The 24-storey development off Worrall Street was designed for developer and shared living operator, Re:shape, with Stantec as planning consultants. The scheme, on the banks of the River Irwell in Ordsall, prioritises housing for local people and key workers, has received backing from Salford City Council.
The building will deliver 386 new co-living homes, of which 20 per cent will be affordable, priced at a 20 per cent discount market rent. The scheme is shaped to deliver light-filled communal amenity spaces with views over the River Irwell, while also creating a new public realm and accessible route designed by Planit, connecting Worrall Street to the riverside path and providing space to dwell and enjoy the riverside setting.
The sustainable location of the car-free development promotes active travel, with riverside walking and cycling routes to Manchester city centre and Salford Quays. The plans will transform a currently under-used brownfield site into a thriving new river-facing community rapidly transforming the Ordsall riverside district.
Environmental performance is integral to the architectural logic. The linear orientation supports improved solar gain and daylighting, while expanded soft landscape mitigates hard river edges and enhances biodiversity (264 per cent net gain). In a flood-sensitive context, the project balances vertical living with climate responsiveness and long-term stewardship.
Ben Tabiner, Buttress director, said:
“This co-living scheme provides an innovative type of accommodation, which helps diversify the housing offer open to local Salford residents and significantly contributes to the on-going regeneration of former industrial land in Ordsall.”
Buttress Associate Seb Drayson added:
“The design seeks to provide a landmark building which provides connectivity from Ordsall to the riverside. Spaces for residents to work, socialise and play have been carefully positioned to enhance the collective living experience and create a strong visual relationship with the water. The building’s exterior and surrounding landscape draw inspiration from the site’s industrial heritage, referencing the corduroy manufacturing that once took place along this historic wharfside.”
Jermaine Browne, co-founder of Re:shape, said:
“Housing is about dignity, belonging, and fairness. Over the last 24 months, Re:shape has worked very closely with planning officers and engaged openly with the local community. The scheme has evolved and been designed through a community led placemaking approach throughout to ensure it will have a genuine positive and localised impact in Ordsall.
“For us, co-living is about creating a sense of belonging for our residents, maximising opportunities for human connection, and by extension combating loneliness. This is why we are not only passionate about the need for community housing in our cities, but the importance of ensuring that local existing communities can join us in our buildings.”
