We’re extremely proud to announce that Queen’s Brewery, our conversion of the former Grade II Listed Hydes Brewery, has been shortlisted for the 2017 North West RICS Awards in the Conservation project category. Already recipient of the International Property Awards ‘Best Residential Development in Manchester’ the RICS awards recognise the best in development projects across the County, judged by a panel of respected professionals in the sector, with regional winners being put through to the National Finals later in the year.

The brewery sits alongside the following projects in the shortlist for the category:

• Queens Brewery, Manchester
• Birkenhead Priory Conservation Repairs, Birkenhead
• Blackburn Town Hall, Blackburn
• Chester City Baths, Chester
• The University of Manchester: Works to Manchester Museum, Manchester
• Oldham Town Hall, Oldham
•  St Cuthberts, Kentmere

Details of the award categories and shortlisting can be found here

The winner will be announced at the ceremony to be held in May at the Titanic Hotel at Stanley Dock, Liverpool.

We’re absolutely delighted to be the recipient of the 2016 International Property Awards for the “Best Residential Development in Manchester” and a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the UK Residential Renovation/Redevelopment category for our development at The Queen’s Brewery, the conversion of the former Hyde’s Brewery premises, a Grade II listed Victorian building constructed in 1861. Now forming 73 stunning apartments, the outstanding quality of the development was recognised by the Judging Panel as being amongst the best in the UK, a real achievement for the team at Forshaw.

Jason Sanderson, Development Manager for Forshaw said “The International Property Awards attracts entries from some of the largest and most prestigious projects and developers across the Country. It’s an absolute honour to have our hard work recognised by these awards. We were clear from the outset that we wanted to create a real landmark development at Queen’s Brewery and to have this supported by experienced and respected judges is both a welcome and appreciated recognition of our standards and approach to our projects.”

The International Property Awards are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. An International Property Award is a world-renowned mark of excellence.

The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participants enter at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines. The highest-scoring winners from each region are automatically entered into the overall International Awards, which ultimately determine the world’s finest property companies.  Sponsored by The Telegraph newspaper, the Development Category Judging Panel is headed by Malcolm Sinclair, the 20th Earl of Caithness, more information can be found here.

Lyndon Forshaw added, “The Awards give a real recognition of the quality of the development at Queen’s Brewery and the efforts of both the internal team and the consultants, contractors and suppliers engaged in delivering the scheme, we’re overjoyed to have been honoured with such a prestigious award.”

We’re delighted to announce the completion of Queen’s Brewery in Manchester, former home of the famous Hyde’s Anvil brewery since 1899 having been originally constructed as a brewery in 1867.

Forshaw acquired the Grade II listed building in late 2012 and developed plans for its conversion to 73 individual apartments which retain the character of the Victorian property. Construction commenced in 2013, following a lengthy planning process to accommodate the special needs of an important heritage asset, and was completed in phases, working around the existing courtyard to the building, with the final phase completing in September 2016. The development has been well received by purchasers and tenants alike with lettings at the property in high demand.

Jason Sanderson, Development Manager for Forshaw, said “It’s been a huge privilege to work on a building such as the brewery, in many respects the former industrial use created many challenges and in many aspects had compromised the heritage of the building over the years. Nonetheless we had a clear objective in delivering a scheme of outstanding quality and in restoring the fabric of the building hope to ensure its role as an important part of the local landscape for many years to come.”

Quality is a keyword Forshaw have instilled in the scheme, from selection of German manufactured kitchens by Nobilia and Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware to constant review of plans to achieve the most efficient use of space, we have worked closely with Architects, Hattrells DS One and Colbre Projects Ltd, the main contractor, throughout the development process. We have delivered a development which not only provides a quality environment for our purchasers and tenants but also contributes to the wider regeneration of the area. This will be further expanded by the forthcoming development of the adjacent Barrel Yard to provide a scheme of 25 apartments and 17 family homes.

Work on the conversion of the former Hydes Brewery is now well underway with the last of the former Mash Tuns removed from the building and the first apartments taking shape in the former offices.

Construction will continue in phases, working around the building from the offices, including the newly constructed dwellings, into the main building at the head of the courtyard, then around to the brewing hall wing.

We’ll continue to update our website as construction continues, so please check back regularly to see the development progress.

Queens Brewery, Manchester – assured returns in a buy-to-let hotspot.

The HSBC has named Manchester as one of its ‘UK buy-to-let hotspots’. A new Forshaw Residential redevelopment of a former brewery is helping investors capitalise on Manchester’s popularity.

Manchester is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities and a thriving hub for young professionals. That makes it a prime buy-to-let investment location – especially when the properties in question offer something unique to a market eager for distinctive, prestige living.

When Hydes left the Queens Brewery for pastures new in 2012, they left an iconic part of the Manchester landscape behind them. Forshaw Residential is converting the Grade II listed building into 60 beautifully appointed 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments just minutes from the thriving heart of the city centre.

As with all Forshaw Residential developments, the building will retain its most striking, idiosyncratic features. “We’re keeping the best of the old – such as the exterior, romantic clock tower and hand-bed hopper – because we know that personality and character create demand,” says Forshaw Land & Property Group founder Lyndon Forshaw. “And that creates a better investment opportunity.”

Investors are assured yields of 6.5% NET for the first year and projected capital growth that creates a rewarding investment whether investors buy or sell. And with a recent National Housing Federation survey predicting a 36% increase in UK rental rates by 2018, buy-to-let is looking a better investment than ever.

Queen’s Brewery launches in 2015. You can find more details and explore investment opportunities here.