The new apartments will be built under Sigma Capital Group plc’s private rental brand Simple Life, in partnership with Countryside. The £40m project is a continuation of the area-wide Lower Broughton regeneration partnership between Salford City Council and Countryside.
The extensive regeneration programme has significantly improved the quality and choice of residential properties in the area, and has created a neighbourhood combining existing residents, as well as attracting those from outside the area. The location was selected due to the huge surge in employment activity in Salford, with many businesses choosing to relocate to the city – creating demand for quality homes.
With £500m worth of redevelopment, the area has been one of the largest and most challenging regeneration projects in the UK, with over 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and a full range of community facilities and services including shops, leisure, employment, education and training.
“The transformation of New Broughton over the last decade has been huge. By working alongside our partners, we’ve created a desirable neighbourhood through a mix of tenures and home types, which in turn has attracted further investment and resulted in the vibrant community we see today.
“We are delighted to be delivering new apartments in the area for Sigma Capital, its private rental model will contribute to the area’s popularity with those wanting the best of being close to the city centre, but with the benefits of Salford’s green space and local amenities.”
Gordon Innes, Managing Director, Partnerships Manchester & Cheshire East, Countryside
The Build to Rent project has been named Empyrean (and translates as the highest heaven), and is inspired by astronomer William Crabtree, who made the area his home in the 1600s. Located close to the River Irwell, the Empyrean site has been built on a pre-cast concrete deck to raise the blocks as flood protection. The scheme will provide a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom apartments built across 4.7 acres and divided between six blocks located either side of the existing Church of Ascension. Applications are due to be released later this year.
“We’re excited about this striking new development, which is located in the up-and-coming Broughton area, just a stone’s throw from Manchester’s Deansgate and Victoria train station. The site offers customers the privacy of their own space, with stunning views of the city skyline or Green Grosvenor Park, with the added bonus of being close to the bustle of Manchester and Salford city centre.
“The apartments are a great offering for people relocating to the city, they come fully furnished and have been designed for a variety of people including lone-occupiers, families or sharers, each having double sized rooms with their own bath or shower room and a large open plan kitchen, diner and living space.”
Matt Townson, Development Director, Sigma Capital Group plc
Simple Life is also committed to a number of wider initiatives, providing customers with branded shopping bags and reusable branded flasks to lower their carbon footprints. Simple Life properties also allow pets, and the Empyrean site will benefit from a number of car charging points and a communal outdoor garden space exclusive to residents, which will include benches and BBQ areas.
