Salford Council has granted approval for the city’s inaugural co-living scheme, comprising 568 self-contained studio apartments, at Gorton Street. The development, named Enclave Salford, is spearheaded by Progressive Living Developments.
The Enclave Salford project, designed by BDP, is located within the Greengate Regeneration Area. It includes a variety of amenities such as residents’ lounges, a cinema room, games room, makers’ space, communal cooking and dining areas, a gym and wellness centre, and co-working spaces alongside meeting rooms. This comprehensive array of communal areas is intended to foster a vibrant new community.
Set across 42 floors, the development offers units ranging from 226 sq ft to 376 sq ft. Additionally, 26,500 sq ft is allocated for communal spaces designed to support and cultivate community spirit. The current site, a 0.42-acre area presently used as a car park, is surrounded by existing residential properties, the River Irwell, and railway arches. Progressive Living Developments plans to transform these arches into facilities for food and drink or lifestyle businesses in the future.
Externally, the building is formed from two rectilinear towers – one reaching 42 floors and the other 39. The façade features three-storey modular glazing with a grid detail in light bronze and natural silver, differentiating the towers while complementing the traditional stone and brickwork seen in Salford and Manchester. The property aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification.
High-quality public realm improvements are also part of the planning application, designed to enhance pedestrian and cycle access to the existing riverside walkway and the proposed Greengate Park. David Fairclough, director at Progressive Living Developments, emphasised the project’s alignment with Salford’s broader regeneration strategy for Greengate, providing a more affordable accommodation option for young professionals seeking city centre living. “Building sustainable communities is key for us, and this carefully considered complex will ensure that residents have access to an array of communal spaces that will enable them to connect with others, and support their wellbeing,” he said.
Architect director at BDP, Mike Hitchmough, remarked on the development’s significance to the area’s ongoing transformation, characterising it as an exemplar of modern city living and mixed-use development. David Diggle, Senior Director for Planning at Turley, added that co-living is an evolving housing model addressing changing residential habits. He believes this type of housing will enhance Salford’s residential offerings, providing necessary diversity and appeal in this dynamic city.
The project team for Enclave Salford includes BDP, Renaissance, Novo, Zerum, OFR, Turley, Eddisons, Exterior Architecture, Hydrock, Hann Tucker, and ERAP.
The approval of Enclave Salford marks a significant step in the ongoing development and regeneration within the Greengate area. This innovative co-living model not only provides modern accommodation but also aims to foster a strong sense of community among residents.