Premium prices for property in university towns

According to research by Halifax property prices in university towns rose up to four times more compared with house prices across the rest of the country. The report which was published in August 2007 compared university towns throughout the UK against towns without universities and showed on average that prices had risen by up to 20%.

Leading urban developer City Loft Developments has a range of investor options available in Manchester and Sheffield, two cities famed for their universities and student population.

Simon Hepden, Northern Development Director for City Loft Developments comments: “University towns are popular choices for home owners because they offer a wide range of local facilities and investors are attracted to the steady increase in university populations. Both Manchester and Sheffield have thriving universities which are situated close to our developments.”

Sheffield has two universities with approximately 55,000 students while Manchester services over 100,000, as a result both cities offer excellent medium to long term investment potential.

City Lofts St Pauls comprises 316 one and two-bedroom apartments set in two interlinking buildings of 11 and 32 storeys in height. Designed by Conran & Partners, City Lofts St Pauls will become Sheffield’s tallest building acting as an iconic marker for the rejuvenated city centre.

Located to the south of Sheffield Town Hall, in St Pauls’ Square, the development has been designed to create a striking, modern building, which complements the historical buildings that surround it. The light and slender towers create architectural forms that are both original and elegant, whilst high quality traditional and modern materials have been used to ensure the building’s lasting contribution to the skyline.

The specification throughout City Lofts St Pauls is of the highest standard with apartments benefiting from bespoke Conran designed kitchens and bathroom furniture, stone worktops, travertine natural stone tiling, under floor heating and a combination of timber and carpeted flooring. All apartments feature full-height glazing offering excellent natural light and a sense of space, which is further enhanced by the lobbyless arrangements.

For added security each apartment has a video entry phone and a solid core walnut veneer door with a five-lever lock and ironmongery. The development also benefits from a glass fronted lift and concierge service.

City Lofts Milliners Wharf is a landmark development, situated on the banks of the Ashton Canal, in East Manchester, which when built will provide 261 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The scheme, which has been transformed to create a development set within a nine-storey building will make a considerable contribution to Ancoat’s renaissance.

The specification throughout is of an extremely high standard, featuring bespoke designed kitchens and bathroom furniture, stone worktops, Villeroy & Boch toilet and basin, Paini taps, travertine tiling, walnut faced timber and carpeted flooring.

The development also has concierge service. For added security each apartment has a video entry phone and a solid walnut veneer entrance door with a five-lever lock and ironmongery. Situated on Pollard Street on the edge of Manchester city centre, City Lofts Milliners Wharf is just 10 minutes walk from Piccadilly train station.

Prices start at City Lofts Milliners Wharf from £137,000 for a studio ranging to £251,500 for a three-bedroom apartment. For more information visit the Sales and Marketing Suite adjacent to the development or call the selling agents Knight Frank. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment at City Lofts St Pauls start from £143,000.

Further details are also available at Citylofts.co.uk.