Grade II listed apartment renovation in Manchester

How do you make a listed apartment warmer, brighter, and more liveable – without disturbing the view?

That was the challenge we faced in this project, right at the heart of Manchester city centre.

The Challenge

On paper, the brief was simple: replace the old metal-framed windows with new bi-fold doors and windows to make the apartment light, cosy, and usable year round.

In practice, the challenges stacked up.

• The apartment was in the city centre, so parking was an issue.
• It was located on the fourth floor with no lift access.
• The Grade II listing meant every change had to pass strict regulations and blend seamlessly with the building’s historic surroundings.
• To complicate things further, the owners lived in the apartment throughout the three-month build. Noise, disruption, and the Manchester weather meant there were moments of doubt – was it worth living like this?

Our Approach

Access was the first hurdle: we parked outside early in the morning, unloaded quickly, then moved the van elsewhere in Manchester city centre before carrying everything upstairs by hand.

From there, it became a project of problem-solving and innovation. We built a temporary external framework to keep the structure watertight while the bespoke bi-fold windows and doors were manufactured.

This framework had to hold for weeks and keep the elements out, even when it inevitably lashed down with rain.

The work required close collaboration with the architect and building inspectors to satisfy both the technical requirements and the rules for listed buildings.

The architect’s drawings looked beautiful on paper, but how do you make them work in reality?

We rerouted the water flow into a grid on the mezzanine patio, adjusted the guttering, and solved many more practical challenges on site.

Nearly every member of the team was involved: bricklayers, joiners, plumbers, and plasterers.

Managing the client relationship was just as critical, ensuring they felt supported through the mess and reassured that the result would be worth it.

The Transformation

Every detail, from bespoke windows to hand-fitted joinery, was carefully designed, so the finished space felt less like a renovation and more like a city-centre sanctuary.

The change was remarkable.

What had once been a cold, draughty room became warm, light, and airy. A tiny extension – barely nine inches – created a balcony and brought a sense of flow, while modern materials meant the space was now properly insulated and habitable.

The apartment retained its historic charm while gaining the comfort and functionality the clients needed. They could finally sit by the window, enjoy the view, and savour the space they had created for themselves.

More Than Building

In this project, our team enjoyed solving problems creatively, respecting constraints, and finding a way forward no matter the obstacles.

For us, it’s never just about building. It’s about creating spaces people love to live in.

By managing the complexity and keeping our clients reassured along the way, we delivered a transformation that went beyond new windows: a home they love and the joy of waking up to a stunning view every morning.

Do you have a listed property that needs new life? We’d love to help you reimagine it.