Top 10 regional BTR developments: HomeViews BTR Awards

The Green Rooms rated the best regional BTR development 2020

Which are the very best UK BTR developments outside London? HomeViews has revealed the Top 10 for 2020 in our BTR Awards – the only awards for the Build to Rent industry that are based on resident reviews.

Also to reflect what a unique year 2020 has been, we’ve calculated the rankings solely using reviews submitted since January 1st of this year. This provides a unique insight into how BTR developments have responded to the truly unprecedented circumstances of such a momentous year.

Manchester wins big

Regional developments made up seven of the Top 10 National BTR developments in the 2020 Awards listings. As we’ve already reported, The Green Rooms in Salford won both Best Regional and Best National BTR Development Awards. However Greater Manchester secured another three places in the National Top 10, with Duet MediaCityUK, The Slate Yard and West Tower all achieving stunning ratings.

These are joined by New Maker Yards and Oxbow to take Manchester up to six developments in the Regional Top 10 list. With Manchester operator Urbanbubble also winning the Top property Management Company Award, the UK’s ‘second city’ takes undisputed first place as the UK’s top location for outstanding BTR developments.

Birmingham BTR developments also made a strong showing at the 2020 Awards. The Lansdowne by Way of Life secured second place in the Regional Top 10 and an impressive third place in the National list. Aston Place and The Whitmore Collection also featured in both lists. Dandara Living’s Leeds development Leodis Square completed the Regional Top 10.

HomeViews Awards criteria 2020

It was clear to us that this year’s HomeViews Awards must reflect how unique a year 2020 has been. We wanted to celebrate the extraordinary efforts made by BTR developments around the country to look after tenants in the midst of such upheaval and uncertainty.

To do this, we have based the 2020 HomeViews BTR Awards solely on reviews collected since January 1st, 2020. The Top 10 regional BTR developments list below is based on residents’ ratings from this period.

Top 10 Regional BTR Developments

(Please note, scoring for awards was based solely on reviews from 2020. Star ratings shown below differ from the awards scoring as they also factor in historical reviews.)

The Green Rooms MediaCityUK, M50

AmroLiving
4.86 (200 reviews) 4.86 (200 reviews)
Area guide to Salford
Image of The Green Rooms MediaCityUK, M50

The Green Rooms takes the Best Regional BTR Development Award for 2020, along with the National title. Managed by Amro Living, The Green Rooms has achieved a remarkable score of 4.93 out of 5 since its opening in February. The development benefits from being pet friendly, waterside views, a residents’ gym and bike storage, and residents rate their building second to none!

“It is a joy to be in, and I feel it is a bit of luxury to enjoy. The management are so good, very attentive and totally committed to helping everyone to be happy in their home.”
– MJS, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Oct 2020

Read reviews and details of The Green Rooms MediaCityUK, M50

The Lansdowne, B16

Way of Life
4.73 (169 reviews) 4.73 (169 reviews)
Area guide to Birmingham
Image of The Lansdowne, B16

The Lansdowne takes second place in our list of the Top 10 Regional Developments for 2020 with an impressive overall rating of 4.88. Managed by Way of Life, the building offers 206 apartments, furnished or unfurnished, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes on offer. Residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including a residents’ gym and lounge, plus private cycle storage with a bike workshop.

“These are great apartments in a great area. The entire staff always greet you with a smile and are very helpful to our needs, and are quick to attend to any problems that arise.”
– Thekla A, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Oct 2020

Read reviews and details of The Lansdowne, B16

Duet MediaCityUK, M50

JLL
4.86 (159 reviews) 4.86 (159 reviews)
Area guide to Salford
Image of Duet MediaCityUK, M50

Always at or near the top of any national or regional BTR lists, Duet by More. ‘Superenting’ has been a huge hit with its residents. The development comprises 270 pet-friendly one, two and three-bedroom apartments to rent with a friendly 24-hour concierge service and extensive communal spaces, including a fully equipped private gym.

“It’s obvious that the management are great at what they do and live their values as this trickles down amongst all the staff and impacts on the tenants making this a great place to live.”
– Harpreet, Verified Resident on HomeViews, October 2020

Read reviews and details of Duet MediaCityUK, M50

Aston Place, B1

Dandara Living
4.91 (680 reviews) 4.91 (680 reviews)
Area guide to Birmingham
Image of Aston Place, B1

Taking fourth place is Aston Place, by Dandara Living. This much-loved development is located in the centre of Birmingham and offers studio, one and two bedroom apartments with access to a gym, resident events and car parking. The building is just five minutes from Birmingham New Street Station and the city’s business and retail districts.

