Salix starts £8m Salford tower block refurbishment

Working with contractor Casey Group, housing association Salix has started a £7.5m project to refurbish the 23-storey Fitzwarren Court in Pendleton, an apartment block once earmarked for demolition.

The block was scheduled for demolition under a £120m regeneration plan for the area mooted in 2016, but this was halted the same year when the housing association secured funds to modernise the block.

Under the plans, the 1970s block of 135 one and two-bed apartments will be fitted with new bathrooms, kitchens, windows, and doors, and will also receive an upgraded heating system. Works also include the installation of a sprinkler system and a fire alarm system.

Externally, the blue-and-green cladding will be done away with and replaced with grey, green, and orange. Along with the apartment block, 10 terraced houses on the neighbouring Rosehill Close will also be upgraded.

The project is now on site and it is set to complete in summer 2020.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Residents at Fitzwarren Court and Rosehill Close have been in limbo for several years with a question mark over the future of their homes, so we are delighted to announce that our major improvement and modernisation scheme is now finally underway.

“This is an exciting development for Salix Homes and our residents, and we are confident that this long-awaited refurbishment programme will not only benefit the residents who live here, but it will also compliment the wider regeneration taking place across Pendleton.

“This scheme represents a significant investment for Salix Homes and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring this iconic tower block stands proud on the Salford skyline for years to come, providing much-needed safe, modern and energy efficient homes for our residents.”

Contractor Casey Group is already working with Salix to deliver a refurbishment of Albion Towers, also in Salford, which will complete in early 2019.