The Union Lofts will be throwing open the doors this weekend to showcase the £3.5m restoration of the former carriage works in Guildhall Street.

Etc Urban is welcoming anyone interested in the scheme to see how the historic former carriage and auto car manufactory, which dates back to the 1890s, has been transformed into 18 beautifully designed and spacious loft apartments.

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The Open Weekend is being run through estate agent Michael Bailey who is selling the apartments, now known as The Union Lofts, and will be showing prospective buyers round between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday January 18 and 19.

When the derelict Guildhall Street building was bought in 2017 by Etc Urban, all of its fascinating history had been forgotten. Research has revealed the varied incarnations of the building, which was first known as The Union Carriage Works and purpose-built by James Walmsley & Co. in 1897.

In 1925 the building was taken over by the United Yeast Company and operated as its Preston headquarters until the mid-1960s. A brief spell as a carpet warehouse, then a snooker club was followed by dereliction for nearly two decades.

Now The Union Carriage Works has been brought back to life as a mixed use building with offices on the ground floor, secure basement car parking and 18 duplex loft apartments on the upper floors.

Read more: Inside the first genuine loft apartments in Preston

Etc Urban Developments has redesigned the late Victorian red brick building, in the heart of the Winckley Square Conservation Area just 150m from Fishergate, to retain original industrial features in an urban loft style.

It is one of the first historic buildings in the city centre to be reinvented for the 21st century and forms a leading part of Preston’s City Living Strategy for the next decade, which aims to see similar, high quality residential schemes across the centre.

A show apartment is open to view, unveiling the design and style of the apartments and the full use of original features. Nine of the spacious apartments, which measure up to 1,025 sq ft, come with large west-facing roof terraces overlooking Winckley Square.

Michael Bailey says: “These open days are the first chance people will have to walk around The Union Lofts and see for themselves what makes these new homes unique in Preston.

“The size of the apartments will appeal to owner occupiers as will the large terraces and secure basement car parking.

“In 21st century Britain, space is the most precious commodity for city dwellers and The Union Lofts has been designed to give buyers a lot of it.

“Etc Urban has done a superb job in creating a true mixed use building, which will see smart, modern offices at street level and the best located new apartments in the city centre on the upper floors.

“Property investors, too, will appreciate the quality of The Union Carriage Works and know that it will become one of the most prestigious addresses in Preston city centre.”

To register your interest in attending one of the open days or in buying a new home please contact Michael Bailey on 07828 630 194 or email michael.bailey@kwuk.com

Have you visited the Union Lofts? Let us know what you think in the comments section.