Property round-up: Salix Homes; Haslingden Market; Vita Group; Victory Place; Deloitte; Booths Park No.2; Centarus; Foundation
Plans have been unveiled for a new, highly sustainable social housing development exclusively for older people in Salford.
Housing association Salix Homes, in partnership with NHS Greater Manchester, is seeking planning permission to build a 69-home ‘independent living scheme’ for the over-55s on disused land on Arrow Street in Higher Broughton.
The proposed development, which also includes an on-site doctors’ surgery and health clinic, will be built to Passivhaus standards, which is the leading low-energy design standard.
Passivhaus homes offer high thermal comfort and improved air quality, enabling a healthier living environment as well as lower energy bills.
Planning permission was previously approved in 2020 for a 70-unit ‘extra care’ facility at the site, but the revised proposals aim to better serve the needs of the community’s ageing population.
Liam Turner, Executive Director of Assets, Growth and Sustainability at Salix Homes, said: “We’re excited to share our revised plans for this new, highly sustainable, social housing development in Salford, designed specifically for people over 55.
“Partnering with NHS Greater Manchester, we aim to provide desirable, comfortable and sustainable social housing that better meets the needs and aspirations of older people. The Passivhaus design means these homes will be super energy-efficient, helping residents save on bills while enjoying a healthier living environment.”
He added: “The inclusion of a GP surgery on-site further underpins our commitment to working collaboratively with the health sector to support people’s wellbeing and develop future-proof homes that enable people to live independently for longer and reduce pressures on the NHS.”
The proposals comprise 66 one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments. Some of the apartments will be specifically designed to cater for residents with extra-mobility needs, including wheelchair access.
Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, is no stranger to Passivhaus design having recently completed the Greenhaus development.
Greenhaus is the largest Passivhaus affordable housing development in the North West, delivering 96 highly sustainable homes to Chapel Street in Salford. Construction is also under way on a similar Passivahus-certified scheme – Willohaus on Peru Street – which will deliver a further 100 affordable eco-homes in Salford.
The 2.1 acre brownfield site on Arrow Street has stood empty for more than 20 years, so the development will help revitalise the area, transforming an empty site into much needed social housing and healthcare services.
Salix Homes submitted its plans to Salford City Council this month (July) and a decision is expected later this year.
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Lancashire construction and development company B&E Boys has been appointed as the new main contractor for the £500,000 refurbishment of Haslingden Market and work is due to resume at the end of July.
Already the central area of the market has been cleared to make way for a vibrant social hub which will include an open-air flexible area and a new sheltered seating zone where benches will be placed for visitors to eat from a variety of street food cabins.
Other work will include levelling and resurfacing the floor to make it safe and accessible, renovating and reopening the public toilets, improving the trader communal area, and making the market space lighter, brighter and safer. Also, new gates and railings will be installed at each end of the market.
The open air area will be used for music and theatre performances with temporary seating, mini festivals and one-off artisan markets.
Cllr Adrian Lythgoe, a Cabinet member on Rossendale Borough Council and chair of the Haslingden 2040 Board, said: “Once reopened the market will offer local residents and visitors a fantastic social hub and bring extra life to the centre of town.”
A calendar of events will celebrate the opening of the new market including a young people’s market.
Rossendale Council is spending £200,000 on the refurbishment and the remaining £300,000 is from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Work on the market was temporarily delayed when the council proactively served notice on the previous contractor due to timescales for the completion of works not being met.
Cllr Lythgoe said: “We would like to thank everyone, especially market traders, for their patience and understanding, during the delay and we are pleased that B&E Boys is committed to completing the project as soon as possible.”
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Aerial view of First Street site
Urban regeneration specialist, Vita Group, is bringing forward new plans as a part of the First Street masterplan in Manchester.
The proposal brings forward plans for a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development under its best-in-class student brand Vita Student as part of the next phase of development at First Street.
The plans respond to the sustained demand for student accommodation in Manchester and could create 750 studio apartments. This will help alleviate the pressures on local housing stock and provide more access to apartments for students looking for accommodation in the city centre.
The studio apartments will be supported by social and study spaces, a state-of-the-art gym, paired with Vita Students’ customer experience which has been designed to help students maximise their university experience and ‘Begin Big’. It includes an on-site operations team delivering daily events, housekeeping, security and much more.
