Urban Splash has sold the Smithfield Buildings in Manchester’s Northern Quarter to institutional fund Aegon for an undisclosed sum.
Smithfield Buildings was bought by regeneration specialist Urban Splash in 1995 and was repositioned to include 81 loft apartments and 21 ground-floor retail units. Tenants include Bikram Yoga, North Tea Power, Forbidden Planet, Oxfam Originals, Carharrt, and Piccadilly Records.
Tom Bloxham, chairman and co-founder of Urban Splash said: “When we first bought the building it was a ruin, it was not in the best condition and I am proud of how we have since successfully redeveloped it, sold off all of the residential units, fully let the commercial units to a range of occupiers and helped it become the flagship building in what is now Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
“The Smithfield Buildinga and Urban Splash were instrumental in establishing, and indeed naming, the Northern Quarter. It’s great to see what was once terrible part of Manchester attract great retailers and become a great destination.”
WHR and Lewis and Partners acted for Urban Splash as selling agents. Kames acted for Aegon.
