28 November 2014
Construction and support services company McGoff & Byrne is to design, build and maintain a multi-million pound private rented sector (PRS) scheme in Salford, Greater Manchester.
The Downtown by Villafont is a fully serviced apartment scheme that will be maintained through McGoff & Byrne's FM division.
The project will provide a total mix of 383 apartments, ranging from one, two and three bedrooms. The philosophy of the scheme is to provide rented accommodation built on the highest possible levels of service and energy efficiency, resulting in lower running costs for occupants.
There will be 24-hour concierge as well as dry and cold storage rooms to enable supermarket deliveries at all times. The onsite business centre, media room, spa and gymnasium will also provide enhanced facilities for residents.
McGoff & Byrne says it is responding to government calls "to expedite the delivery of new-build housing for a new era of 'Generation Rent', where first-time buyers are increasingly becoming shut out of the home ownership market place and forced into accepting a lower standard of accommodation than they aspire to".
In turn, McGoff & Byrne says it aims to raise the bar in terms of quality and service offering within the rental sector. The single-landlord approach will improve service delivery for all residents and the economy of scale and one-stop shop approach will also create efficiencies, from not only in design concept, but also in continuing operation, where it is hoped that lower running costs of each home will be realised.
Dave McGoff, executive director at McGoff & Byrne, said: "There is a common misconception about the true nature of PRS, with many developers claiming that they are building such schemes in the city, but often these are just projects sold to tranches of buy-to-let investors with no real long-term focus on ongoing asset management and service provision. Inherently we have acquired the much-needed skill sets to deliver superior PRS projects over many years, expanding the group into different sectors, which now involves us designing, building, operating and asset managing our own development-led care home company."
There will be a strong focus on the external public areas, where outdoor kitchens and high-grade, low-maintenance garden areas would provide a unique experience for the riverside setting. The scheme includes a secure undercroft garage providing car parking and for cycles and storage.
The 0.72-hectare site is on the banks of River Irwell close to Salford City Council's multi-million pound holistic regeneration of Chapel Street. The site is also near Manchester's first ferry taxi service and the neighbouring footbridge provides a direct link into the historic Castlefield basin, Cornbrook Metrolink station and Manchester city centre beyond.