Award-Winning Royal Mills Shows Real Star Quality
Talented British television and film actor Daniel Brocklebank knows star quality when he sees, it having worked alongside Hollywood beauties Kirsten Dunst, Gwenyth Paltrow and Kiera Knightly during his glittering career.
That’s why he had no doubts about buying a stunning penthouse at ING Real Estate Development’s fantastic Royal Mills complex in Manchester’s regenerated Ancoats district.
And nine months after he moved into the £85m award-winning restoration scheme of four of Manchester’s most historic spinning mills, he loves every minute of his city life.
Daniel, 27, who played popular village character Ivan Jones in top ITV soap Emmerdale, was the first buyer to move into Royal Mills, and he’s delighted with his two-bedroom, split-level penthouse.
He said: "It is just fantastic, the development is beautiful and the attention to detail stunning.
"The penthouse I chose has a huge 36ft by 15ft balcony, with glorious views over the Pennines and that was a major selling point for me.
"It is a fantastic area for socialising. I’ve installed a hot tub and it’s great to get friends up there for a barbecue. We have some great times out there.
"The high specification of the apartment was another great selling point for me. I was looking to get as much value as possible and I really feel that I’ve got something special.
"There’s a real sense of community at Royal Mills and I’ve got some great neighbours, who have become good friends.
"There’s a wonderful atmosphere and we’re always dropping into each other’s apartments. It is a really nice place to live.
"Then there is the city itself. I did some work at the Royal Exchange theatre, so I already knew what a growing and vibrant place Manchester is. It is also a very young city.
"Ancoats is changing dramatically. You can see all the money that is being pumped into regenerating the area and the next five years are going to be amazing.
"What I also like about Royal Mills is that I don’t need to drive. I’ve got a parking space, but I rarely have to get behind the wheel. The city centre is easy to get to and I’m five minutes walk from Piccadilly station."
As well as Emmerdale, Daniel has also made appearances on Born and Bred, Down to Earth, Doctors, The Bill and Casualty.
His impressive film credits include The Hours with Meryl Streep, The Hole with Keira Knightley, Devil's Arithmetic with Kirsten Dunst, Shakespeare in Love with Gwenyth Paltrow and Merlin with Miranda Richardson.
Daniel is also a veteran of the stage. He spent a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
ING Real Estate Development also has a similarly impressive CV. It is the driving force behind some of Europe’s most successful developments and was the first leading private sector operator to invest in Ancoats’ heritage, with this landmark conversion scheme.
The redevelopment is a key part of the Ancoats Urban Village project, backed by the North West Regional Development Agency, New East Manchester, Manchester City Council and the European Union.
The famous red brick frontage of the buildings overlooking the Rochdale Canal has been restored to its original splendour and the ornate engraved stonework – including the trademark arch above the original entrance to the mill complex – has been carefully preserved and revived.
Many apartments incorporate original features from the restored buildings – keeping a link between the future and the site’s rich industrial heritage. Homes in the old mill complex are entered through a reception area boasting a monumental flywheel and original, sweeping staircase set against exposed brick walls.
More than 75 per cent of the apartments have already been snapped up by eager buyers like Daniel.
While the rejuvenated mills bring a taste of history to life, the scheme also boasts new-build apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the rooms with natural light.
Open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas create a spacious feel, with many enjoying spectacular views of the cityscape.
Balconies, like the one enjoyed by Daniel, and rooftop patios also bring the outside in, creating the perfect space to relax and unwind.
Siep Hoeksma, UK Country Manager of ING Real Estate Development, said: "We have carefully transformed these historic mills to create a vibrant 21st century canalside community.
"It has been extremely rewarding to see the rebirth of the mills and the Ancoats area. The development is a testament to the many highly skilled and dedicated staff working on the scheme."
Issued on behalf of ING Real Estate Development UK.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Baguley or Alistair Clarke
GDR Public Relations
Tel: 01253 600 800 or 07715 373166