July 25, 2025
UK Property Market / Manchester
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St Johns, a corner to the West of Manchester City Centre, is facing visions to create a new place to live, work, play, for enterprise and innovation, and of course – a place to invest.
Over £1 Billion is being invested into what used to be Granada Studios, the oldest television studios in the United Kingdom. In 2013, ITV Granada and the BBC relocated to Salford Quays – leaving the iconic destination empty and waiting for a new lease of life.
Soon, the building and its surroundings will be home to a bold new neighbourhood: new homes, accommodation, commercial spaces, the coveted Soho House, and its sister hotel brand Mollie’s Motel. Opening later this year, the private members club will expand across five floors of the former Granada Studios site.
The driving force behind the growth of St John’s is Allied London, who we have to thank for bringing Spinningfields to life two decades ago. Now referred to as ‘the Canary Wharf of the North’ by The Financial Times, the area is one of the most luxurious and in-demand areas in the city.
St John’s is next on the list; in the coming months, Allied London plans to refurbish the Campfield Market Halls, formerly used as the aerospace for The Science & History Museum, into offices & studios with public spaces.
Over the last decade, St John’s has seen a number of new developments, and has become one of the city’s favourite places to live and work. Centred around a small, boutique park, and spread both sides of the River Irwell, the area is one of the most impactful places to invest right now.
With the introduction of new towers, restaurants, commercial spaces, and an exclusive member’s club – demand here willskyrocket, and prices always follow that.
This won’t be the first time that a new members club will increase property prices. Why? Increased affluent footfall. In August 2024, research found that properties within a 15 minute drive of Soho Farmhouse saw more than double the average demand for the area, with 2.3 buyers registering interest for every one buyer in adjacent areas.
These homes also sell 2.5 weeks quicker than others, on average, and have more than double the amount of international buyers.
“Proximity to a club or amenities definitely has the potential to enhance the value of properties”
says Jonathan Miller, president and chief executive of Miller Samuel Inc, real estate appraisers and consultants in New York State; he estimates a 10 percent uplift in property prices.
Soho House will be the first of the internationally renowned clubhouses to open in Manchester – followed by W Residences, opening in 2027, and Nobu, expected to open in 2031.
To put it simply, this is an incredible opportunity to maximise on billions of pounds invested by other parties. City centre apartments are already rapidly increasing in value – driven by Manchester’s growing popularity and demand – and this is bound to give St John’s a further boost.
