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Grab the quays to a new pad
Jill Burdett, Manchester Evening News
14/01/2009
There’s a deal to be done down on the Salford waterfront t one of the most distinctive new developments around. The sail topped roof of Abito at Clippers Quay, just behind the Copthorne Hotel, dominates the skyline on the opposite bank to Old Trafford and it’s nearing completion with the first residents now moving in.
These innovative pods have been tweaked and improved since the first Abito at Greengate in Salford but the tougher market means buyers can pick one up for the same price as Salford launched at four years ago – the specification is better.
The lower floors are on the website from £109,000 but according to Ask Life sales director Duncan Bowman, you could get one for £85,000.
And Ask are also working hard to get first time buyers in here with a rent to buy option where the rent acts as a deposit if you decide to buy at the end of a 12 month tenancy, and hopefully soon a Home Buy option.
They are among several developers bidding for £30m of Government money to encourage buyers into the market by letting them own a whole property for a 70 per cent stake, no rent to pay on the remainder and the option to buy more over the years.
It gives buyers a 30 per cent cushion should the market fall completely – but also allows them to take advantage of any reduction in values.
It would bring an Abito in at under £60,000 – and crucially the Council of Mortgage Lenders seems to agree that the 30% from the government can act as a deposit.
Bowman said: “We have 42 units here that we want to offer to buyers under the Home Buy scheme and we would hope to make them available very soon.”
Walking into Abito is like walking into no other development and you will either love the soaring space and the harsh concrete or loathe it. Personally I think it funkily futuristic and would make a great place for residents’ parties, and because the sail roof (the same material was used for the Millennium Dome) is not sealed, you have an idea of what the weather is doing outside.
The apartments ring this central core and the standard one are honed to minimal efficiency but the top two floors at Clippers offer something different – along with one of the most stunning view of any development out across the Quays to the cranes of Media City, the Imperial War Museum and Old Trafford.
Here Ask have delivered more traditional two bedroom apartments. Again with the same clean lines, wood floor, glossy kitchens and great bathrooms but they also have 800 sq ft terraces, the perfect place for a pre-match toast for any Reds fan.
There are just sixe of these apartments, ranging from £180,000 to £200,000 available, and views vary depending on what side of the building they are on. More intriguingly they will also be available under the Home Buy scheme to people who qualify which could bring them down to £130,000.
Bowman said: “It is a difficult market but we know Abito offers something very different in a great location and people can see for themselves how close it is to Media City!”
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