Linear’s 149 Old Trafford flats on track for 2025 handover

Now known as Trafford Gardens, the formerly stalled scheme off Talbot Road has now topped out, with completion set for next autumn.

Trafford Gardens had been the brainchild of Investar, which had christened the scheme Botanical Gardens. However, Investar’s SPV for the project collapsed in December 2022 – leading main contractor Linear Design & Construct to cease work.

The contractor’s sister company, developer Linear Living, acquired the brownfield site the following October. Work restarted as Maslow Capital came on board, providing a £18m loan to get the project over the finish line. Money was also provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Land Fund.

“The last 12 months have seen great progress made at Trafford Gardens and we are really pleased to have reached this critical milestone,” said Stephen Holmes, chief executive of Linear Group – the parent company to both Linear Living and Linear Design & Construct.

Holmes continued: “I have to say a big thanks to our Linear Design and Construct team who have worked hard to keep the development on track and get us to this point.

“And thanks to our funding partners Maslow Capital, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and their Brownfield Land Fund, for making this possible. We are all looking forward to next year when we will see the project completed and people enjoying these fabulous new homes.”

When finished, Trafford Gardens will comprise a mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats across a 13-storey block. The development includes 3,450 sq ft of offices, a rooftop garden, and a private courtyard.

Trafford Gardens will be of interest to sports fans – it will overlook both Old Trafford cricket ground and Old Trafford football stadium.

Linear Design and Build’s Graham Martindale, Linear Group’s Stephen Holmes, GMCA’s Catherine Edwards, Maslow Capital’s Sky Mapson, and Linear Projects’ Dale Zahra posed for a photo at the scheme’s topping out ceremony. Credit: via Linear Group

Sky Mapson, director in the deal origination team at Maslow Capital, reflected on the project.

“Trafford Gardens is a fantastic, community-focused development that aligns well with the urban living projects we are proud to support,” Mapson said.

“We are thrilled it has reached this important milestone and look forward to seeing it welcome new residents next year, making a meaningful contribution to local housing demand.”

Of the 149 apartments being built, 33 are to be affordable. These will be owned and operated by Irwell Valley Homes.

The inclusion of affordable housing has been of special interest to Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, who doubles as GMCA’s lead for Housing First.

“It’s great to see the GMCA’s Brownfield Land Fund being effectively used to support developments in key investment areas like this, and I’m particularly pleased that the site will include 33 affordable homes,” he said.

“The progress Trafford Gardens has made is very positive and a really good example of brownfield land being brought back to life.  I look forward to the completion of this development and the growth of this community.”

Tim Groom Architects designed Trafford Gardens. Credit: via planning documents

Russell Bolton Consulting is the project manager for Trafford Gardens.

The company’s commercial development director, Ilyas Patel, said: “Trafford Gardens has utilised the breadth of our expertise and experience, from advising on the takeover from the previous owners, to helping secure funding, and then ensuring the project is delivered on schedule.”