Historic racecourse Turnstile Building clicks back into life

One of Salford’s most iconic buildings has been restored to its former glory as part of the development of a new urban village.

Listed as a local heritage asset, the Turnstile Building on Cromwell Road will form an integral amenity for Castle Irwell, a community of 500 contemporary homes currently under construction on the site of the former Manchester Racecourse.

Thousands of racegoers flocked through the distinctive building on race days during the course’s 60-year history.

The course closed in 1963 and the site was acquired by Salford University for student housing with the Turnstile Building used as a shop and laundry for students.

The student village closed in 2015 and was later demolished, while the Turnstile Building, itself once threatened with demolition, had been boarded up.

Salboy acquired the site in 2019 and this year began work on creating a new urban village aimed at professionals and young families who want modern, energy-efficient homes on the edge of the city centre with access to open play spaces and nature.

The restoration was carried out by Domis Construction and completed in just 23 weeks.

Domis director, Kingsley Thornton, said: “The Turnstile Building was in a state of disrepair when we started work with parts of the roof missing or damaged and the brick work in a poor state. Internally a breeze block wall had been built the length of the building, so you could not see the distinctive arched facade.

“We stripped the building out, exposed and repaired the amazing oak roof trusses, we re-used the original roof tiles, cleaned and treated the brick and glazed the arched turnstile openings. There is a small modern extension at the back which also forms a new entrance and new car parking.

“The biggest challenge was initially understanding the building and reusing materials wherever we could.

“The reaction from local people when we took the hoardings down has been wonderful.

“Many have fond memories of the racecourse in its heyday and are really grateful this part of local history has been preserved.”

One half of The Turnstile Building is being used as office space by Domis, while the Castle Irwell project is under way with the other half as a marketing centre for sales of the new homes.

Salboy director, Simon Ismail, said: “The restored building looks stunning and will be a great permanent gateway to the Castle Irwell scheme with the option to be used for a variety of uses in the future.

“During construction it will be the place where buyers come to look at plans and choose their new home. It has been fitted out to show the huge range of options buyers have to customise their house and we think they will be blown away when they come inside and see the choices available and the quality.”

He added: “It’s a far cry from your usual show home and we think customers will love it.”

The first phase of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes was released for sale last month and already 40 have been reserved off-plan with phase two now made available.

The first residents are expected to move in in Spring next year.