Fallowfield’s iconic 1960s Toast Rack building has been put up for sale by its owners ahead of a major redevelopment of the area.
The historic breakfast-themed building was sold to owner Overseas investor Estrela by Manchester Metropolitan University for a cool £5m back in 2014, now nearly a decade later it is being listed again.
A familiar sight amongst Manchester students young and old, the Grade II-listed landmark is now tipped for a big redevelopment – as the 3.71-acre site reappears on the market with detailed planning consent for over 200 homes.
Listed in a package that includes the entire Hollings Campus site – which is an area spanning four football pitches – also included in the sale are neighbouring buildings the Horseshoe, Gateway site, and Stitching Hall.
The package is being marketed by Cushman & Wakefield, with plans to include 20,910 sq ft of gym and leisure space, 7,582 sq ft of commercial space, and 154 car parking spaces, plus over 200 new flats, a gym, coffee shop, and a roof top garden.
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Image: Wikipedia
The redevelopment will mean the end of an era for one of the city’s most famous buildings, first created by Manchester City Council’s then Chief Architect Leonard Cecil Howitt to reflect its purpose as a catering college.
Originally known as the Hollings Building, its triangular shape, curling concrete arches and a circular block alongside soon led to the site being known colloquially as the Toast Rack.
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Opening to initial bemusement, the breakfast-themed building eventually became a beloved part of the Fallowfield region – especially in the student community after it was purchased by Manchester Metropolitan University.
In April 1998, The Toast Rack was even granted Grade II listed status by English Heritage – who described it as ‘a distinctive and memorable building which demonstrates this architect’s love of structural gymnastics in a dramatic way’.
Manchester Metropolitan University continued using the building until 2013, then decided to shift its student campuses further north and sold up the following year.
Four years later, The Gym Group moved in – turning the ‘Dru’m into a state-of-the-art leisure facility as part of a 15-year agreement.
In 2021, Generation Ltd was committed to delivering 210 apartments in the area alongside 20,000 sq ft of commercial space. Now it appears that that opportunity will instead be passed on to a new buyer.
Bruce Poizer, head of capital markets at Cushman & Wakefield in Manchester, told the Manchester Evening News: “The Toast Rack is one of the most striking and recognisable buildings in Manchester and we are delighted bring it to market.
“This is an incredibly rare opportunity to invest in a vibrant area that is ripe for development. Fallowfield is synonymous with student living, it is also a popular suburb for young professionals and families due to its proximity to Manchester city centre, cultural amenities and sport and leisure.
“We anticipate strong interest in this unique site and expect it to appeal to both build-to-rent and student accommodation investors and developers.”
UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for new series
Emily Sergeant
Are you looking to move but finding the house hunting process a lot harder than you thought it would be?
Well, this could be the helping hand you need.
The UK’s biggest property show, Location, Location, Location – which has been a fixture in Channel 4’s schedule for more than 20 years at this point – is looking for house hunters from across Manchester for the new series.
First airing all the way back in 2000, if you’ve never seen Location, Location, Location, it’s fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer who head all across the UK to help buyers in search for their dream home.
Despite being on our TV screens for 26 years at this point, Kirstie and Phil have never tired in their efforts to match the nation’s hopeful house hunters with their perfect home.
For its next series being filmed this May, Channel 4 are now looking for individuals, families, and couples from Greater Manchester who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to find their next home.
The UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for its new series / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, first timer buyers, or looking for a forever home, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.
“We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year,” a spokesperson for Channel 4 said as the casting call was announced.
“Applications are now open and we’re looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home.”
Anyone interested in appearing on Location, Location, Location can apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Applications will be received by a member of IWC Media and they will contact you directly if they wish to take your it any further.
Featured Image – Channel 4 (Supplied)
Property
Inside the regal Cheshire home for sale on one of Britain’s most expensive roads
Emily Sergeant
A stunning detached family home on one of Britain’s most expensive roads is currently on the market over in Cheshire.
In case you hadn’t heard, a recent report by The Times has revealed where you’ll find Britain’s top 20 most expensive roads for 2026, based off Rightmove data, and Congleton Road in Alderley Edge – slap bang in the middle of Cheshire’s iconic ‘Golden Triangle’ – has appeared in the top five most expensive outside of London.
So we snooped around to see what your money (… or your hypothetical money, at least) can get you on this street, and came across a regal residence currently for sale for a whopping £4.95 million.
This is Highclere – a six-bedroom detached family home occupying a private plot of over 1.3 acres and enjoying panoramic views across the adjoining Cheshire countryside.
This is Highclere – a stunning family home on one of Britain’s most expensive roads / Credit: Andrew J Nowell
Approached behind electric gates, and set back along a sweeping driveway, estate agents say Highclere has been ‘carefully and tastefully’ renovated by the current owners.
It now offers ‘spacious and versatile’ accommodation, and benefits from being within easy reach of Alderley Edge village centre and all the amenities it’s known and loved for.
Some of the stand-out features include an impressive reception hall with large sweeping staircase, open living kitchen with a large central island, large bedrooms, and a full leisure suite with a pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and showers.
There’s also a dedicated bar area, a games room, cinema room, and a gym.
Upstairs is where you’ll find what is described as the ‘unparallelled’ principal bedroom suite with two large dressing rooms, its own living area, en-suite bathroom, and a powder room, as well as four other large bedrooms.
Just as you’d expect, the outside of Highclere is as impressive as the inside.
The property is set within a private plot of over 1.3 acres enjoying panoramic views / Credit: Andrew J Nowell
Not only are there expansive terraced lawns with mature trees and shrubs and two large courtyards perfect for outdoor entertaining, but there is also a large driveway providing off-road parking for multiple vehicles and a detached double garage converted into annexe accomodation.
This property is currently on the market with Alderley Edge-based independent estate agents, Andrew J Nowell, for a Guide Price of £4.95 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy at the Rightmove link here.
Georgina Pellant -
20th June 2023 
