5 Winckley Square, Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire

In my opinion, this is without doubt the best apartment on Winckley Square. Packed with period features, an abundance of space and a building with a great back story and provenance.

Number 5 Winckley Square was built in 1854 for Thomas Miller Esq., senior partner in Horrockses Miller and Co. Cotton Manufacturers in Preston.

In 1846 the Miller family resided at 3 Winckley Square with thier two sons and five staff. In 1854 the family had grown further still and needed more space.

Thomas Miller bought 11 Winckley Street specifically to build a new mansion in the substantial gardens. He also purchased 15-20 Butler’s Court and had them demolished for their land to be incorporated into the plot for his new mansion.

Miller’s grand ‘Italian palazzo style’ mansion (5 Winckley Square) was born having been designed by Manchester Architects Mills and Murgatroyd who would later go on to design a number of iconic buildings in Manchester.

There is much more history that followed but I should get back to talking about the appointment itself.

When the apartments were converted they were done very sympathetically and the ornate
Italianate features have remained unaltered. As you enter the main communal hallway you are immediately met with decorative plasterwork and mouldings to the ceilings as well as an original tiled floor and some simply beautiful ornate stained glass windows that follow up the staircase.

Upon entering this apartment you come into a sizeable hallway with high ceilings with ornate coving, original woodwork and doors and a sympathetically chosen tiled floor. From here there are doors to the main bedroom, the inner hallway and the master bedroom.

The inner hallway also has access to the reception room, the useful WC, the kitchen and up to bedroom 2 via a spiral staircase but more about that later.

The lounge has double original pocket doors off the hall with large picture windows framing the views of Winckley Square wonderfully and they also allow the room to be flooded with natural light. The original features in this room go on and on. There is stunning wood panel detailing around the window reveals and below the window, an original fireplace and the most dramatic decorative ceiling that you are likely to see. The size of this room gives space both for ample seating and dining.

To the rear of the apartment is the kitchen breakfast room. The room is fitted with an abundance of storage solutions, granite work surfaces and a breakfast bar to dine informally or to enjoy a glass of wine whilst dinner is bubbling away on the stove. From this room, you have views over the courtyard to the rear of the building.

With views over Winckley Square, the main bedroom faces the same way as the lounge. The original features continue here with two large picture windows with decorative wood panelling to the window reveals, the same dramatic decorative ceiling as the lounge and access to the en suite shower room. When I think of a proper master bedroom suite this is exactly what comes to mind. The ensuite has both a bath and a shower so whether you want a long soak or you're a quick shower in the morning person all bases are covered here.

Now while I love this apartment my favourite feature is found at the top of the spiral staircase I mentioned earlier. The second bedroom is of a mezzanine style and has the most sumptuous decorative plasterwork including the incredibly intricate busts of what looks like Posiodon the Greek god of the sea. This is all housed under a simply breathtaking and precision-engineered roof lantern.

Consequently, this room is filled with natural light and the bespoke shutters help to create a relaxing and peaceful ambience for sleeping. As with the master, this bedroom is what I consider to be a proper size and is completed by a high-quality shower room.

Accessed via Winckley Street is the gated secure parking for which this apartment has one allocated space.

In terms of location as I have alluded to there really isn't much better.

Whether you want to enjoy the green open spaces of Winckley Square or Avenham Park or the independent coffee shops, bars, restaurants and eateries of Winkley Street or easy access to the rail station you couldn't be better placed. All of these locations are within a short stroll of 5 Winckley Square.

Leasehold Information

Number of years remaining on the lease: 980 years

Current service charge and any review period:
- £4,599.12 per year
- 1 year

Council tax band: G