Archive: Oct 2019
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Ascend appointed as Affinity Living’s sole letting partner
Ascend, the Manchester head-quartered residential lettings agency, announced it has been appointed by Affinity Living as the sole letting partner for its Build to Rent (BtR) developments Riverside, Riverview and Embankment West, a total of 878 new homes.
The first phase of homes in Riverside will be ready to move into in the new year. In the meantime, Ascend has created a virtual reality suite at its Manchester Deansgate branch to help future residents choose their home and its décor, as well as learn about the huge range of excellent facilities on offer to them including 350mb free broadband, dry cleaning and laundry services, co-working spaces and regular social events.
Ged McPartlin, managing director, Ascend said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Affinity Living and its fantastic BtR developments. Riverside is just the start of what is going to be a great collection of buildings. I have already got potential residents excited to be choosing their own decor and furniture, they are thrilled they can even bring their pets with them! The great design and the exceptionally high-quality facilities and amenities available to residents will really set Affinity Living Riverside as one of, if not the, best places to live in the city.”
The 17 storey Riverside comprises 190 homes which are a mix of studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments. All apartments offer amazing views, maximized by the floor to ceiling height windows. Located on the bank of the River Irwell next to the Lowry Hotel, Riverside is just a short walk to Spinningfields and Deansgate.
Helen White, managing director, Affinity Living said: “We are thrilled to have Ascend on board for our developments. They have demonstrated an excellent understanding of our Affinity Living brand, which is about far more than providing incredible apartments. We aim to offer our customers as much choice as possible so they can pick an apartment that matches their individual needs, which is why there are 15 different room layouts, the option of furnished or unfurnished, bath or shower. When they move in, they can decorate, tweak and personalise their home to reflect their own style.
“Ascend know what makes our residents tick and their marketing is pitched perfectly. The virtual reality marketing suite Ascend has created means everyone can get a taste of life in Riverside well ahead of building work being complete.”
The other BtR developments Ascend will provide the lettings service for are Riverview located next to Riverside, a 35-storey tower of 332 apartments which will complete in the third quarter of 2021 and the 356 apartments at Embankment West on Chapel Street which is due for completion next year.
The appointment by Affinity Living means Ascend is now one of the leading BtR agents in Manchester having recently achieved major rental lettings successes at Clippers Quay in Salford for Grainger PLC and Anaconda Cut for Atlas Residential.
Ascend has increased its dedicated BtR team in Manchester to 30 people which includes marketeers as well as negotiators.
This news story was featured in Insider Media.
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Ascend achieves lettings success at key Build to Rent developments
Ascend, the Manchester head-quartered residential lettings agency, announced it has helped two of the largest Build to Rent (BTR) developments in the Manchester City Region significantly increase rental returns.
Grainger PLC appointed Ascend as its sole lettings partner for Clippers Quay, Salford Quays, just twelve months ago. Since then both phases one and two have been fully let, with the latter achieving an increase of 25% on rental return for the development.
At 614 homes Clippers Quay is the largest BTR scheme outside London, the development also includes a cinema room, 24-hour gym, co-working office space and a private dining area.
Sam Brown, Lettings Manager (North) PRS and Build to Rent at Grainger PLC, said: “Having worked with Ascend on numerous projects, we approached them to conduct the lettings and promotion of the Clippers Quay development. We were confident in this decision, knowing their track record of promoting and letting PRS developments
“Ascend took to the task instantly, setting up a custom designed marketing suite in its Deansgate branch, specifically for the promotion of Clippers Quay. We are thrilled the team managed to let 50 homes, 33% of phase one, within just three weeks.
“Ascend has used its extensive knowledge of the industry to successfully increase lettings for a number of Grainger PLC developments in recent months. We are delighted with Ascend’s quality of work, vast market knowledge and the support of its dedicated BTR team.”
In March this year national developer, Atlas Residential, appointed Ascend as lettings agent for its Anaconda Cut scheme. Salford’s tallest building, Anaconda Cut consists of one, two and three-bedroom apartments set over 44 storeys. With amenities including a gym with staffed personal trainers, yoga studios and a sky lounge, the building has proved a popular choice for Ascend’s client base with 70% of the building now leased.
Ged McPartlin, managing director, Ascend said: “We’ve had an incredible twelve months dealing with leasing homes across some of the most outstanding new residential developments we’ve ever seen in Manchester and Salford. The popularity of Clippers Quay and Anaconda Cut show the demand for high quality homes is very strong and are attracting residents who are new to the city centre and living here for the first time.”
Ascend has increased its dedicated BTR team in Manchester to 30 people which includes marketeers as well as negotiators. The agency expects to see further rapid growth having recently signed partnership agreements with Select Property Group and its Affinity Living portfolio.
This news story was featured in Property Investor.