Acala Quay

Cowen+Partners were appointed to reappropriate the outline consented scheme as a co-living or PBSA and build-to-rent asset as part of the wider Cotton Quay development site in Salford. The focus has been on looking at creating a considered solution in terms of operations, demographic and affordability.  Re-imagining a more viable path forward to enable the scheme to come to fruition.

We were able to improve the Net-to-gross efficiencies by 28% and re-appropriate the mix to maximise 1 beds. These are then proposed as two-dios which allows a co-living rental model to exist under a C3 use class. The operational strategies were addressed in detail due to the problematic ‘dual entrance’ strategy that was proposed at planning.

The design of the building from the street is a key aspect in promoting both the integrity and appeal of the building to potential residents, the customer. Our design explores the nature of the frontage to ensure the ‘first impression’ is of a high quality and engaging environment. We have carefully arranged the back of house spaces to minimise impact on the street and ensured that the primary frontages also address the pedestrian route to the eastern side of the scheme.