“The building itself is incredibly well designed, with great facilities. It is managed really well, with someone always available to help – the operations manager Kishor is also really helpful and welcoming and has made my stay stress-free.”
– K Patel, Verified resident on HomeViews, Nov 2020

Read reviews and details of Aston Place, B1

The Whitmore Collection, B3

Legal & General, urbanbubble
4.91 (209 reviews) 4.91 (209 reviews)
Area guide to Birmingham
Image of The Whitmore Collection, B3

Birmingham’s third entry in the Top 5, The Whitmore Collection takes the fifth spot. The building is managed by this year’s Top BTR Property Management Company Urbanbubble and is Located within Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The Whitmore Collection offers a mix of 220 one and two bedroom flats alongside three-bedroom houses. The scheme is pet-friendly and residents have access to a Residents’ Clubhouse with a games room, a private dining area, a study room, TV area and gym.

“I must say this is hands-down the best apartment building ever. I had lived in many nice apartments in London over the years but none quite like this.”
– Andrea S, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Oct 2020

Read reviews and details of The Whitmore Collection, B3

The Slate Yard, M3

Legal & General, urbanbubble
4.52 (156 reviews) 4.52 (156 reviews)
Area guide to Manchester
Image of The Slate Yard, M3

In joint sixth position is another outstanding Urbanbubble / Legal & General development: The Slate Yard. Located in Spinningfields, the building is a 6-minute walk away from Salford Central and offers residents access to a wide range of facilities, including a 24 hour on-site team, a residents’ gym, housekeeping services and a residents’ lounge. The development is also pet-friendly.

“I have lived at the Slate Yard for the last 12 months and could not be happier … I have floor to ceiling windows and a large balcony with breathtaking views of the city all the way to the Peak District.”
– Jonathan Caplan, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Oct 2020

Read reviews and details of The Slate Yard, M3

The Residences Manchester, M15

Legal & General, urbanbubble
4.67 (253 reviews) 4.67 (253 reviews)
Area guide to Manchester
Image of The Residences Manchester, M15

Tied with its sister development in sixth place is Urbanbubble’s West Tower in Manchester, managed by Legal & General. Situated in Deansgate Square, the development offers residents a wide range of amenities, including a swimming pool, sauna, cinema, roof-top garden and bar. The development is also only a three-minute walk away from both Castlefield and Deansgate stations.

“Despite moving in during lockdown 2.0 the whole process has been extremely smooth thanks to Catherine! We are in love with our new apartment and couldn’t fault a thing- from the beautiful furniture provided, the amenities (which we look forward to being able to use!) and the building itself!”
– Lana, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Nov 2020

Read reviews and details of The Residences Manchester, M15

Leodis Square, LS11

Dandara Living
4.71 (163 reviews) 4.71 (163 reviews)
Area guide to Leeds
Image of Leodis Square, LS11

Leodis Square by Dandara Living takes seventh place in our list of the best regional BTR developments. Located in central Leeds, the highly popular scheme offers studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Residents benefit from an onsite gym, a pet friendly policy and community events. The development is also just 5 minutes’ walk from the city’s business and retail districts.

“Would deff recommend any young professional to live here. Ideal with the gym included and the 24 hour concierge service. All the staff are really friendly and more than happy to help.”
– Megan C, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Aug 2020

Read reviews and details of Leodis Square, LS11

New Maker Yards, M5

Get Living
4.44 (274 reviews) 4.44 (274 reviews)
Area guide to Salford
Image of New Maker Yards, M5

Eighth place goes to New Maker Yards by Get Living. This hugely successful development features 275 homes with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Middlewood Locks. New Maker Yards was built around three historic canal basins and is bounded by the River Irwell. Residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including 24 hour security, Seven Bro7hers bar & restaurant and a Co-op store.

“New Maker Yards is a lovely, modern development – I love the enclosed but open shared green spaces where people can walk their dogs or sit in the sun. The terrace outside my flat is an amazing addition and makes my flat a 10/10.”
– Beth, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Sept 2020

Read reviews and details of New Maker Yards, M5

Oxbow, M5

Greystar
4.28 (119 reviews) 4.28 (119 reviews)
Area guide to Salford
Image of Oxbow, M5

Ninth place goes to Manchester’s Oxbow development – an INSRATA Lifestyle Residence managed by Greystar. Oxbow offers a collection of one, two and three-bedroom rental homes situated close to the River Irwell. This stylish development gives residents access to an impressive range of facilities, including onsite gym and a 24-hour on-site team.

“The buildings are beautifully furnished to a high standard, and very luxurious. The rooms are very spacious and soundproof too. The staff are extremely friendly and will accept and look after all your parcles / deliveries.”
– Aimee C, Verified Resident on HomeViews, Oct 2020

Read reviews and details of Oxbow, M5

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written by

Hannah Marsh

Prior to co-founding HomeViews, Hannah gained 12 years of senior marketing ex... Read all

Prior to co-founding HomeViews, Hanna... Read all