A £2.5bn transformation of one part of Salford has moved a step closer. Groundbreaking plans, the first part of a wider project that will change the face of Salford Crescent forever, have been unveiled.
It includes plans for 933 new homes, 1.4m sq ft of new commercial innovation floorspace, 71,000 square feet of learning facilities, a 'movement hub' with 800 parking spaces and 25,000 sq ft of space earmarked for cafes, shops, drinking establishments and a gym.All buildings within the site, which is being dubbed Crescent Innovation North, would be demolished except for Innovation House, which would be refurbished, and replaced with new builds up to 11-storeys high.
Work has already been completed at three world-leading university facilities – the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering, and Environment building, and Energy House 2.0. Julian Stott, development director at ECF, said: “The vision for Crescent is unique and we’re working hard for the people of Salford to turn that vision into reality.
Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, Professor Helen Marshall, commented: “This is another exciting step in bringing greater prosperity to our pioneering city, through innovation and applied research.