Greengate - historic core of Salford
Urban Cove + iconic bridge + Greengate Square
Exchange Greengate mixed-use development: Hamiltons Architects
Exchange Greengate public realm: Fielden Clegg Bradley

Press Release 25 Jan 2008
Communities Secretary welcomes green light for public space, jobs and homes at Exchange Greengate

Communities Secretary and Salford MP, Hazel Blears, has welcomed the news that national regeneration agency English Partnerships has put in place the final element for a visionary 13- hectare scheme that will provide a new urban quarter linking the cities of Salford and Manchester.



She said: “The partners are unlocking a vital connection between the two cities and helping to extend the economic success of Manchester city centre into Salford.”

The announcement of an £8.5 million funding package from English Partnerships gives a green light to the scheme that will create stunning public spaces, 4,000 jobs and 2,500 new homes.

Exchange Greengate will link Salford and Manchester through a new public square, river walkway and connecting bridge. Expected to attract over £600m of private sector investment, it will be a new, vibrant, mixed-use development, just minutes from Victoria Station and the commercial heart of Manchester, bounded by the River Irwell, Chapel Street, Blackfriars Road and Trinity Way.

The development, which secured planning permission in June 2007, is being led by a partnership between Central Salford URC, Salford City Council, English Partnerships, Network Rail and ASK Developments.



The public space elements of the scheme will see the creation of a new visitor destination characterised by green spaces, attractive watersides, pedestrian-friendly walkways, water features, a public square and a new bridge across the River Irwell. A key feature will be the recreation of the medieval market place reflecting the historic importance of the site as a centre of trade and commerce. Exceptional design quality and high standards of sustainability will be integral to the approach.

Paul Spooner, Regional Director, English Partnerships said, “Exchange Greengate is a fantastic development. Our funding is critical to unlocking the regeneration potential of the area and in reconnecting Salford and Manchester through a vibrant public space area. One of English Partnerships’ key aims is to achieve high-quality, well-designed, sustainable places for people to live, work and enjoy and Greengate certainly hits the mark.”

Chief Executive of Central Salford URC, Chris Farrow, outlined the importance of this funding. “The £8.5 million from English Partnerships is critical to the transformation of Central Salford. Exchange Greengate is an integral part of the Regional Centre and will become a high quality, thriving destination for visitors, residents and businesses. It will also have wider impacts, opening the doorway to the revival of Chapel Street and the re-birth of the River Irwell as a waterside public corridor linking Manchester to Salford.”
Councillor Derek Antrobus, Salford City Council’s lead member for planning said: "This scheme is vital to the continuing regeneration of Salford. Greengate is an extremely significant part of our vision for the city. We’re committed to investing in and improving open spaces in the city, especially green space, and we’re confident that the public realms at Greengate will be an attraction for current and future residents of Salford.”
John Hughes, Development Director, Ask Developments said: “Improving the public spaces at Greengate will make a massive difference to the area. Green, open spaces, public art and water features all go towards creating a beautiful and vibrant place to be – an environment that will complement our developments and create a successful and popular destination.”

Exchange Greengate will see the transformation of 13 acres of predominantly underused, brownfield land into over 2,500 residential units and over 85,000 sq m of commercial floor space creating around 4,000 new jobs.



Salford building photos


Salford building : Adelphi Street tower by SMC Alsop Architects


Exchange Greengate public realm: Fielden Clegg Bradley

The funding from English Partnerships will make the public realm proposals possible and is essential in terms of bringing forward the wider regeneration of the area. The masterplan proposes three district public realm areas - Greengate Square, Greengate Link and the Urban Cove.



The Urban Cove will bring the River Irwell back to life, an iconic bridge will link the two cities of Manchester and Salford and stunning water features will attract people down to new public space. The Greengate Link will be a new pedestrian route under the existing viaduct. Lined with water features, light installations and public art, it will be the perfect place for an urban stroll. Greengate Square will be the green heart of the area. Surrounded by semi-mature trees, a central lawn and granite terraces, the Square will re-establish Salford’s ancient market square with two timber monuments marking the site of the historic cross and exchange and celebrating Salford’s heritage.

Greengate is the original historic core of Salford. In the mid 1800s it was home to two thirds of the city’s population. The development of the Greengate site represents the recreation of the historic centre of Salford as a twin partner to Manchester. The Exchange Greengate development is expected to take 10 – 15 years to complete.

English Partnerships is the government’s national regeneration agency delivering high quality, sustainable growth in England. We do this by developing our portfolio of strategic projects and acting as the government’s advisor on brownfield land. We also ensure that surplus public sector assets are used to support wider government objectives. English Partnerships helps create communities where people can afford to live and want to live. Information on projects and programmes can be found at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk

English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation are working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed Homes and Communities Agency.

Exchange Greengate images / text from Creative Concern, Manchester, 250108

Exchange Greengate development : Hamiltons Architects

Canopus Greengate - two towers
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Arca Architects
Mixed-use Salford development for the BSC Group
46 ; 30 storeys high + 8 storey 5-star hotel + apart-hotel block

Salford Quays

building photo © adrian welch

Salford Quays building - Lowry Centre

photo © adrian welch

Salford Quays building - Imperial War Museum North

photo © adrian welch

Salford Quays images available upon request: photos 1280x1024 pixels, 72dpi

mediacity:uk - masterplan, Salford Quays

Salford development

Proposed Tower
HKR Architects
Salford building



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Manchester United building

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Manchester Architecture

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Exchange Greengate Salford Building - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt