Project Overview

Antonio and Lars transformed the rear of their Victorian terraced home in Didsbury with a light-filled kitchen extension designed by Pride Road Architects Manchester South. The project replaced a dark, underused conservatory and cramped kitchen with a spacious open-plan living area that connects beautifully to the garden.

The Problem

Although the house had beautiful character and generous proportions, the rear of the property was not working well.

The original kitchen was narrow and poorly lit. Beyond it sat a confusing collection of spaces including a storage room, utility and a conservatory that had been enclosed over time but remained cold and underused.

Despite a reasonably large footprint, the layout made the area feel cramped and disconnected from the garden.

Antonio and Lars wanted a warmer, brighter and more sociable space where cooking, working and entertaining could naturally happen in one place.

The Design Solution

Pride Road Architect Magdalena Haener developed a design for a single-storey rear extension combined with internal reconfiguration.

The scheme removed the conservatory and utility spaces and replaced them with a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.

The extension was carefully shaped around site constraints including existing drainage and manholes located to the rear of the house.

A roof overhang and large rooflights bring daylight deep into the plan, while slim-framed black aluminium doors and windows strengthen the connection to the garden. A built-in bench beneath the glazing creates a comfortable place to sit and enjoy views outside.

Externally, the extension is clad in coloured polyester powder coated aluminium, giving the addition a crisp, contemporary appearance while sitting comfortably alongside the original Victorian brickwork. The clean lines of the metal cladding help define the new architecture without competing with the character of the existing house.

Inside, elements of the original property, including exposed brickwork, were retained so the extension feels contemporary while still connected to the character of the Victorian home.

The Result

The new extension has completely changed how Antonio and Lars use their home.

A large kitchen island now provides space for cooking, working and gathering, while the open layout means friends and family can comfortably spend time together in one room.

Underfloor heating and tiled flooring make the space comfortable throughout the year, and the combination of rooflights and glazing fills the room with natural light.

Upstairs, the project also included improvements to the bathroom layout and the refurbishment of an underused guest bedroom and en suite, creating a welcoming and practical space for visitors.

The build began in January 2025. Antonio and Lars moved back in around July, with the main construction largely complete by August.

The overall build cost was approximately £200,000, with the kitchen costing around £35,000.

Client Perspective

Antonio explains:

“The best thing about it is having that space downstairs. It’s lovely for everyday life, but also when friends and family come round. Before, everyone was crammed into the smallest room in the house. Now it’s a space where people naturally gather.”

Project Team

Architect
Magda Haener
Pride Road Architects Manchester South

Structural Engineer
BDI Structural Solutions

Quantity Surveyor
Brenda Decker
Virtue Masteries

Building Control
Align Building Control

Builder
Roddick
Form Construction

Kitchen
Kemp Kitchens, Sale

Photographer
Phil Tragan

Planning Authority
Manchester City Council

Project Summary

Location: Didsbury, Manchester
Property type: Victorian terraced house
Date of property: circa 1850–1860
Bedrooms: Four
Project type: Single-storey rear extension and internal reconfiguration
Build start: January 2025
Main build completion: August 2025
Build cost: approximately £200,000
Kitchen cost: approximately £35,000

How much does a kitchen extension cost in Manchester?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning a kitchen extension is how much it will cost.

For this project in Didsbury, the construction cost was approximately £200,000, with the kitchen costing around £35,000 in addition. Every project is different, and the final cost depends on factors such as the size of the extension, structural work required, site constraints and the level of interior specification.

Across Manchester and South Manchester, many single-storey kitchen extension projects typically fall somewhere between £80,000 and £250,000 depending on size, complexity and finishes.

Working with an architect early in the process can help you understand what is possible within your budget before committing to design drawings or construction.

Thinking about extending your home?

If you’re planning a kitchen extension or house extension in Didsbury, Chorlton, Withington, Sale or anywhere in South Manchester, we can help you explore what is possible with your home.

At Pride Road Architects, we specialise in designing thoughtful home extensions that transform traditional houses into bright, spacious living spaces for modern family life. Our work focuses on helping homeowners unlock the potential of Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes across South Manchester and Cheshire.

Booking an initial consultation with an architect is often the best place to start. During this session we can explore layout ideas, discuss planning considerations and explain the steps involved in designing and delivering a successful extension.

If you’re considering a kitchen extension in Didsbury or the surrounding South Manchester area, you can book an initial consultation with Pride Road Architects to talk through your ideas and understand the next steps for your home.

Kitchen Extension Architects in Didsbury, South Manchester

Pride Road Architects specialise in kitchen extensions and home reconfigurations for traditional houses across Didsbury, Chorlton, Withington, Sale, Altrincham and the wider South Manchester area.

We help homeowners unlock the potential of Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s houses through thoughtful design, careful planning and practical guidance from concept through to construction.