The new Etc Urban apartments in Guildhall Street opened their doors to reveal the first in the complex of smart city centre homes.

Behind the scaffolding and screens, the team are working hard to bring the 125-year-old former car and carriage works into new use.

Neil Thornton, director of Etc Urban Developments, said: “These are the first genuine loft apartments in Preston and could not be better located to enjoy life in the North West’s best small city.

“There are only 18 homes in the warehouse and we are already getting a lot of interest from buyers. It’s about creating a design and style people want to buy, want to live in.

“This is Preston’s time and there are so many exciting new reasons to live here.”

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Around 150 people attended a launch at the Union Lofts, just yards from the city centre, to see the first stage in the transformation of the former Union Carriage Works – which is expected to be complete by January 2019.

The show apartment boasts a generous open plan living and kitchen area, two bedrooms and bathroom.

There are 18 apartments in the development, with prices starting at £105,000.

Neil, who has lived in Preston for 25 years, is passionate about regenerating the city centre.

He says: “To sustain a healthy city centre, you have got to get more people living there, to live, work and play. People want quality homes.”

The Victorian warehouse dates back to the 1890s, when it was home to James Walmsley & Co manufacturers. It was converted into a yeast warehouse in the 1920s by the United Yeast Company.

Neil says: “The building has been derelict for 15 years, so we are converting from its original use as a warehouse into something usable in the 21st century.

“There are lots of original features – wooden trusses, stonework that is 125 years old.”

Etc Urban’s plans retain as many of the original warehouse features as possible – designing them into each of the apartments with the help of surveyor and project manager Frank Whittle Partnership and Lancashire engineers Booth King.

To register your interest in viewing the first apartment contact Cushman & Wakefield on 0161 235 8965 or email manchester.newhomes@cushwake.com

The Union Lofts by Etc Urban on sale with Cushman & Wakefield now