Property briefs: Tower transformation; JLL shapes up & more

AN £11m scheme to upgrade five ageing Salford tower blocks is complete.

The four-year project to redevelop high rise living in the heart of the city has been carried out by social housing provider Salix Homes, which manages 8,500 properties in central Salford, alongside contractor Emanuel Whittaker.

A dramatic transformation of Greyfriar Court and Riverbank and Newbank Towers has been concluded, completing the final piece of the jigsaw of the tower block transformation in the Greengate area.

Improvement work at Whitefriar Court came to fruition last year and in the summer of 2013 the finishing touches were made to Blackfriar Court, transforming the blocks which were built in the 1960s.

In total, 447 flats have been refurbished and fitted with new kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows and heating systems.

Head of property services at Salix Homes, Mark Foster, said: “This significant investment in the Greengate area has totally transformed these five landmark buildings into vibrant, modern homes fit for the 21st century.

“These blocks form an iconic part of the Salford skyline and now they can stand proud for generations to come.”

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PROPERTY consultant JLL has been appointed to deliver a £3m redevelopment for Total Fitness Health Clubs.

The deal will see Manchester-based JLL project manage the refurbishment of the leisure chain’s health clubs across the north of England with FHP ESS acting as mechanical and electrical consultant and Fleming Smith Associates as structural engineer.

This follows JLL’s completion of an eight-month refurbishment project for10 of the company’s health clubs, which include the renovation of club swimming pools.

Based in Wilmslow, Total Fitness operates 17 health clubs across the north and has more than 530 employees and member in excess of 83,000.

JLL director of building consultancy Nick Currie said: “Total Fitness has made a significant investment in its health clubs to improve its offering to staff and customers.

“The redevelopment works will give it the platform to attract new membership and secure its position as one of the leading fitness groups in the north.”