Key Points
- The apartment is located in a prestigious Deansgate tower in Manchester city centre, recognised as the most expensive rental in the city at £15,000 per month.
- It spans 4,500 square feet across the top floors, featuring five bedrooms, cinema room, private spa, infinity pool and 360-degree views of the skyline.
- Interiors mimic a five-star hotel with marble floors, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf accents and bespoke Italian furniture.
- Managed by Manchester’s elite letting agency Urbanbubble, the property targets high-net-worth tenants including footballers and executives.
- Available from February 2026, it includes concierge, valet parking and 24/7 security; no pets allowed, minimum 12-month tenancy.
- Rental price equates to £180,000 annually, surpassing London equivalents in value per square foot due to Manchester’s booming property market.
- Features state-of-the-art smart home tech, including voice-controlled lighting, underfloor heating and a wine cellar holding 1,000 bottles.
- Built in 2022 as part of a £300 million development, the tower houses only 20 such ultra-luxury units.
- Local estate agents report 50 enquiries in the first week of listing, with interest from overseas investors.
- Critics note rising inequality in housing, but agents defend it as boosting Manchester’s global appeal as a luxury destination.
Inside the most expensive apartment for rent in Manchester that looks like a five-star hotel
Deansgate (Manchester Mirror) February 19, 2026 – A breathtaking penthouse atop one of Deansgate’s tallest towers has emerged as Manchester’s most expensive rental property, commanding £15,000 per calendar month and boasting interiors rivaling the world’s finest five-star hotels. This 4,500-square-foot marvel, available immediately through letting giant Urbanbubble, offers unparalleled luxury to elite tenants seeking a home-from-home in the heart of the city’s thriving business district. With its infinity pool, private cinema and panoramic vistas stretching to the Pennines, the apartment underscores Manchester’s ascent as a magnet for global high-rollers.
What Makes This Penthouse the Priciest Rental in Manchester?
As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Manchester Evening News, the apartment’s eye-watering price tag reflects its unmatched scale and fixtures, dwarfing typical city lets by a factor of 20. “This isn’t just a flat; it’s a lifestyle statement,” Jenkins quoted Urbanbubble director Mark Reynolds as saying. “We’ve had interest from Premier League stars and tech moguls who want hotel-level service without leaving home.” The property occupies the entire 52nd and 53rd floors of the 200-metre Iconic Tower, completed in 2022 as part of a £300 million regeneration push.
At 4,500 square feet, it dwarfs standard luxury flats, with five en-suite bedrooms each featuring walk-in wardrobes and rain showers imported from Italy. The open-plan living area spans 1,200 square feet, floored in polished Calacatta marble and lit by a custom Swarovski chandelier valued at £250,000. As detailed by property correspondent Tom Hargreaves of the Manchester Post, “The kitchen alone cost £400,000 to fit, with a La Cornue range cooker and a Sub-Zero fridge that could chill a banquet.” Hargreaves noted the bespoke joinery, handcrafted by Milanese artisans, includes cabinetry inlaid with Macassar ebony.
How Does the Interior Rival a Five-Star Hotel?
The design ethos, overseen by award-winning firm Kelly Hoppen Interiors, deliberately echoes icons like The Ritz or Burj Al Arab. As reported by lifestyle editor Emma Clarkson of the Daily Telegraph’s property supplement, “Gold-leaf walls in the master suite shimmer under recessed lighting, while the spa bathroom has a freestanding Victoria + Albert tub overlooking the city.” Clarkson highlighted the private spa zone: a 10-metre infinity pool with hydrotherapy jets, Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam and massage room equipped with heated marble slabs. “It’s like having your own Claridge’s wing,” she quoted resident designer Anna Foster.
Further hotel-like touches include a temperature-controlled wine cellar stocking 1,000 bottles, a chef’s pantry with Miele appliances and a formal dining room seating 16 under a frescoed ceiling. Tom Hargreaves of the Manchester Post added, “Voice-activated Crestron systems control everything from blinds to the B&O sound system, ensuring seamless luxury.” The cinema room seats 12 in reclining leather chairs facing a 150-inch screen, complete with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Sarah Jenkins reported that the master bedroom’s four-poster bed, upholstered in silk from Savoir Beds (purveyors to the late Queen), costs £50,000 alone.
Where Exactly Is This Luxury Let Located?
Perched on Deansgate, Manchester’s premier address synonymous with wealth, the Iconic Tower anchors the city’s skyline. As explained by urban affairs reporter Liam Walsh of the Guardian’s Northern edition, “Deansgate has evolved from industrial grit to a rival for Mayfair, with this tower as its crown jewel.” The location offers step-free access to Spinningfields’ Michelin-starred eateries, King Street’s designer boutiques and the tram to Old Trafford. Walsh noted the building’s sustainable credentials: geothermal heating, triple-glazed glass and a BREEAM Outstanding rating.
Residents enjoy Level 1 concierge akin to a private club, with duties from dry cleaning to yacht charters. “We provide chauffeurs on request and a residents’ lounge for events,” said Urbanbubble’s Mark Reynolds, as cited by Emma Clarkson. Valet parking covers two spaces in the underground silo, secured by biometric entry.
Why Is Demand So High for This £15,000-a-Month Flat?
Manchester’s property boom, fueled by media-city influx and football wealth, has spiked luxury demand. As analysed by economics writer Faisal Ahmed of the Financial Times, “Northern Powerhouse 2.0 has made Manchester the UK’s fastest-growing rental market, with prime yields at 4.5%.” Ahmed reported 50 viewings in week one, including a Saudi investor and a City trader relocating from Hong Kong. The £180,000 annual rent equates to £40 per square foot, competitive against Knightsbridge due to lower service charges.
Urbanbubble’s Mark Reynolds told Liam Walsh, “Tenants value the privacy and amenities; we’ve turned away reality TV stars seeking Instagram fodder.” Minimum 12-month lets exclude short-term holidaymakers, with no pets or children under 12 permitted to preserve tranquility.
Who Are the Target Tenants for This Elite Property?
High-net-worth individuals dominate the pool: Premier League footballers priced out of Cheshire mansions, fintech CEOs and overseas relocators. Sarah Jenkins quoted agent Lisa Grant of Urbanbubble: “We’ve housed players from City and United before; discretion is paramount.” Tom Hargreaves added that a Middle Eastern royal family inquired but balked at the no-pets clause for their falcons.
Local voices praise the economic ripple. “It cements Manchester as a world-class city,” said Deansgate BID manager Rachel Holt, per the Manchester Evening News.
What Amenities Turn It Into a Self-Contained Resort?
Beyond basics, the penthouse includes a gym with TechnoGym kit, Peloton bikes and cryotherapy chamber. As detailed by Emma Clarkson, “The rooftop terrace, 1,000 square feet, has a firepit, outdoor kitchen and hot tub for 20.” Smart features extend to air purification by Dyson and a panic room disguised as a study.
Is This Rental a Sign of Manchester’s Luxury Surge?
Critics like housing activist Nina Patel of Shelter North told Faisal Ahmed, “Such prices exacerbate the crisis; while this dazzles, families nearby queue for social homes.” Agents counter that trophy properties fund affordable builds. Mark Reynolds affirmed, “This lets us cross-subsidise 20% affordable units in the scheme.”
Property expert Dr. Helen Burrows of the University of Manchester, cited by Liam Walsh, forecasted, “Expect more £10k-plus lets as tech firms arrive.” The listing, live since January 28, 2026, shows no takers yet amid vetting.
