# Manchester city centre in high demand as property investors steer clear of “deepest, darkest Salford” Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2016-05-19 Category: LIFESTYLE Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/lifestyle Meta Title: Manchester City Centre Regeneration: Population Boom and Meta Description: From a population rise to booming property prices, explore the transformation of Manchester's city centre over the past two decades and its lucrative URL: https://financedigest.com/manchester-city-centre-in-high-demand-as-property-investors-steer-clear-of-deepest-darkest-salfordhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/1-4-1736844748190-compressed.jpg) - Manchester city centre population rises from 76 to 24,000 in two decades (Stockport Council) - In 2015 sold prices in Manchester City Centre increased by 7% (Rightmove) - NOMA and Spinningfields pegged as hottest city centre buy-to-let locations (Surrenden Invest) Regeneration is a word that Mancunians are thoroughly familiar with. This June will mark the 20th anniversary [since a bomb set](https://www.financedigest.com/dollar-set-for-biggest-two-day-fall-since-2009-as-rate-outlook-shifts.html "Dollar set for biggest two-day fall since 2009 as rate outlook shifts") off by the provisional IRA wiped out half a mile of the city centre. Since then, [billions of pounds](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-to-launch-new-billion-pound-home-insulation-programme.html "UK to launch new billion-pound home insulation programme") have been spent on turning Manchester into the epitome of a 21st century city, with outstanding results. The renovation of the city has transformed the housing [market with sold prices in Manchester’s city centre increasing by 7% in 2015 alone according to the latest Rightmove data](https://www.financedigest.com/marine-big-data-market-to-expand-at-cagr-of-21-5-during-forecast-period-tmr-insights.html "Marine Big Data Market to Expand at CAGR of 21.5% During Forecast Period – TMR Insights"). Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of Stockport Council, commented recently on Manchester’s city centre renaissance, “Before \[1996\], Manchester was effectively depopulated by policy and planning – there were 76 [people living](https://www.financedigest.com/high-streets-remain-an-important-factor-for-people-choosing-where-to-live-property-investors-on-alert.html "High streets remain an important factor for people choosing where to live – property investors on alert") in the city centre when I started. That’s 24,000 now, but 150,000 is the target.” One of the largest aspects of the regeneration work was the overhaul of Manchester Victoria station, which reopened in October 2015. The £44 million refurbishment resulted in three new tracks and four new platforms, with large parts of the building almost entirely rebuilt. The work on the station is representative of the approach taken to Manchester overall. Ambitious initiatives have sought to revamp entire areas, with NOMA (North Of Manchester, where Victoria station is located) becoming a particular hotspot. As improvements have taken place, demand for housing has shot up. The success of this northwestern city, dubbed the Northern Powerhouse, has sparked a [recent trend](https://www.financedigest.com/percutaneous-tibial-neuromodulation-devices-market-analysis-recent-trends-and-regional-growth-forecast-by-2027.html "Percutaneous Tibial Neuromodulation Devices Market Analysis, Recent Trends and Regional Growth Forecast by 2027") in investors, especially those from overseas, looking outside Manchester’s centre to the neighbouring area of Salford Quays. Hoping to replicate the achievements of central Manchester’s property market, it seems many developers have focused their attention in and around Salford Quays, looking to capitalise on lower land values and the regeneration plans in place. This area however, some 20 minutes from Manchester city centre, it is yet to experience the same level of [growth with prices of many apartments stagnating and rental incomes remaining flat](https://www.financedigest.com/metro-bank-posts-flat-third-quarter-loan-growth.html "Metro Bank posts flat third-quarter loan growth") due to the oversupply of units. **Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director** of property consultancy **[Surrenden Invest](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tid2VB0Gg-qhM2X1O6aISyrqlAW0Fec4B4u8FwkJThgLdWtrrXwhWbIR3mD1yjdYWtw9Q5Fnn2B_R2cs6RCNpC9xsEjWWlKyssXPUW5Xnvbv4j7cbSVWmbgkWZciXu8Tr2e5JM3p542JUdrGbCnW3Mou_BlddgQ2aWERnju3Rr0F69t8iaC99w==&c=kWkjZnT8sE1sN3dQXpEL1poYWtpZ4ThwyJDYtGMy7wKJW9LXSd58GQ==&ch=GXbMMEE4xUnx67cCPuWLxOCY4BfxyRnXCBNfT5pjyQs8QF_O8oCexw==)**, explains more, “Manchester city centre now affords a number of hotspots where demand for high quality, contemporary homes has increased hugely. Savvy investors are