About Us

Manchester Life was established in 2014 in partnership with Manchester City Council to restart the regeneration of Ancoats and New Islington and deliver new homes for sale and rent.

At the time, Manchester lacked purpose-built private rental homes, a priority identified by the City Council to improve standards and support the city’s growth.

We have since played a central role in transforming the area, delivering high-quality homes, creating lively streets, and contributing to the establishment of one of Manchester’s most vibrant communities.

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So far we have:

  • Completed 1,500 homes across nine developments.
  • Converted two historic mills.
  • Delivered Manchester’s first purpose-built private rental communities.
  • Created 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space for independent businesses.

By attracting thousands of new residents and local businesses, we’ve rebuilt investor confidence and enabled sustainable growth in one of Manchester’s most historic neighbourhoods.

Today, Ancoats and New Islington are recognised nationally and internationally as standout examples of urban regeneration.

Cottonfield Wharf, our first development, was completed in 2017, marking the start of nine schemes across Phases One and Two. Lampwick Quay, completed in 2021, was the final project in these phases, delivering five private rental schemes and four for sale schemes.

We are currently developing in the Poland Street area of Ancoats, where our Phase 3 projects — delivered with Manchester City Council and partners — will add 572 homes, bringing our total to more than 2,000.
These developments form part of the City Council’s 2020 Neighbourhood Development Framework, which also includes:

  • The Ancoats Mobility Hub.
  • The new Ancoats Green.
  • Affordable housing delivered by Great Places and Manchester City Council.

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How We Work

As an investor, developer, landlord, agent, and manager in one, we align every decision with the long-term interests of residents, the neighbourhood, and the city.

Our strategy is based on:

  • Targeted investment at scale and pace to repopulate the neighbourhood and build confidence.
  • Coordinated delivery of homes, commercial space, and public realm in partnership with others.
  • Placemaking and neighbourhood improvements that support residents, local businesses, and community life.
  • Protecting character by transforming derelict mills into high-quality homes.

We made decisions to ensure a stable, sustainable, and thriving community, including:

  • Limiting historic mill sales to owner-occupiers.
  • Offering three-year tenancies with capped rent increases.
  • Prioritising commercial spaces for home-grown businesses at competitive rents.
  • A Manchester Life placemaker who works directly with our residents and businesses.
  • Supporting 76 construction management apprentices to start their careers through our Higher Apprenticeship scheme.

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Corporate Information

The first nine schemes under Phases One and Two of Manchester Life were delivered by Manchester Life Development Company Ltd and Manchester Life Development Company 2 Ltd under a collaboration agreement between Acre Real Estate Investment and Development LLC and Manchester City Council.

Acre provided all funding and took on all development risks, including planning, design, construction, funding, program management, and demand.

Manchester City Council contributed land on commercial terms, and in return has received:

  • Above-market financial returns, including £3 million in overage payments to date.
  • Value from land leases during a period of low market confidence after the 2008 financial crisis, which had halted previous regeneration efforts.
  • Wider social and economic benefits from the regeneration.

Manchester Life Development Company 3 Limited, which is wholly owned by Acre, is now delivering Phase Three of Manchester Life in the Poland Street area of Ancoats, including Eliza Yard and Jersey Wharf, which are under construction, and Phoenix Ironworks, which is consented and preparing for construction.

Manchester Life Management Limited is the rental and management division of Manchester Life, responsible for leasing, managing, maintaining, and providing customer service for homes across its rental developments: Cottonfield Wharf, Sawmill Court, Smith’s Yard, and Weavers Quay.

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Since opening our first building in 2017, our team has expanded to over sixty employees.

Each rental building is owned by a Jersey-registered company, wholly owned by Loom Holdings Ltd., itself a subsidiary of Acre.

Each rental building is also a shareholder in Manchester Life Management Limited.

Manchester Life Management Limited also manages Lampwick Quay on behalf of PGIM, a global asset manager, which acquired the development in 2021.

Tax Notes

All Manchester Life sales and rental income is subject to UK Corporation Tax and reported in full.

Tax Strategy