Kier breaks ground on £54m Salford health building

A 60,000 sq ft campus for some of the 8,400 students enrolled on health courses at the University of Salford is due for completion in October 2026.

Kier Construction has broken ground on the £54m project, which received planning approval last year.

Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction.

She described the scheme, which is fully electric and features a roof terrace, as “iconic for a number of reasons”.

“Firstly, the architecture is going to be something we’ve never seen before in Salford, it will be an eco-friendly building that harnesses the power of nature and creates a space of wellbeing for staff and students.

“But what’s also important is its connection to the community; it will be about making sure the university of Salford is for the people of Salford.”

The project will be constructed on a former surface car park next to the Mary Seacole building on the university’s main campus. It was designed by AHR Architects and will feature clinical-grade facilities that emulate NHS settings.

AHR Architects is leading on design. Credit: via University of Salford

Interim dean of the School of Health and Society Vicky Halliwell said the building would act as “a very visible reminder that the university is here not only to educate future health and wellbeing professionals – but also to help enrich the lives of the people of Salford who will be invited in to access health and wellness services and clinics run by our partners.”

The site is a key part of the university’s Campus Connectivity Plan, which aims to redevelop many of its research, teaching, and public spaces.

The CCP is separate to but complimentary to the Crescent Salford masterplan – a £2.5bn project to regenerate the area around the university being delivered in partnership with the city council and ECF.

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, added:  “It is really pleasing to see more investment, opportunity and innovation being realised for students and residents.

“This promises to be yet another impressive addition to the city’s skyline and a further example of a commitment to low-carbon construction right here in Salford. It’s great that this new building will also complement the wider Crescent Salford masterplan that we’re delivering in partnership with the University and ECF. ”

Sarah Morton, regional director of Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are looking forward to working with the University of Salford on this significant project. With our extensive experience in the education, healthcare, and science and technology sectors, we are eager to leverage our expertise to create a cutting-edge facility that will serve the needs of students, staff and the wider community for many years to come.”