Salboy closes in on 1,000-home Salford opportunity

The developer has agreed terms with Renault to acquire the firm’s four-acre dealership on the corner of Blackfriars and Trinity Way, Place North West understands.

Another developer, Hub Group, had been in pole position to buy the site but has walked away from the deal, sources told Place.

The acquisition of the Renault site, which has been on the radar of developers for several years, makes sense for Salboy given the firm’s history in the area. The developer has delivered several schemes within spitting distance from the plot, including Local Blackfriars and the 18-storey Fifty5ive, which are both within the inner ring road.

Salboy’s construction arm Domis is also on site delivering Obsidian, located immediately south of Local Blackfriars.

While located outside the inner ring road, the Renault site, which could feature up to 1,000 homes, is seen as one of the most attractive redevelopment opportunities in Salford as the city’s development boom expands the zone developers such as Salboy find attractive.

The plot has been used as a car dealership since the 1990s and is currently occupied by a 52,000 sq ft showroom and surface car parking.

Renault appointed Savills to find a buyer for the Salford site’s 218-year leasehold in 2023.

Feasibility work carried out by Jon Matthews Architects shows the site could accommodate buildings rising to 30 storeys fronting the junction with lower rise elements to the rear.

Salboy is also behind plans for a 76-storey tower in Manchester city centre. The building is the tallest ever proposed in the city.