First phase of £2.5bn Salford masterplan comes forward 

A 1.7m sq ft innovation district and 933 homes make up the 29-acre initial element of the Salford Crescent regeneration zone. 

Located strategically close to Salford University, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, and MediaCity, Crescent Innovation North has the potential to deliver a “distinctive and nationally competitive innovation district”, according to the English Cities Fund, which is leading the project. 

“The vision for Crescent is unique and we’re working hard for the people of Salford to turn that vision into reality,” said Julian Stott, development director at ECF. 

“People make place and Crescent Innovation North, as an important stage of major regeneration, will connect communities across the city to opportunities to enable them to thrive and prosper.” 

With construction expected to begin towards the end of 2023 and last for 10 years, ECF hopes to deliver the following elements between Broughton Road East and University Road across buildings reaching up to 11 storeys:   

• 1.4m sq ft of commercial innovation floorspace  
• 933 homes  
• 71,000 sq ft of learning facilities,  
• A 260,000 sq ft multistorey movement hub with 800 parking spaces 
• 25,000 sq ft of space earmarked for cafes, shops, drinking establishments and a gym. 

All buildings within the site, dubbed Crescent Innovation North, would be demolished except for Innovation House, which would be refurbished. 

ECF has submitted an application for the scheme to Salford City Council. To learn more, search for reference number 23/81238/OUTEIA on the city council’s planning portal. 

CBRE is advising ECF on planning and Make Architects is leading on design. 

A key infrastructure element of the Innovation Zone is Salford Rise – a near five-acre podium to be constructed over Frederick Road to unlock development potential within the 250-acre masterplan. 

Stott added: “Together with the community, the university and the city council, we’re forging ahead with our collective vision to create a robust and resilient Salford that’s seen on a global stage as a leader of innovation, collaboration and place-making.” 

Crescent Innovation North will build on the recent delivery of three innovation facilities: the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering and Environment building and Energy House 2.0. 

Crescent Innovation North is part of ECF’s wider £2.5bn Salford Crescent masterplan, which covers 240 acres in the city. The masterplan includes proposals to build 2.4m sq ft of research and industry space, a 165,000 sq ft hotel, 145,000 sq ft of retail and more than 2,650 homes.  

Project lead ECF is a strategic joint venture between Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England. The partnership was set up in 2001 and was recently selected to deliver the next phase of Stockport’s regeneration. 

The professional team for the 252-acre Salford Crescent masterplan also includes infrastructure firm Aecom, landscape architects Planit-IE, quantity surveyor and project manager Faithful + Gould, and consultancy Cundall.    

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “With our Crescent partners – the English Cities Fund and the University of Salford – we are pushing ahead with our vision to create world-class research and development facilities that local people and businesses can benefit from.  

“The Crescent Innovation North proposals are a key element of the wider vision for the Crescent area and will change the face of the area through the creation of a high-quality innovation environment, where people can achieve their full potential.”