Chips can be secured from as little as £89,600 with an 80% share and are available with FirstBuy. There are currently one-bedroom and two-bedroom properties available from £114,000.

With only one property currently available, 3 Towers has been a popular development on the edge of Manchester’s city centre. It’s not really a surprise when you consider the development’s floor to ceiling windows which provide views across the city.

The name comes from the development’s three residential towers which have been named after the Pankhurst family; Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia. Ground floor apartments benefit from private gardens while secure car parking is also available. The towers are just a ten minute walk from Manchester’s Northern Quarter and all the bars, restaurants and shops that the city has to offer.

Redesigned by architects Union North, the towers were already standing and have been reclad. Inside, each apartment is modern and open plan. There are currently no homes to buy outright but there is a one-bedroom apartment available for £55,000, a 50% share, as part of their shared ownership scheme.