Manchester is going through the biggest property investment and construction boom the city has ever known. Billions of pounds are being invested in dozens of major property development projects across the Greater Manchester area. With so much choice available on the Greater Manchester apartment market, our reviewers’ ratings highlight the very best blocks on offer.
Repeatedly hitting the top spots in ‘best places to live in the UK’ guides, Greater Manchester is confidently attracting new investment and residents from all over the world. Whether you’re looking to live in the beating heart of the city or in one of its many up-and-coming suburbs, you’ll have plenty of quality options to choose from.
Chapel Wharf, M3 by Dandara LivingManchester Apartments: Buy or rent?The Greater Manchester apartment market has been particularly strong for the past couple of years. The city experienced the second-highest increase in property prices in England between July 2020 and July 2021, with a rise of 7.7%. The average property price in Manchester in the 12 months to June 2022 was £240,100, with apartments selling for an average of £169,000.
In terms of the rental market, 2021 saw record increases in rental prices following a relatively slow 2020, largely owing to the effects of the pandemic. The average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in Greater Manchester rose by 5.4% in the last quarter of 2021 alone.
Despite these increases, there are good options for attractive rental rates across central Manchester as well as its popular suburbs. The average rental price in Manchester currently stands at £1,674 per calendar month. The pipeline of new housing developments means that rising supply will give buyers greater choice. If you want to buy-to-let, in 2020 Manchester was ranked as the UK’s number one landlord investment prospect.
The 10 Best Manchester Apartment BlocksThe following is the top 10 Manchester apartment developments available to buy and rent, as voted by people who know them best – their residents. We assign each of the overall star ratings based on the combined scores given by residents as part of their verified HomeViews reviews.
Rated on their location, facilities, management, design and value for money, these 10 developments show what Greater Manchester has to offer. These rankings also take into account the number of reviews each development has received. Our top spot developers have managed to get consistently high scores across a greater number of reviews.
If you want to know more about any of our top 10 Manchester apartment blocks, just click on them. This will take you to its dedicated page and allow you to see in detail what residents have to say.
Top of the pile in Manchester’s highest-rated apartment buildings is Vox, a rental-only development close to the city centre. Vox offers a collection of well-designed one, two and three-bed apartments, complete with under-building car parking spaces and bike storage, CCTV security, gym, running track, studio, roof terrace and residents’ lounge. Residents say they love the facilities, access to local amenities and the little touches laid on by the always-helpful staff.
Read reviews and details of Vox, M15
In second place is Chapel Wharf, by Dandara Living in the heart of Manchester. Even so, residents enjoy peace and quiet due to the excellent sound proofing of its apartments, which range in size from studio to 2-bed. Residents benefit from a pet-friendly policy, an onsite gym and car/bike parking. As well as this, the development is just moments away from Manchester’s famous shopping, entertainment and cultural scenes.
Read reviews and details of Chapel Wharf, M3
Number three in our list is The Green Rooms, near Media City. Residents love being close to this vibrant and exciting part of Manchester, and they appreciate the ever-helpful Green Rooms concierge staff who do everything they can to make things comfortable and convenient.
Read reviews and details of The Green Rooms MediaCityUK, M50
At fourth place, The Trilogy is a HomeViews award-winning development. Located in the heart of Castlefield in Manchester, it has access to a variety of transport links. Deansgate is a three-minute tram journey whilst Cornbrook Metrolink Station is a three-minute walk away. In addition, MediaCityUK is a 12-minute commute. The development comprises 232 pet-friendly one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Residents have access to a wide range of facilities, including a fully equipped gym as well as a landscaped communal garden. Likewise, the building provides a 24-hour on-property concierge service.
Read reviews and details of The Trilogy, M15
Taking fifth place in our list is a Spinningfields entry. The Slate Yard is a Build to Rent development that’s only a 6-minute walk away from Salford Central. Residents have access to a wide range of facilities, including a 24-hour on-site team, a residents’ gym, housekeeping services and a residents’ lounge. The development is also pet-friendly.
Read reviews and details of The Slate Yard, M3
In sixth is New Maker Yards, featuring 821 homes. These are a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Middlewood Locks. The development is located only 10-minutes away from Salford Central and 14-minutes from Spinningfields and Manchester city centre. In addition, residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including 24 hour security, Seven Bro7hers bar & restaurant, 92 Degrees Coffee and a Co-op store. There is also a residents’ club room for a connected workspace, big screen, and free coffee, and a new amenity space called ‘The Lock’.
Read reviews and details of New Maker Yards, M5
Taking seventh place in our top 10 of the best apartment developments in Manchester is West Tower. Situated in Deansgate Square, West Tower is a build-to-rent development featuring a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including dry cleaning services and access to a residents lounge. With plenty of new facilities continuing to be added, more residents’ comments are being posted about how much they enjoy the swimming pool, sauna, cinema, rooftop garden and bar. The development is only a three-minute walk away from both Castlefield and Deansgate stations.
Read reviews and details of The Residences Manchester, M15
Eighth in our top 10 apartment buildings in Manchester is Angel Gardens, by Moda Living. The development sits in the heart of Manchester, within the NOMA innovation district. It features a total of 466 interior designed apartments to rent with a mix of sizes, ranging from studios to three beds. In addition, it offers no deposit and is pet-friendly. Likewise, residents benefit from 250MBPS WiFi, Samsung 50″ inch smart TV included in their rent. Plus, onsite amenities such as a rooftop sports pitch, rooftop terrace, residents’ gym, sky lounge, private dining room, media room and atrium. Pay your rent, book community events or chat to your neighbours with the MyModa app. A free health check when you move in, wellbeing workshops and classes with hero, Moda’s health and wellbeing partner.
Read reviews and details of Angel Gardens, M4
Ninth-placed AXIS Apartments feature open-plan layouts and floor-to-ceiling windows. There are 168 luxury apartments on-site. In addition, residents benefit from a 24/7 concierge service. Axis also boasts two penthouses with spectacular 360 degree views across the city.
Read reviews and details of AXIS, M1
Taking the final spot in our top 10 apartment buildings for Manchester is The Filaments, by Grainger. Made up of three houses – Neon, Halogen and Lamp – this rental development is situated close to Salford Central Station, with easy access to central Manchester and Salford Quays.
Read reviews and details of Grainger at The Filaments, M3
Manchester’s highest-rated apartment development is Duet at MediaCityUK. The development is a HomeViews award-winning development by More. ‘Superenting’ and Allsop Letting and Management. It is located on the vibrant waterfront in Salford Quays, which features a wide range of local amenities, including 15 bars and restaurants, shopping outlets, leisure facilities, a cinema, a theatre, and a nursery. The development comprises 270 pet-friendly one, two and three-bedroom apartments to rent. In addition, the building also provides a 24-hour concierge service. Finally, it offers extensive communal spaces, including a fully equipped private gym.
Read reviews and details of Duet MediaCityUK, M50
Taking fifth place is The Astley, a rental development by Mulbury Homes, owned and managed by M&G Real Estate. The development is situated in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the city centre, an area which used to be the heart of a global textile and cotton industry and then later became home to the city’s artists in the 1990s.
Read reviews and details of The Astley, M1
Our Greater Manchester area guide has plenty more information about what it’s like to live in the city. You can also learn more about its thriving suburbs and alternative areas.
HomeViews collects verified resident reviews for new build homes across the UK. The rankings below are calculated based on the overall star ratings for each development. However, the HomeViews Transparency Rating also affects a development’s ranking, as this indicates how recent its reviews are Read more about Greater Manchester
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
written byJan MoysA residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content… Read all
A residential property expert with ov… Read all
