Villa Development Brighton Grove

PROSPECTUS OF THE BRIGHTON GROVE VILLAS - It will be generally allowed that, taking into consideration the population of Manchester, the amazing extent of its trade and the wealth of many of its inhabitants, there has been a great want of respectable residences, so situated as to possess some of the advantages which the country affords, and yet not so far removed from the town as to trench upon the convenience of business.

Recently, however, it has been proposed in part to supply that deficiency, by the “Victoria Park Tontine,” a scheme which, however good, can only furnish a small portion of that accommodation which is so imperiously for.

Who would have expected that every respectable inhabitant in Mosley Street would have been compelled to quit their dwellings, and that these houses should so promptly be converted into marts for trade, and in a style suited to the situation they occupy; such being the case, the projectors of the present undertaking have no hesitation in calling the public attention to the scheme in question, it already having received the attention of some of the most respectable inhabitants of the town.

The design is the formation of a grove or square, in the immediate neighbourhood of Manchester, in a pleasant situation, provided with excellent roads, and public stages at almost every hour in the day: the grove to consist of houses and pleasure grounds, in which architectural and rural taste will be displayed, and that upon a scale suited to the class of individuals whom it is intended to accommodate. The situation made choice of, and which is now being laid out under the superintendence of competent persons, has all the advantages which could be desired, as will be seen by the published view. The lake in the centre is supplied by a constant stream from the Gorton Water Works, by which the two grand ornaments to a country residence, wood and water, will here be found, and be made to confer not only beauty, but healthfulness to the situation.

The projectors of Brighton Grove have disposed the land intended to be occupied, so as to furnish every requisite accommodation for a limited number of elegant villas, adorned with shrubberies and extensive walks, tastefully laid out. The erection of these houses is to be under the superintendence of a committee, to be chosen by the subscribers. It is proposed that there should be 800 shares, at £50 each, forming a capital of £40,000; that £2 10s shall be immediately paid on the allotment being announced, and that a further sum of £7 10s, making the first instalment of £10, to be paid within one month after; and at the end of two months, a further sum of £10, and the remainder as the works carrying on may require, of which due notice will be given. That this sum of £40,000 shall be expended in the erection of houses as shown in the published view; that these houses shall be let at such rents as the managing committee shall deem reasonable, and so as to pay to the subscribers an adequate remuneration for their subscriptions.

The projectors of Brighton Grove are of the opinion that the houses intended to be built, if proceeded with in one grand whole, under the superintendence of competent persons, will be completed at much less expense than if separately built by individuals intending to inhabit them; they therefore recommend the scheme to the public, not as an object of speculation, but one of safe and profitable investment, and offering to such of the subscribers as may be seeking suitable residences, accommodation such as are not at all times to be met with.

Applications for Shares to be made to Mr David Holt, share broker, Ducie Place, where the Published View may be seen, and where prospectuses may be had, and other information obtained. [Manchester Times 11 June 1836 page 1 col 1]

The share broker, David Holt, added the following in a separate advertisement:

David Holt requests the attention of his Friends to the Prospectus of the Brighton Grove Villas, an undertaking that promises, upon a moderate scale, to furnish a number of the most desirable residences for that class of inhabitants who are driven out of respectable houses in Mosley Street and the neighbourhood. The situation chosen is one of the most desirable, being on the best line of road out of Manchester, and within twenty minutes’ drive of the Exchange. As the Projectors have limited the number of shares to 800 at £50 each, they are likely to be soon taken up, and therefore an early application is necessary. [Manchester Times 11 June 1836 page 1 col 2]

BRIGHTON GROVE, RUSHOLME. - The above GROVE is now to be disposed of in plots, suitable for the erection of genteel residences. The attention of the public is therefore now invited to this most delightful situation: and it may with justice be asserted that there is no spot in the vicinity Manchester which affords such permanent prospects of beauty and ornament combined with the advantage of pure air. The land, fronting the high road opposite that noble mansion, Platt Hall, for 250 yards, and extends about 350 yards back up to Birch Chapel. The grounds are laid out with a beautiful centre piece, 50 yards in width and 250 in length, including an extensive lake of pure water, surrounding an island and pleasure grounds with gravel walks, lawns, and ornamental beds, to be planted with the most select shrubs, is intended to be fenced in with handsome palisading. The Lodges, now nearly built, will be finished off in a superior style so as to be both ornamental and convenient. The substratum of the principal part of the land is gravel and sand, covered with a thick rich coat of soil, every way suitable for gardens.  The land is already conveyed in plots, so that no part is subject to heavy chief rent. - Apply for particulars to Mr John Rogers, 38 Hanging Ditch; Mr John Norris, solicitor, 3, Marsden Street; or Mr Atkinson, architect, Store street. [Manchester Guardian 27 August 1836 page 4 – classified]

Reference           Manchester Times 11 June 1836 page 1