Bowmer+Kirkland tops out £70m MediaCityUK project
Glenbrook is developing the 17-storey High Definition for Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group.
Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has reached the highest point of the 280-apartment Salford scheme ahead of completion in November 2022.
High Definition, previously known as Broadway Square, is being constructed on a former surface car park at MediaCityUK.
Designed by Sheppard Robson, the 231,000 sq ft, two-building development ranges in height between 14 and 17 storeys.
The £70m proposal received detailed planning consent in February 2020 and will provide 132 one-bedroom, 136 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom apartments.
Latimer will offer 100 homes for sale on a shared ownership basis, with the remainder being for private sale.
The project is one of a growing number for Clarion in Manchester as it aims to step in to fill the city’s affordable housing void.
The project team for High Definition includes NJL Consulting as the planner, Abacus as the employer’s agent, SGI as structural engineer, Ridge as M&E consultant, and fund monitoring by AA Projects.
Liam Gordon, project manager at Glenbrook, said: “The development is coming forward at a time when people are seeing the true value of living in a community environment and one that is near to green and blue spaces with access to excellent leisure and cultural facilities.
“MediaCityUK offers the full package and we look forward to working with our partners to reach completion in November 2022.”
Richard Cook, group director of development for Latimer, said: “Our commitment to supporting people in achieving home ownership continues and we are delighted at the progress made by the entire team which will see 100 affordable homes available in this location.”
Elsewhere at MediaCityUK, Peel Holdings has consent for six buildings comprising more than 1,000 homes and around 475,000 sq ft of offices.
It’s a bit of a disappointing scheme for the area. Would have been great to have seen some taller buildings with balconies for the occupiers of the flats, with more space for bars and shops at ground level.
By Matt
One of the better developers in the NW. They quietly go about their business but deliver a lot.
By Derek
It’s affordable housing, if occupiers want luxury items such as balconies or bars then they can pay for those at other developments. People like to complain about the lack of social or affordable housing and then proceed to complain about the affordable schemes that are built. Who is going to pay for the luxury items?
By Big Dub
A balcony is NOT a luxury item, it’s a basic amenity that supports the quality of life of the flats’ occupants. Most high rise social hosing from the 60s onwards recognised this and include balconies and terrraces as standard. London has successfully clamped down on developers putting forward poor quality housing without private outside space through their design standards. Here in the north west, local planning authorities are still reluctant to challenge poor quality design for fear of deterring investment. This has to stop. Nobody believes that inclusion of these features would inflate build costs to the extent of making it unviable.
By Balcony watch
Balcony Watch, please can you set out what financial contributions you’ve made over the years to the affordable housing problem? Everyone very quick to criticise others, not so ready to actually contribute anything themselves.
By Derek