keen to not venture too far out of the city centre boundaries and I would advise them to steer clear of deepest, darkest Salford. In comparison with city centre properties, [developments in Salford will need to complete another cycle of some 7-10 years](https://www.financedigest.com/the-next-upcoming-years-to-see-the-dental-lasers-market-develop-on-an-organic-note.html "The Next Upcoming Years To See The Dental Lasers Market Develop On An Organic Note") before witnessing real growth in both capital gain and yield. NOMA is a great example of the success of a city centre location – the area simply can’t build homes [fast enough](https://www.financedigest.com/why-banks-cant-adopt-digital-identities-fast-enough.html "Why Banks Can’t Adopt Digital Identities Fast Enough") to keep up with demand from those looking to buy and rent in the area. The city’s regeneration [continues to develop](https://www.financedigest.com/southampton-development-continues-to-excite-local-investors.html "SOUTHAMPTON DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO EXCITE LOCAL INVESTORS"). Most recently, plans have been [unveiled to create hundreds of hi-tech creative industry](https://www.financedigest.com/demand-for-electrical-safety-insulating-gloves-is-strong-in-the-power-utility-industry-unveils-fact-mr.html "Demand for Electrical Safety Insulating Gloves Is Strong In The Power Utility Industry Unveils Fact.MR") jobs as part of a £14m regeneration of Manchester’s Space TV and film centre. As jobs continue to be created by the large-scale redevelopment work, the city council is racing to keep up, having just revealed [plans for an ambitions 10 year](https://www.financedigest.com/austria-plans-to-bring-budget-deficit-within-3-of-gdp-next-year.html "Austria plans to bring budget deficit within 3% of GDP next year") homebuilding strategy. Those looking for homes sooner than 2026 would do well to focus on the area around Manchester Victoria station. Just a few streets away, [**Halo**](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tid2VB0Gg-qhM2X1O6aISyrqlAW0Fec4B4u8FwkJThgLdWtrrXwhWetTw2NzcTM8WC7m9NrlSLFirFGnJZhma47Uvd-Iy8e3wwN64jjHDVGcVT3-wUXxaBzvnl3mVVz3l2DGEePV9KwY_YdUuO6VU5x05dkZwts6l6PRSutM5ueFSnNAGm3_7Ww5hi5JmECqLIfDbY-Wa9oiZs2Gh4uUOZQnCDZCoujP9ASsfaDrt6i9EtOuiZhu2A==&c=kWkjZnT8sE1sN3dQXpEL1poYWtpZ4ThwyJDYtGMy7wKJW9LXSd58GQ==&ch=GXbMMEE4xUnx67cCPuWLxOCY4BfxyRnXCBNfT5pjyQs8QF_O8oCexw==), on Simpson Street in the heart of the NOMA district enjoys a prime city centre location. The spacious, light-filled apartments will be ideal for those looking for upscale rental accommodation with excellent transport connections and easy access to the city centre. Completion of the 66 stylish one, two and three bedroom homes is estimated for Q2 2017, with investors enjoying [projected 6.2% NET](https://www.financedigest.com/air-separation-plant-market-projected-to-expand-at-a-cagr-of-5-to-attain-a-net-worth-of-us-7-9-bn-by-the-end-of-2028-fmi.html "Air Separation Plant Market projected to expand at a CAGR of 5% to attain a net worth of US$ 7.9 Bn by the end of 2028: FMI") yields. The other city centre hotspot right now so far as buy-to-let investors are concerned is Wilburn Wharf, home to the luxury, waterside **[Rivergate House](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tid2VB0Gg-qhM2X1O6aISyrqlAW0Fec4B4u8FwkJThgLdWtrrXwhWetTw2NzcTM8RO0EQMuMVBKtEugCvKn12h8ZKfI-KlDQdzF1oEU5MoBlUMzFkfeSLpRoFtTbA3XIvsfO00riIh6Fh5BHhiBKUjrqcrKLxPT8GtCPy44vHQ80RjQHguNeTlWt5h1RpAbWDGcnWfXeIOeAQ_1HJimduCF6D9DcGGtOkTAs4YAMdN9tv-K1IS4rbA==&c=kWkjZnT8sE1sN3dQXpEL1poYWtpZ4ThwyJDYtGMy7wKJW9LXSd58GQ==&ch=GXbMMEE4xUnx67cCPuWLxOCY4BfxyRnXCBNfT5pjyQs8QF_O8oCexw==)** development. Available for investment from £158,00 to £350,000, Rivergate House is just a short walk from the Spinningfields district, a major business and employment hub. Spinningfields is another of Manchester’s success stories. It has been transformed from a region of dull, faceless office blocks into one of the city’s most vibrant and enterprising areas, all in the space of just a few years. Smart new office blocks jostle for attention alongside Michelin starred restaurants, sophisticated bars and beautifully landscaped green spaces. Naturally, the area has attracted some keen interest from those wishing to live in the heart of such urban elegance. **For further details, visit** [**www.surrendeninvest.com**](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tid2VB0Gg-qhM2X1O6aISyrqlAW0Fec4B4u8FwkJThgLdWtrrXwhWbIR3mD1yjdYWtw9Q5Fnn2B_R2cs6RCNpC9xsEjWWlKyssXPUW5Xnvbv4j7cbSVWmbgkWZciXu8Tr2e5JM3p542JUdrGbCnW3Mou_BlddgQ2aWERnju3Rr0F69t8iaC99w==&c=kWkjZnT8sE1sN3dQXpEL1poYWtpZ4ThwyJDYtGMy7wKJW9LXSd58GQ==&ch=GXbMMEE4xUnx67cCPuWLxOCY4BfxyRnXCBNfT5pjyQs8QF_O8oCexw==) **, email** [info@surrendeninvest.com](mailto:info@surrendeninvest.com) **or call 0203 3726 499.** --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---