Sun, sea, sand,
Salford?? |
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London architect wins international competition to transform an edge of the city |
Salford - Manchester’s sister city and an internationally recognised
site of urban regeneration. It has the acclaimed Lowry Museum and
Art Gallery, the Imperial War Museum and the five-star Lowry
Hotel... and a beach!
Soon Salford may have its very own golden sands but bathers
could be paddling in the River Irwell, not the Mediterranean!
A competition organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects
on behalf of Urban Splash and Salford City Council, called for
proposals to transform a derelict piece of land into a new waterfront
community. The four-acre site in Greengate, close to Manchester city
centre, inspired 76 entries from 19 countries. Nine proposals,
complete with homes, bars and shops, were short-listed by judges.
A Manhattan inspired entry by the London-based firm Rijke Marsh
Morgan included a beach and the construction of an island in the
River Irwell. Bridges would then be built over the water to reach
homes built on the new island des-res.
Maccreanor Lavington, another London firm, was also inspired by
the mini-Manhattan idea. They proposed to form an island by
creating a new channel of water off the Irwell that would totally
transform the character of the area.
A scheme by the Austrian firm Share Architects was also shortlisted.
‘Water Meadow’ would involve creating grass-covered hills,
under which cars would be parked, and terraced style streets, while
the traditional British beach hut would get a 21st century makeover
by Peter Barber Architects of London, with cabins built on stilts in front
of low rise, high density homes.
Other ideas included building a podium of shops and bars with
ultra-modern apartments on top.But as with all competitions, there could be only one winner.
London-based Weston Williamson’s winning vision includes four blocks of
apartments providing up to 400 homes, each with a view of the river, huge private gardens for
residents, underground parking and steps down to
a riverside beach. Steve Humphreys, a director of the firm, said: “It’s
a unique site. When we visited there was a solitary fisherman in
waders and it was so tranquil, yet it’s very close to Manchester city
centre. Our ideas include bringing in rocks and even sand, creating
a beach, with the focus of our design being the River Irwell.”
Weston Williamson were chosen by the judges, which included
Walter Menteth, RIBA Assessor, Tom Bloxham MBE, Chairman of
Urban Splash and Councillor John Merry, leader of Salford City
Council, because the proposal has the potential to transform what is
a difficult site into a very special place in the city.
“Weston Williamson demonstrated a very thoughtful and intelligent
response to the site”, said Patrick Sheridan, development manager at
Urban Splash. “The open spaces, the landscaped gardens, the use
of the riverside and carefully placed buildings on the boundaries of
the site, are the makings of what will become a fantastic place to
live, work and play.”
The development, which is expected to be completed within six
years, is being driven by Urban Splash. They bought the land from
Salford City Council last year who have already spent cash
improving the areas housing stock including the upgrade of several
tower blocks. But parts of the district are still blighted by derelict
wasteland and this development will mark a new era for the area
providing further evidence that the building boom prevalent in
Manchester city centre is spreading to Salford.
Urban Splash, renowned for its regeneration experience and
innovative flair, is responsible for some of Manchester’s most exciting
urban regeneration projects. Established in 1993 by Tom Bloxham
and Jonathan Falkingham, they were the first developers in the country to identify that
many under-used historic buildings and Brownfield sites could be transformed
into new mixed-use spaces, acting as a catalyst to urban regeneration.
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The company’s Boxworks development alongside other new developments such as No
1 Deansgate and The Hacienda Apartments, is proof that Manchester’s streets are paved with
gold. But this wealth is slowly spreading to Salford and the developers are following.
Urban Splash is already committed to breathing new life into the Langworthy area of
Salford which involves the transformation of 400 terraced houses into ‘upside down’ modern
townhouses, with bedrooms on the ground floor and living rooms on the first floor. This
development alongside the Greengate project will fuel the continuing
regeneration of a city which has long stood in the shadows of its twin
Manchester.
And what beach would be complete without a pier? Artist Craig
Need has proposed a gritty design for an industrial pier. But it will
be a pier with a difference and a far cry from Blackpool and
Wigan’s historical landmarks. There will be no theatre or amusement
arcades at the end, and it will be over dry land. Craig was one of
20 artists invited to create a piece of work for the grounds of a new
£12M building in Frederick Road, Salford. It will house the
headquarters of Salford Innovation Park, part of Salford University,
which supports and nurtures bright ideas by working with businesses
and schools.
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These developments are just part of a wider strategy to breathe
new life into Salford’s poorest areas. Salford has an international
reputation for successful regeneration including the transformation of
Salford Quays. Some 30 years ago the Quays were dying - a postindustrial
wilderness with polluted waters. Now the Quays are
thriving and boast the internationally acclaimed Lowry Museum and
Art Gallery and the Imperial War Museum.
Perhaps the most inspiring is the regeneration of the Chapel Street
Corridor, the historic core of Salford and the main gateway into the
centre of Manchester. The loss of traditional industries and the closure
of facilities such as Salford Royal Hospital led to a decline in
employment opportunities and damage to the appearance of the
Corridor.
Chapel Street is now in the middle of a makeover. Old buildings
are being refurbished and new uses found for them. The great
location means the Corridor has the potential to become a second
vibrant area in Salford after the Quays especially with key
developments such as the five-star Lowry Hotel and the
redevelopment of old buildings into prestigious apartments.
But it could be 20 years until the transformation of Salford is
complete. Better roads, thousands of affordable homes and new
leisure and shopping facilities are all in the pipeline. Potential for the
area is truly evident with the inspiring transformations of the edges of
Salford and will no doubt spur the regeneration of a city which was
once greater than Manchester.
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