The site seeks to establish a new community that’s focused on bringing research and business together. Key aspects of Make’s strategy include establishing a multi-disciplinary research and education building, the Collision Building, with a strategic innovation space partnership curating and supporting the first occupiers. By opening up the ground floors of new buildings for amenity use and providing events that are available for the whole community, the masterplan also allows for collaboration to extend beyond commercial occupiers. The site breaks down physical barriers between the wider community and the campus, creating an integrated mixed-use neighbourhood.
Project architect Oliver Hall said: “The project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new high-quality innovation ecosystem around the university. Crescent Innovation North is intended to provide versatile, scalable space for innovative businesses across a wider range of sector specialisms, focusing on applied innovation. The inclusion of significant residential space woven through the site, as a well as retail and food and beverage, will ensure a vibrant destination that’s an extension of both the local community and the university.”
In partnership with the English Cities Fund, Make is leading the ongoing evolution of Crescent Salford as both masterplan architect and design guardian for all future development on the site. Crescent Innovation North’s planning approval follows the previous consent for Make’s Salford Rise, a key piece of pedestrian infrastructure that runs through Crescent Innovation North, which received planning in 2022.
