First people move in to £3.5m loft apartments in Preston city centre

Ben Hackett, 23, runs his own marketing company and Rachel Ovenden, 22, is a wedding and events photographer.

Ben said: “We love the Union Lofts, the space we have is amazing.

“For two creatives, the minimalist ‘blank slate’ we have to work with encourages such a great atmosphere to work, cook, play music and just generally live in; it makes us feel free.”

The couple moved into the Guildhall Street loft apartment building in May as Preston was soaking up the Spring sunshine.

“We’re so lucky to have had such great weather recently and the light in our apartment is incredible,” Ben said.

“We get the morning light through the Velux windows and the afternoon and evening sun on our balcony. The place is so quiet too considering it’s in the middle of Preston.”

The two bedroom 830 sq ft apartment sits on two floors of the former carriage and autocar manufactory. It was designed by architect Philip Thornton of Chase Architecture for developer Etc Urban.

Etc Urban’s Neil Thornton said: “We are so pleased Ben and Rachel are enjoying their new home.We designed The Union Lofts to appeal to home owners and we are happy to be playing our part creating new communities in the city centre.”

Ben and Rachel’s, west-facing terrace looks out towards Winckley Square from their ‘length of the building’ open plan living space and kitchen.

Ben added: “I think our favourite thing about the loft is the little quirks you get with old buildings like this one. The wooden beam that runs the length of our upstairs space is really cool, very useful to fill with art, plants and books.”

Ben runs Proper Thinking (@properthinkinguk), a creative marketing company focused on ethical and sustainable practice within business, based in Preston.

“I’m a big advocate for Preston. I grew up in Penwortham and studied at UCLan too. I think there’s so much changing in our city and we really wanted to be here to see it.”

Rachel owns Lancashire Wedding Photography (@rachelovendenphoto), which has been shooting weddings all over Lancashire and the North of England since 2015.

She said: “There really is nowhere else like this in Preston and we can't wait to see what happens in our city. To be a part of something so different in Preston is really exciting.

“I think our favourite place in Preston is Townhouse Coffee Shop, Louis and Bernice are so lovely and the food and coffee is great too. There is also Cedarwood, Plug and Taps, PLAU and The Harris.

“We've probably missed loads out but there really is so much to do in Preston now. We love the new market too. We always go to buy our fruit and veg, buying local is really important to us and we love how easy it is.

“The fact we're so close to Winckley Square and Avenham and Miller Parks is amazing too. I genuinely think they are some of the nicest green spaces we've been to.”