Iconic Manchester firm marks birthday with old school rave

Urban Splash party

Iconic Manchester property firm Urban Splash celebrated 25 years of business with an old-school rave.

More than 1,100 people took part in the birthday celebrations which were held at the Albert Hall in the city centre.

The event was named the Gold Diggers Ball and guests included former Hacienda DJ Graeme Park, Coronation St star turned DJ Craig Charles, chef Andrew Nutter and city council leader Sir Richard Leese.

Urban Splash founders Tom Bloxham MBE and Jonathan Falkingham MBE hosted the event.  The pair first established the brand in 1993.

Tom Bloxham

They specialised in revamping disused and unloved buildings in Manchester and Liverpool and turning them into in-demand apartments and workspaces.

Over the years the company has created more than 5,000 homes at New Islington, 3 Towers and Castlefield in Manchester, Irwell Riverside and Chimney Pot Park in Salford, Liverpool’s Ropewalks, Birmingham’s Rotunda building, Plymouth’s Royal William Yard, Saxton, Park Hill and Lister Mills in Yorkshire and Lakeshore in Bristol.

It has also created more than one million sq ft of workspace, won in excess of 400 awards and been heralded internationally – including making the coveted ‘Cool Brands’ list and entering the shortlist for the Stirling Prize for its work at Park Hill.

The company has stayed true to its founding principles and is pioneering larger scale communities at sites around the country, the team has also pushed convention by moving into modular housing, with two sites in Manchester alone.

In March this year, Urban Splash acquired its own offsite production facilities in Alfreton in the East Midlands, allowing it to create up to 400 houses per year.

Tom Bloxham said: “I’m honoured really. It’s been incredible to share the room tonight with so many brilliant people – each of whom has their own tale to tell about Urban Splash.

“We’ve worked really hard since 1993 to transform areas and structures that others didn’t want to, we helped make the city centres of Manchester and Liverpool viable places to live – when we started out they shut down at 6 o’clock – now they’re filled with homes, bars, restaurants, cultural events and they’re constantly growing and expanding.

“More than 40,000 people now live in Manchester and I’m pleased we helped kickstart the appeal of urban life.”

Hosted in the Grade II listed Albert Hall, the party was attended by architects, designers, Urban Splash colleagues past and present plus their families and friends; they were each treated to food, fizz and music.

Jonathan Falkingham said: “Our 25 year journey has been anything but easy, but reflecting tonight, we are beyond proud of everyone who has been a part of the story so far.

“Back when we started out we were told ‘It will never work’ – I’m delighted that we’ve pushed the boundaries and disproved that philosophy; great design, a disdain for the mediocre and a great team has got us here. Here’s to the next 25 years.”

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