24 Hour Property People
Date: 20/11/2006
Source: PAD Magazine
Renowned for delivering high quality regeneration schemes in Manchester including Barbirolli Square and Deansgate Locks, Ask Developments is currently developing Central Park the UK¹s first large-scale mixeduse urban business park just 1.5 miles from Manchester city centre. Building on an extensive portfolio of mixed-use schemes, Ask is soon to embark on a new residential development division, with key sites planned at Urmston, Bury and Castlefield Quay. PaD talks to the man responsible, Duncan Bowman, to find out what will set these apart and how the future residential market shapes up.
PaD: Ask is well known for its commercial developments but what are the long-term plans for its residential development arm?
DB: As Ask has 5,000 residential units within its portfolio, the aim has always been to set up a residential development function.
The new team will concentrate on highquality residential partments and will run alongside Abito, which already has 500 units currently on site. We are currently working hard developing both the management structure and the brand, which we aim to launch in the near future.
PaD: What do you see as your greatest challenge and what are you looking forward to most?
DB: The greatest challenge I have been given in my career is to set up
the residential business for Ask. I have been excited since I was first offered the opportunity and having been here seven months, I still am! I¹m really looking forward to the initial brand launch, seeing our schemes start on site and also seeing purchasers being introduced into our developments.
PaD: What's your perception of the current market condition? Presumably Ask¹s decision to venture into residential development suggests that the market is strong and there are still buyers out there?
DB: The market has been very challenging in recent times. However,
the past few months have seen a notable upturn in sales levels across the city centre the underlining demand is clearly there and it is nice to have a blank sheet of paper at Ask where there are no set systems in place or perceptions of what the market is. We have an opportunity to assess where purchasers are, what they want, and provide a service and product which they desire.
PaD: Can you tell us a bit about the schemes already in the pipeline? What will make Ask¹s residential schemes stand out?
DB: In the immediate future, we have three sites; one in Urmston town centre, one at Townside in Bury and one at Castlefield Quay in the city centre all are due to commence early next year. Following this, we have schemes in Salford Quays, Cheshire and an additional 2,500 units in Manchester city centre. We are also looking at Leeds, Liverpool and London. What will set us apart? Quality! Our customers will be making significant investments in the Ask brand and I am adamant that our business will have a holistic approach to quality that permeates everything from design through to after-sales service.
PaD: Finally, if you had unlimited budget, in which world city would you buy an apartment and why?
DB: A penthouse in San Francisco views, culture, beaches, nightlife. What more could you ask for?
To find out more about Ask Developments, contact 0870 242 4499 or visit www.askdevelopments.com.