Salix completes £7.5m revamp
The Salford housing association has finished refurbishing the 23-storey Fitzwarren Court in Pendleton, a building previously earmarked for demolition.
Plans to bring own the high-rise building advanced as part of a plan to regenerate the area, but were halted in 2016 when Salix Homes secured funding to modernise the 1970s-built block.
Salix has worked with partner contractor Casey on the programme and AEW Architects was the architect. As part of the works, Fitzwarren Court’s exterior has been completely rendered and a sprinkler system and fire alarm system installed as part of the landlord’s safety enhancement programme across all its high-rise blocks.
The building’s former blue and green façade being replaced with a grey, green and orange render, chosen by residents, while new kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows have been fitted at all 135 apartments, along with a new apartment conversion added to the ground floor.
The communal areas, lobby and grounds have all been upgraded and a digital property intercom system has been installed enabling residents to contact Salix Homes via a portal to book repairs – the first of Salix Homes’ tower blocks to use this technology.
Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “For many years, residents at Fitzwarren Court have been in limbo about the future of their homes, so we’re delighted that our ambitious improvement and modernisation scheme is now complete.”
A geothermal heating system has also been installed under the car park, which has improved the thermal efficiency of the building and reduced residents’ fuel bills, Salix said.