The new Vita Student development will be the second at First Street with the first opening in 2014.
Vita Group will be hosting a consultation event to talk through its plans for the exciting new development on July 23, 4-7pm at Vita Student First Street and would like to invite local residents and interested parties to share their ideas for the redevelopment.
A consultation page has also been created with information about the redevelopment, with detailed plans posted on July 23, following the event for people to browse at their own leisure and provide feedback through the online feedback form.
Max Bielby, Vita Group Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re excited by the prospect of expanding our Vita Student offering at First Street and look forward to meeting local residents and the wider city to talk through our proposal.
“We understand the growing demand for student accommodation in this area of the city and the appeal it has to both students at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.”
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CityRise, the property investment firm responsible for marketing the new Victory Place, has unveiled the first images of its new development in the up-and-coming borough of Trafford.
The off-plan development offers a range of 88 apartments over 13 floors, from studios to two-bedroom units, providing exceptional value for homebuyers and high rental yields for investors.
Victory Place, which will be complete in early 2026, is poised to become a landmark in Trafford, as the area undergoes significant regeneration, with substantial investments flowing into the redevelopment of Old Trafford football ground and the wider Civic Quarter Area Action Plan.
Sam Morrell, Director of CityRise, said: “Manchester has firmly established itself as the capital of the North. The city’s economic growth, population increase, and high rental demand make it a prime location for property investment. Trafford, in particular, is set to lead Manchester through a new era of regeneration.
“Investors and buyers that may have missed out on the city’s first wave of growth, can invest in an area that will achieve huge capital appreciation over the coming years.”
The Victory Place apartments are designed to a high-specification, and the development features a spacious communal lounge, concierge, co-working area, communal outdoor space, 44 parking spaces, and secure bike storage, to help promote sustainable commuting.
With expected rents on par with higher-priced developments in Manchester, yields are to exceed six per cent net – higher than Trafford’s average, providing an opportunity for buy-to-let investors.
Sam Morrell added: “Everyone saw the phenomenal impact of the Olympics on East London’s property market when the area hosted The Games in 2012. We expect a similar story in Trafford.”
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Jo Ahmed at 100 Embankment
Deloitte’s North West practice has officially opened its doors to a pioneering state-of-the-art home at 100 Embankment in Manchester.
Occupying 65,600 sq ft and split across three upper floors of the nine-storey building, plus the ground floor, the move underlines the firm’s ambitious vision for growth in the region, consistent with a hybrid working model which prioritises sustainability, flexibility and collaboration.
Jo Ahmed, North West Practice Senior Partner at Deloitte, said: “Our bold move reinforces Deloitte’s continued commitment to sustainable growth and development in the North West.
“We have over 1,400 extremely talented people based in the North West and I am proud to welcome each and every one of them, plus our clients and guests to 100 Embankment.”
She added: “We listened to our people and designed the new office around how they want to work focusing on collaboration, connection and innovation. The space incorporates new technology that enables seamless connection between our people and clients wherever they are.”
Gavin Harrison, head of Sustainability at Deloitte UK, said: “We know that providing offices that align with the environmental values of our people, partners and clients is vital. That’s why it’s so important to us that Deloitte is synonymous with delivering market-leading, sustainable workspaces, which place community at the heart of its design.”
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Bruntwood has completed the transformation of Booths Park No.2, as it aims to enhance its workspace and wellbeing offering at its collaborative business community, Booths Park.
Situated in 220 acres of scenic Cheshire parkland, Booths Park is designed to provide the perfect synergy between wellbeing and a positive work-life balance for its community of creative and innovation-led customers.
Bruntwood has reimagined No.2’s arrival experience, communal breakout areas and workspace offering to enhance its flexibility and foster deeper collaboration to allow start-ups and large, established businesses to scale and thrive.
No.2’s new arrival space and common areas have been transformed to deliver timeless simplicity inspired by the green parkland surroundings of Booths Park. These refurbished spaces encourage integrated working and allow businesses and the community to come together. Biophilia, contemporary artwork and lighting are balanced with pale wood tones to create an airy, calm space with booths and breakout areas centred around a new customer lounge, which includes soft seating and a modern open-plan design.
