Anita Street, Ancoats, Manchester

Anita Street is one of Ancoats' most distinctive residential streets, with two facing rows of red-brick tenements built in 1897. Decorative brickwork, sash windows and low iron railings line the pedestrianised street. 

Occupying the first floor, this two-bedroom apartment combines retained architectural features with a considered use of colour and material. Exposed timber floorboards and high ceilings extend through the principal rooms, with cast-iron fireplaces in both the dining and living spaces. The kitchen and dining room occupies the centre of the plan, with a separate living room, two bedrooms, one with an en suite, and a main bathroom. To the rear, private parking provides space for two cars.

The Space

A shared entrance serves two apartments, with a staircase ascending to the first floor. White-painted brickwork and a dado of brown glazed tiles line the communal stairwell. Inside the apartment, the second bedroom sits off the entrance hall and is currently arranged as a home office, with a warm clay-red feature wall bringing depth to the space. Opposite, an original glazed warehouse door opens into the main bathroom, where white metro tiles surround a bath with overhead shower, joined by a wall-mounted basin, heated towel rail and built-in storage.

The kitchen and dining room occupies the centre of the plan, forming a connected space with doors at either side allowing it to be closed off from the adjoining rooms. In the kitchen, exposed brickwork sits opposite light-grey cabinetry with timber worktops. Upper and lower cupboards provide storage, with a gas hob set against a patterned blue-and-white tile splashback. A separate stainless-steel sink sits towards the window, while glass pendant lights hang overhead.

At the dining end, a cast-iron fireplace sits against an ink-blue wall, with open timber shelving fitted into the adjoining alcove. Above the square-framed doorway to the hallway, a sweeping arch introduces a distinctive architectural detail. The dining area is arranged beneath a glass pendant light.

The separate living room is finished in a deep green, its walls providing a rich backdrop to the exposed timber floorboards and black cast-iron fireplace, which remains in working use. Open timber shelving occupies the adjacent alcove, while a tall sash window brings natural light into the room.

The principal bedroom is finished in a quieter palette of warm neutrals, with exposed timber floorboards and space for freestanding furniture. A sliding pocket door leads to the en suite, where a walk-in shower is lined with white metro tiles, alongside a wall-mounted basin, heated towel rail and built-in storage. Further storage is incorporated into the hallway immediately outside the bedroom.

The Area

Ancoats has grown into one of Manchester's most established neighbourhoods for independent food, drink and culture. Once defined by its mills and waterways, the area now centres around Cutting Room Square, where Rudy's Pizza, The Jane Eyre and Hallé St Peter's sit alongside a growing collection of independent businesses. Michelin-starred Mana and neighbourhood favourite Edinburgh Castle are also close by.

Towards neighbouring New Islington, Pollen Bakery serves fresh pastries beside the marina, with natural-wine bar Flawd, Cask and Finders Keepers offering waterside spots for an afternoon or evening. Green space is equally accessible, with Cotton Field Park, New Islington Marina and the recently refurbished Ancoats Green providing a contrast to the surrounding streets. The nearby Northern Quarter adds independent shops, galleries and live music venues, including Band on the Wall and Night & Day. Co-op Academy New Islington is among the local primary schools.

Shudehill and New Islington Metrolink stops are both within walking distance, along with Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly Train Stations. Direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly reach London Euston in around 2 hours, while the M56, M60 and M62 provide wider road connections. Manchester Airport is accessible by both rail and car.