Upperbanks ‘topped out’ and on course for autumn 2023 completion

Topping out has been celebrated at Upperbanks, the Rochdale Borough Council residential development.

The final concrete slab has been laid, topping out the work that started in October 2021, with all buildings now ready for other internal and external work to take place.

The brownfield site, which is next to the new Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure development, is part of the council’s town centre regeneration plan.

It will see nine- and 10-storey residential blocks, with 242 private apartments created for rent, along with a 146-bedroom Hampton by Hilton Hotel.

The scheme has attracted moe than £20m of external funding, with in excess of £17m coming from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and around £3m from the Greater Manchester’s Combined Authority’s Brownfield Development Fund.

Cllr John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Completion of the frames of the buildings is a welcome sight and shows the great progress the council is making towards offering new homes to bring people into our town centre as part of our wider plans to regenerate Rochdale.

“It is good to see the project is running to time and, subject to progress made, should see completion in autumn 2023.”

The next stage in the project will see contractors, Willmott Dixon, move on to developing the three buildings internally, modelling each of the spaces with the buildings fitted out with dry lining, wiring and piping work taking place.

Meanwhile, externally, brickwork and window installation for the hotel and apartments is under way.

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “The completion of all three frames is a fantastic milestone for the Upperbanks project. We’re proud to be playing our part in creating a new housing and hospitality offer which is unlike anything else we have seen in Rochdale.

“Alongside Rochdale Borough Council, Genr8 and our architect partners Leach Rhodes Walker and KKA, we’re committed to ensuring Upperbanks creates sustainable employment opportunities for local people and leaves a positive legacy.”

The final one of the three cranes which have been a fixture of Rochdale’s skyline, used for the construction of the buildings, will come down in the near future.

Upperbanks is a Rochdale Borough Council scheme being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency, with Willmott Dixon as the contractors.