AVRO, Northern Quarter, Manchester

Set within a Grade II*-listed Victorian mill in Manchester's Northern Quarter, this first-floor one-bedroom apartment forms part of an award-winning redevelopment by Urban Splash, offering retained mill features and communal gardens.

Built in 1825 as Brownsfield Mill, the building later became home to A.V. Roe & Co., pioneers of British aviation whose company would go on to build the iconic Lancaster and Vulcan aircraft. Today, AVRO stands as a celebrated example of adaptive reuse, recognised with RIBA awards for its sensitive restoration and architectural clarity.

The Space

The apartment is accessed via both lift and the building's historic winding staircase. Entry is directly into the kitchen, with the full length of the open-plan space visible ahead - through the dining area to the living area beyond, where an exposed brick wall and industrial windows close the view at the far end. Ceilings boarded in timber planks are carried on original beams, with cast iron columns and exposed pipework running through the space - details distinct to the building's Grade II* listing, and a material language that continues throughout the home.

The kitchen is laid with grey floor tiles and arranged around a large central island, finished in black quartz over grey cabinetry, which houses the hob and storage and extends into a breakfast bar. Along the wall, the main run pairs white cabinetry with white quartz worktops and integrated appliances. A utility cupboard sits just off the kitchen, offering further storage.

Beyond the kitchen, the floor changes to engineered oak, marking a clear transition into the dining and living areas. The space is generous, comfortably accommodating a dining table and an area currently set up as a home office. The lounge sits beyond, where south-east-facing industrial windows look over the Rochdale Canal below.

The bedroom and bathroom are arranged off the main space. The bedroom is finished with sisal carpet and continues the mill features, with built-in storage behind sliding doors.

The bathroom is accessible from both the living space and the bedroom. Porcelain marble-effect tiling surrounds the bath with overhead rainfall shower, and the room is completed by recessed shelving, built-in vanity storage and a heated towel rail.

The building itself offers video entry, CCTV, secure bike storage, and well-maintained communal areas including a shared garden.

The Area

AVRO sits beside the Rochdale Canal in the heart of the Northern Quarter - one of Manchester’s most creative districts. Nestled in the heart of the city, this hub is home to an eclectic blend of some of Manchester’s best restaurants, coffee shops, and independent stores. Local favourites include Mackie Mayor, coffee spots such as Federal and Foundation, and design-led retailers including Nordic Muse and Deadstock General Store. Cultural destinations like Egoiste Gallery and Unitom Bookshop add depth, while music venues such as Band on the Wall and Night & Day Café underline the area’s long-standing creative energy.

Just across the canal, Ancoats has emerged as one of the city’s most exciting culinary neighbourhoods. Pollen Bakery draws early-morning queues for its pastries, while Flawd offers natural wines beside the water. Michelin-starred Mana, The Edinburgh Castle, and Rudy’s Pizza are all close by, alongside a growing number of independent bars and eateries.

Families are well served by several primary and secondary schools rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. 

Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria train stations are both within a 10-minute walk, with Piccadilly offering direct trains to London Euston in just over two hours. For drivers, the M56, M60, and M62 are easily accessible, and Manchester International Airport is just 25 minutes by car.