Bruntwood has also refurbished No.2’s existing leased workspace offering, which includes spaces from 520 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft.
Booths Park has already attracted a number of high growth businesses and global brands to the region, including Barclaycard, construction and civil engineering company, Sir Robert McAlpine, technical professional services firm, Jacobs, and software security company, PortSwigger.
Sharon Johnson, Head of Commercial at Bruntwood, said: “Continued investment in the local market has significantly increased demand for cutting edge office space. It’s imperative that we consistently enhance our diverse portfolio so we can deliver high quality spaces and amenities where wellbeing meets work for our network of customers.”
Booths Park No.2’s transformation has been designed by the team at Bruntwood and was delivered by CubicWorks.
Agents – OBI, CBRE and JLL.
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Jutland House interior
Full-service digital and web-design agency, Cantarus, has announced a relocation to new self-contained workspace in the Northern Quarter’s, Jutland House.
The 5,625 sq ft deal, spearheaded by long standing multi-disciplinary property business, OBI, offers more than 80% more floor space than the previous 3,000 sq ft base in York House, supporting the business’s goals to expand its team of 70+ staff.
The deal at Jutland House, which overlooks the canal, boasts five dedicated meeting spaces, two quiet working areas, and multiple collaboration zones.
OBI led the acquisition with the transaction incorporating occupier enhancement works which were undertaken by the landlord as part of the new lease agreement.
Mike Cundall, COO at Cantarus, said: “The rapid expansion of our business has necessitated a larger office space. This is the first time we’ve moved offices in six years, and we’re thrilled about the positive impact this has had on the business since moving in.”
Richard Lace, Director of Transactions and Asset Management at OBI, said: “As a long standing client of OBI’s, we’re pleased to work again with the team at Cantarus, helping them acquire a workspace that can support the business in the next stage of their growth.
“As part of the agreement with the landlord we were able to secure a package of enhancements to the suite including the addition of a new meeting spaces and finishes throughout the suite which align with the Cantarus brand. This allowed a smooth and seamless move to the new office.”
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Coworking spaces are now available at Foundation, the new collaborative workspace and leisure destination in the heart of the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham.
Located in a prime location in the heart of Altrincham town centre, opposite the transport interchange and a short walk from the Stamford Quarter car park, Foundation is designed for workers who want to switch up their working from home routine, and now offers Pay as You Go (PAYG) Coworking passes.
Amenities at Foundation include a kitchen area with free artisan tea and coffee, super fast and free WiFi, all of which are available for those taking advantage of the coworking spaces. Throughout July, guests with PAYG passes will also have complementary access to Foundation’s on site state-of-the-art gym and changing facilities.
The Foundation lounge space, located on the ground floor, has also been designed with remote workers in mind and has plenty of natural light and comfortable, collaborative seating areas. A calming terracotta orange and sage green colourway runs throughout the space which, accompanied with plenty of greenery, makes for a relaxing and enjoyable guest experience.
The building is also set to become home to a dynamic after-work experience with three other hospitality brands opening their doors over the next few weeks: Lane7, Nell’s, and Yum Cha.
Foundation – a development by Bruntwood and Trafford Council – opened earlier this year and incorporates a total of five floors, including three floors of leased workspace. The completion of the Foundation building signals a major milestone in the wider transformational plans for the Stamford Quarter, which will regenerate the high street and establish the area as a new and exciting destination for Altrincham. Stamford Square, just outside of Foundation, has just undergone a transformation with brand new seating areas and planters and will be home to a programme of events throughout the summer months.
Sharon Johnson, Head of Commercial at Bruntwood, said: “Our Pay as You Go passes at Fondation provide flexibility for those looking to work closer to home in an innovative environment. Whether you’re a freelancer, start-up, or small team, there are both hot desks and booths designed with hybrid working in mind, right in the heart of the high street. This, combined with access to Foundation’s state-of-the-art amenities and facilities, gives guests an elevated working experience that will increase productivity and improve their work-life balance.”
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “The Coworking spaces at Foundation are a great idea for remote workers who want to take advantage of a relaxed, flexible, modern setting in the heart of Altrincham town centre. Trafford Council has been working closely with Bruntwood to develop this new offer and we are delighted with the results.”
