Stockport’s historic Underbanks has had quite the attention over the past few years, and rightly so, as it’s become a stomping ground for independent businesses and sought after restaurants and bars. The words ‘up and coming’ being bandied around a lot while those in the know are tipping everyone to buy houses in Stockport.
Now, property developer Hall & Co has begun work on a new 82-home project that incorporates four sites across the Underbanks area, seeing the mixed-use buildings comprise a total of 82 apartments, as well as 10,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace.
The plans propose sites on the historic Little Underbank, as well as Lower Hillgate and Churchgate:
- Churchgate will receive a 30,900 sq ft mixed-use building comprising 44 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, along with 2,900 sq ft of ground floor commercial space.
- 29-35 Little Underbank will receive a 9,500 sq ft building featuring eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments, as well as 1,500 sq ft of commercial space, replacing the existing structure.
- 1-3 Lower Hillgate will transform into a 4,500 sq ft building holding three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments, in addition to 730 sq ft of commercial space.
- 6-16 Lower Hillgate will be demolished to make way for a 9,800 sq ft structure with 13 one-bedroom apartments, one two-bedroom apartment, and 1,554 sq ft of commercial space.
The design and access statements associated with the development aim to reflect the building’s historic surroundings, with key design elements including stepped roofs, vertical windows and staggered plots in keeping with its existing characteristic look.
Stockport’s Underbanks already has a plethora of attractive indie businesses for those making their home in the area. With acclaimed restaurant Where The Light Gets In sitting above the historic street, diverse eating and drinking spots such such as Bistro Marc, Cafe Laco and The Spinn Off as well as record shops like SK1 Records and well-loved historic boozers like The Queens Head sit right on Lower Underbank. Heading down to nearby Lower Hillgate there’s even more to love from the likes of Top O The Town Vintage, Rare Mags, Hillgate Cakery and Mekong Cat. Additional announcements of more planned new openings for the area include a bar from Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and a revamp of bar Notion with added pizza from the folks behind Ate Days a Week. It’s certainly a desirable place to live, so no wonder developers are moving in.
The housing development project was granted permission back in November 2021 and received final sign off in late 2022. The applications’ reference numbers with Stockport Council are DC/078287, DC/078265, DC/078286, and DC/078266.
