Starlight’s 34-storey Spectra tops out in Salford

Main contractor Vermont Construction has hit the highest point on the project, which is being delivered by X1 on the Canadian asset manager’s behalf.

Spectra is part of X1’s Michigan Towers project in Salford, which, when finished, will comprise more than 1,300 homes by the Broadway Metrolink stop.

Spectra is owned by Starlight Investments and is due to complete towards the end of this year.

When finished, the rose-gold Spectra will boast 393 homes ranging from studios to one-, two-, and three-bed apartments. There are also townhouses as part of the designs by planning architect Jeffrey Bell + Co and delivery architect Falconer Chester Hall. Residents will have access to a variety of amenities including coworking areas, a fitness studio, a private dining room, and a media and games room.

Jonnie Milich, head of UK residential at Starlight, described the topping out as “a proud moment” for his team.

“This development represents our continued investment in Greater Manchester’s growing rental market and commitment to creating a best-in-class residential community for future residents,” he said. “We thank our partners and teams for their dedication in bringing this vision to life.”

X1 chief executive Nick Sweeney added: “Working alongside Starlight Investments, we are incredibly proud to be delivering a well-designed, amenity-rich build-to-rent community that will contribute positively to the region’s housing landscape and long-term growth.”

Spectra is just one of Starlight Investment’s projects in Greater Manchester. The Canadian investor is also behind Renaker’s 60-storey Trinity Heights skyscraper, which topped out earlier this week. Starlight counts more than 7m sq ft of commercial property and more than 70,000 multi-residential suites in its portfolio, managing assets worth around CAD $30bn.