Manchester city pod equals affordable housing
Apr - 11 | 
14 comments. | 
New Developments, UK Property
If you are a first time buyer looking to get on the property ladder but the prospect of Kingston upon hull in East Yorkshire with some of the UK’s cheapest housing on offer at an average price of ₤79,500 doesn’t float your boat, there is an alternative. With the UK government facing a shortfall in new homes year on year and an increasing trend of single owner occupiers, the demand for affordable housing continues unabated.
In response to market needs Manchester-based developer Abito have successfully rolled out their city pod concept offering first time city buyers affordable, modern apartments in prime city locations. With the first Manchester city centre project due to complete in July 2006, in just 3 months over 150 of its 347 square foot “intelligent-living” units sold when it launched in November 2004 with a starting price of under ₤90,000. 
There are 256 one bedroom flats over 7 floors, each equipped with fold-away bed and a central pod containing a bathroom with shower, a utility space for washer/dryer and a kitchen to enable a ‘clutter-free lifestyle’. Featuring private balconies, 10-foot ceilings, and one floor-to-ceiling window “to allow maximum use of light.” It has also recently launched 292 waterfront apartments in Salford Quays and 2 sites have been identified in Liverpool and Nottingham. 
This compact living concept has also been successful in Leeds where the Citispace Group are using off-site modular housing construction to create 285 cost-effective, functionable apartments. Within walking distance to the city centre and with prices around ₤98,950 for a 336 sq foot 1 bedroom apartment, the first rung of the ladder doesn’t seem quite so far away.
A great looking development – similar to the Moho scheme in Manchester. Shame they don’t have two bedroom apartments – Manchester is crying out for more!
Im lucky enough to have purchased one of these babies. me and me girlfreind are due to be moving in in the new year. They are small yes, but what else can you get at this price. Lots of good features, smart balcony and super fiitings with video entrance intercom, remote control lighting and heating, siemans technology appliences with a stunning view of the city centre looking toward the printworks , harvey nicholls and selfridges.
If any one else have got one of these beauties then get intouch.
I bought an abito off plan last year – 5th floor. It looks like the area is going to be booming in a few years. Its good to be in at the start. Ideal for town!
hey phil, yeah i did too, on the second floor 20? hope the people who be livin their mix a bit and aint up themselves. be cool to just mix a bit with the residents. im traveling to manchester from liverpool everyday to work and seriously it takes over an hour each way at the minimum, now its just a 7 minute drive (im sad, ive already timed the run). have you seen it of late, its shocking how fast they are going up. im going to the open day on sep 17th are you goin?
Missedthat one as was away working. The project is now scheduled to be complted in Feb 2007. Had thought of selling up to profit – but having seen the plans for the future scene of the whole area – I think I will keep hold! Have you looked on skyscrapercity.com? Look under the Manchester and Salford section – then Greengate, etc, and I think Abito has a separate thread of its own.
yeah ive looked it takes so long to load, just for your information if you got sky , channelm (manchesters own tv station) have done a full half hour docu on the apartment on Homesearch and is being repeated till 15th October. channel 203 on sky. App the bbc have been in to film it. With regards to selling up, i seen the apartment in city life on the 2nd floor being sold for £110k so its already made a profit of £17k but i think you would be better off as you say to hold back for acouple of years or so when the area has been more developed.
Excellent. Thanks for the info. It is good to see it getting some exposure. The masterplan for the whole Exchange/Greengate area is looking promising. Have yu been inside the built up model yet? And if so, is it impressive? Although my initial concerns were over space and storage, as city dwellers, it may not be such an issue if most of their time is spent in town eating and working anyway.
Hi, interesting blog… ive purchased an Abito at Salford Quays. i’m from Devon but am so impressed witht eh way Manchester is looking wanted a piece of the action too. Salford quays abito is apperently not ready until July 08 (no doubt even later) has anybody else purchased here? b e great tp natter. cheers
Also purchased an Abito, now delayed till November 08 so interesting to see what the valuations will be.
yay, someone else replied – 1 comment a year just aint enough on this blog! I was in Mancs a few weeks ago and think its looking awesome, cant see how it will be ready for this year tho, does anyone have any info on actual completion dates? i just been told autumn 08 but that was like 5 months ago. and yea, interested in the valuations also. i wonder if ASK will take a knock down and honour the valuation price? What floor you on Eric?
Hi folks, canm anmyone confirm when the Abito apartments in Salford Quays actually completed and what the valuation was upon completion?
Also, if anybody lives here in one of the apartments, what they are like to live in? and transport links etc as i will need to travel to Oldham everyday if i move to the area
Thanks Chris (Birmingham)