The brief
In Manchester’s St Ann’s Square conservation area, three historic office and retail buildings, including one Grade II listed, have been converted into 24 luxury apartments. In keeping with the prestigious location, the brief for the interior was to retain and celebrate the existing period character whilst creating high-end bespoke residential apartments for discerning renters.
The challenges of the heritage building demanded a sensitive approach to respect and preserve the building’s architectural heritage. Retained original staircases and existing timber features have been carefully complemented with high-specification materials for a classic yet contemporary design.
Client: Cogent BC and DTZi
Sector: Residential
Architect: AEW Architects
Flooring Contractor: Nationwide Flooring Contracts Ltd
Photography: RECOM Solutions LTD
Products: Honey Limed Oak and Lansdown.
Area: 1825m2
Awards: Finalist, CFJ Flooring Industry Awards 2025
Shortlisted, Apartment Development of the Year, Insider North West Residential Property Awards 2025
Floor pictured: Honey Limed Oak (Herringbone)
The concept
The project was carefully planned to respect the building’s historic layout and period features, whilst incorporating contemporary fixtures and finishes. The interior design of each apartment combines existing architecture with a thoughtful integration of modern materials.
For traditional elegance with outstanding practicality, Karndean flooring was chosen for both communal and residential areas. Laid on a base of plywood to protect the historic floor, Honey Limed Oak from the Knight Tile range was chosen as the primary flooring finish in each living space and the central staircase, combined with Lansdown, a classic monochrome tiled design from the Heritage Collection, in the communal corridors.
Floor pictured: Lansdown
“The self-contained apartments include between six and 11 study bedrooms, each with a compact ensuite, and a generously sized shared kitchen dining living room. Wider and shallower than frequently found in student accommodation and fitted with large windows that open for plenty of natural ventilation, the study bedrooms benefit from daylight that penetrates all the way to the back of the room, connecting the interior with its woodland surroundings.”
The look
The result is a welcoming, high-end environment with long-term durability. The warm tones of Honey Limed Oak in a classic herringbone pattern and the timeless yet on-trend boldness of Lansdown serve to highlight and enhance the building’s original character.
Joe Norris, business development manager at Nationwide Flooring, said: “The goal of this project was to deliver luxury accommodation in keeping with its prestigious location, retaining and celebrating the historical character whilst creating a bespoke residential offer. Karndean flooring is an integral part of the project’s success, offering a seamless blend of classic design and contemporary practicality that has brought the vision to life.”
Floor pictured: Honey Limed Oak (Herringbone)
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