Which corner of Manchester is growing the fastest?

Manchester is the fastest-growing city in the UK. What was once a bit of a hidden gem is now topping all the growth charts – it’s most investors’ go-to city these days. But in a place with so many quirky corners and industrial quarters, it’s a bit more complex than just ‘invest in Manchester’.

What investors look for

Property investment is a long-term game, so most investors look for stock with strong uplift potential. That’s why Manchester became so popular in the first place – much cheaper purchase prices than the capital, with the expectation that values would rise significantly over time. And they have, and still are.

Regeneration areas are a key thing to look out for. Finding quality properties in locations the government is actively investing in is a goldmine – you directly benefit from every improvement made to the area.

Take Ancoats, for example. It’s been completely transformed over the last 30 years. Once known as the industrial heart of Manchester, it’s now a thriving, trendy neighbourhood filled with independent businesses and creative spaces. A Neighbourhood Development Framework launched in 2020 continues to enhance the area, and by 2025 it recorded the highest property price growth in the city at 40%.

Where is there space to grow?

While much of the city has already experienced its regeneration and growth, there are still a few pockets waiting for their time to shine.

One of the most promising is Holt Town, tucked just to the east of the city centre – one of the last remaining areas set for large-scale regeneration. It already has strong foundations, including excellent transport links and nearby attractions like the Etihad Stadium, but is also set to benefit from a major 74-acre regeneration plan across brownfield land.

The scheme includes 4,500 new homes and focuses heavily on green living. Plans feature 15 acres of green space, a new riverside park, and it’ll even integrate with the ‘CyanLines’ – 100 miles of new walking and cycling routes designed to better connect Manchester’s neighbourhoods.

Holt Town, and the wider M40 postcode, also saw more new businesses registered than anywhere else in Manchester in 2025. Over 3,000 start-ups launched there last year, driven by hubs like Pollard Yard. This creative cluster of repurposed shipping containers, set alongside the Ashton Canal and facing Brunswick Mill, has become a hotspot for independent businesses, attracting a diverse and growing visitor base.

On the edge of Holt Town and Ancoats, the government is also developing a new digital campus, relocating around 7,000 civil service roles from London to Manchester. The project will deliver thousands of construction jobs and create a major employment hub on the city’s fringe. While completion isn’t expected until 2030, it will inevitably drive demand from professionals seeking high-quality homes in Holt Town.

Where is Holt Town?

Holt Town is an area rich in heritage, shaped by mills and canals that helped earn Manchester its ‘Cottonopolis’ nickname. It sits between the city centre and the Etihad Stadium, and extends on to Ancoats and New Islington.

On one side, you have one of Manchester’s coolest neighbourhoods; on the other, one of its major sporting and entertainment destinations, alongside the Co-op Live arena.

It’s no surprise the area is now being prioritised for regeneration. Manchester is in urgent need of new homes, and demand for greener, more open living spaces continues to grow.

The first residential phase of the Holt Town masterplan is Brunswick Mill – a 19th-century mill packed with history, now being converted into high-spec homes. As mentioned earlier, well-located, high-quality properties in growth areas like this are exactly what investors should look for. With tenant demand already strong and significant regeneration still to come, the potential for long-term capital growth is clear.