Plans for a new ‘co-living’ tower in Salford with its own gym, cinema, and sky bar are set to be approved this week.
The proposed development, on Gorton Street in the city’s Greengate area, includes 568 studio apartments within a 42-storey complex, along with a cafe and co-working space, spa and yoga areas, a podcast room, and an outdoor terrace on level 37.
Bosses behind the scheme at PL North Bridge say the model is based on existing co-living developments in ‘high demand’ cities such as New York and Berlin.
The concept aims to recreate house-share living for hundreds of residents all in one place, offering various forms of amenities within the building.
Plans submitted to Salford City Council state that the studio homes will each have a living room-come-kitchen and dining area, separated from the bed space by a partition wall, and a separate toilet and shower room.
The apartments are set to be between 21 and 32 square metres in size.
No affordable housing is included in the scheme due to ‘significant build costs,’ but the applicant has agreed to make a £400,000 payment to the council to be used for open space and outdoor projects.
A design and access report stated:”Co-living also seeks to offer privacy within a communal setting with a variety of social spaces which often encourage an active social programme and the building of a community amongst residents.
“It is anticipated that the accommodation would be attractive to those who might otherwise live in house shares / houses in multiple occupation and alongside shared amenities, is typically all-inclusive of bills and provides greater flexibility than a standard residential tenancy agreement.’
The proposed development site is currently a disused car park next to the city’s railway arches, three of which could be revamped into a new space with a microbrewery, shops, and an art gallery as part of a separate planning application.
If the plans for Gorton Street are approved, it will add to the huge regeneration work taking place in the Greengate area, which Salford council chiefs say should make the city ‘more Brooklyn than Manhattan’ and will create a ‘a successful and vibrant community.’
The proposed co-living tower will be presented to Salford council’s planning panel on September 5.
Council officers have recommended that the scheme be approved.
