Agents appointed to sell ‘nationally significant’ Salford Quays resi site

Frogmore is looking for a buyer for Cotton Quay, a site earmarked for 1,500 homes that the developer has previously described as “the best” in Salford.

CBRE and Vandermolen Real Estate have been instructed to sell the eight-acre Cotton Quay on Salford’s waterfront.

Kieran McLaughlin, senior director and head of residential land North at CBRE, said: ““Cotton Quay is a truly exceptional opportunity to deliver a landmark waterfront community in one of the UK’s most dynamic and well-connected urban locations.

“With its scale, and proximity to major employment and cultural hubs, it offers developers the chance to deliver a new truly iconic development of national significance.”

Jonathan Vandermolen, chief executive of Vandermolen Real Estate, added: “Cotton Quay represents an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of waterfront living in the UK.

“Its scale, prime location, and dynamic vision for mixed-use development makes it one of the most exciting projects on the market today. We look forward to engaging with developers and sharing our expertise to assist with a smooth outcome and maximise the value of this super prime opportunity.”

While Frogmore’s site has planning permission for just shy of 1,500 apartments, there have been “positive pre-app discussions” relating to a denser scheme featuring more than 2,200 units, according to CBRE.

The site is located across the water from the Old Trafford regeneration area, within which a £2bn new stadium for Manchester United and around 17,000 homes are planned.

The decision to sell signals a change of heart from Frogmore since 2023 when development surveyor George Edwards said: “We are keen to get it delivered. We think it is the best site in Salford.”

In March 2020, Salford City Council granted hybrid planning consent from Frogmore and partner Royalton for the redevelopment of an eight-acre site next to Ontario Basin and dissected by Waterfront Quay.

The full element of the consent was for 490 homes, 25,000 sq ft of commercial or retail space, a hotel, and a multi-storey car park with a rooftop play area including a climbing wall.

Outline permission was granted for a further 1,000 homes, a second hotel, and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space. Cotton Quay also features plans for a Lido, to be created within St Francis Basin.

Following planning approval, and completion of the Section 106 agreement more than a year later, Frogmore’s ability to get to work was hampered by ongoing market volatility.

Cotton Quay is designed by architects Studio Egret West, Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, and Studio Partington. Lichfields is the planner and Arcadis is the QS on the project.

Frogmore acquired the site from TH Real Estate for an undisclosed sum in 2018.