Inside quirky apartment in iconic Ancoats mill on the market for the first time

A rare opportunity has come up to live in a historic building in one of the 'world's coolest neighbourhoods'. A three-bed duplex flat, which was the original show apartment at Murrays' Mills in the heart of Ancoats, has gone on the market for the first time - and it's a standout property.

First constructed in 1797 by the Murray brothers, the world’s oldest steam-powered cotton mill was restored and reinvented into an in-demand residential apartment complex. All but one wing remains, with some of the original engine houses and the chimney stacks retained.

The development is now made up of Grade II and II* listed buildings, a new-build block and a stunning townhouse, and has previously won the prestigious RIBA award. Apartment 57 has now been listed for sale with Reside estate agents for £825,000.

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The historical gem is the second largest apartment in the development and was the chosen show home when the developers released Murrays' Mills off plan. It is located on the top floor of the Murray Street Block and spans around 1750 square foot.

Upon entry, you are greeted by a spacious hallway flooded with light, featuring four large windows overlooking the central courtyard, with oak hardwood timber flooring, iron columns and masses of exposed brick.

On this floor is a huge open-plan kitchen, living and dining space perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. The well-appointed kitchen was added around 18 months ago and features high-quality fixtures and fittings including an Italian marble countertop and integrated appliances.

A sweeping staircase leads down to the lower level of the duplex where there are three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, one being a Miami-inspired en-suite renovated less than 12 months ago, two storage cupboards, and a home office.

The current owners recently added secondary glazing sympathetic to the building, which featured in The Sunday Times because of the energy saving and noise reduction benefits.

The apartment comes with the added convenience of dedicated parking, ensuring that you have easy access to your vehicle in the vibrant city location.

In both 2018 and 2021, Ancoats was named by Time Out as one of the 'coolest places to live in the world'. The bustling neighbourhood is surrounded by independent enterprises, such as the Michelin-starred restaurant Mana, along with Pollen, Rudy's, and a general store.

Just across the road lies the picturesque Rochdale Canal and the beloved Islington Marina, ideal for leisurely strolls or al fresco lunches during the summer months. Ancoats is also within close proximity to both the Northern Quarter and Piccadilly Train Station, reachable within a 10-15 minute walk.

Lindsey Gordon, the current owner, who bought the apartment off-plan back in 2017, said: "I knew I wanted this apartment the minute I saw it. It was the show home of the Murrays’ Mills development, a large duplex with three bedrooms, lots of beams, light and character.

"It wasn’t for sale when I first saw it but I resisted all other properties until it eventually came on to the market, almost a year later. My husband was pushing me to choose somewhere else all year because he wanted to get on and buy us somewhere to call home in the UK but I held out.

"The apartment is housed in the oldest wing of Murrays’ Mills, steeped in history with loads of original exposed brick and steel columns. It came as no surprise when it won the prestigious RIBA award in 2021. The judges toured this apartment and were full of praise for its size, original features and character."

Lindsey added: "We have also hired the space out to various companies for fashion shoots and the company that supplied the glass for the secondary glazing we added also made an advert for TV featuring the heritage windows. Since moving in, we have made quite a few improvements, adding loads of in-built bespoke storage space, a new kitchen and Miami-inspired bathroom with underfloor heating.

"I know anyone buying this property will appreciate how quiet it is for city living, the history and character of the place and the community it's nestled in.”