Home is where the heart is for first-time buyers

First-time buyers, Max Lee and Laura Rodriguez were showing Laura’s parents the site of their new home at Barnes Village, Cheadle when Max got down on one knee and asked Laura to marry him. 

A history teacher in Manchester, Max comments: “When I was planning the proposal, outside the plot of our first house together seemed like the perfect place to pop the question. Laura’s parents were visiting from Spain and I’d arranged for our family and friends to meet us afterwards in a bar nearby - as long as it had all gone to plan!”

Developers Henley Homes are bringing the Grade II Listed former Barnes Hospital back to life to create Barnes Village. Located near Stockport, Greater Manchester, Barnes Village is a collection of 155 houses and apartments set in and around one of the North West’s most recognisable local landmarks. Max and Laura have purchased a two-bedroom new build townhouse for £275,000 at Henley Homes’ development.

Once the development has been completed, 38 of the units will be housed within and attached to the former hospital building itself, complete with unique features, from triple ceiling heights to ornate windows and intricate cornicing. The individually designed homes in the old hospital will range in size from studios to three-bedroom, three-storey townhouses with their own entrances, each carefully created by Henley, who have a track record in creating high end homes in historic buildings.     

Set within extensive landscaping and attractive street scenes, there will also be 117 two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses within the grounds of Barnes Village. 

Max, 25 says: “We’d been renting in Prestwich for three years when we started talking about buying somewhere together. Laura found Barnes Village by looking online for new builds in Manchester. It was the first development we went to see, everyone was telling us to relax - there’s no way you’ll buy the first house you view!”

Laura, a structural engineer, says: “This historic site is so impressive and Henley’s track record with quality conversion projects really encouraged us. They were so helpful during the buying process, I wanted to see all the drawings and plans, probably more than their average buyer but everyone was so happy to help! Our house is due for completion later in the year, as we really wanted a plot with a south facing garden. We’ve started a notebook which we update with building developments every time we visit. It’s a nice memento of the process.”

Max adds: “And the sales team were very helpful when I was planning the proposal, I think it was a first for them! We’re moving from the other side of Manchester but we know Cheadle fairly well, we have friends who live nearby and we’ve visited the village a few times. It’s a busy time for us, Laura is completing her Masters, we’ve bought a house and now we’ve got a Spanish wedding to plan!”