Sheffield City Council has announced that Urban Splash is the preferred developer for the restoration of the iconic Cole Brothers department store. This much-loved Grade II Listed building, which was recently occupied by John Lewis, bears all the hallmarks of an Urban Splash scheme, and we are delighted to have been entrusted with its regeneration. We’ll now work with the Council and architects AHMM to evolve initial designs, building on our track record in Sheffield where we’ve already transformed large parts of Park Hill.

The Urban Splash Residential Fund has completed a £20m deal with Barclays. The Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) is the fund’s first deal with a major high street lender and will help USR in growing its portfolio of design-led and affordable rental homes in places like Manchester, Altrincham, Birmingham, Sheffield and Cambridge.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has unveiled its list of national award winners – and Brick House at Port Loop in Birmingham is on the list! A development of mews homes, Brick House was designed by Howells Architects, with judges noting the “ambitious” approach, adding “its designs have the potential to transform the way in which we live and interact with our neighbours. It is a bold typology of housing that can act as a test bed for future housing schemes.”

As we continue to celebrate 30 years of Urban Splash, we’ve invited more of our collaborators to tell their stories. This month it was the turn of Places for People – with whom we’ve partnered since 2014, creating hundreds of new homes in thriving communities. Director Sammie Steele reflected on our relationship in this article, saying: “It’s essential that anyone we collaborate with shares our vision, with a strong desire to improve the lives of others… Urban Splash has done that, demonstrating that its work aligns with our values.”

Come join our Urban Splash team. We’re on the hunt for new colleagues including – an Executive Assistant who can help keep our board in check! The successful candidate will be an exceptionally organised individual, ready to support our shareholder directors and the executive team. We’re also on the lookout for a Financial Controller to support our growing Urban Splash Residential Fund. Read more about the roles – and the benefits that come with working at Urban Splash – on the link below.

The Manchester International Festival (also chaired by our own Tom Bloxham MBE) is live, with a programme of immersive art events taking place across the city all this month. Highlights include You, Me and the balloons, by Yayoi Kusama, celebrating three decades of the pioneering Japanese artist's inflatable artworks. There’s also a mixed-reality concert by legendary musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, and the return of actress Maxine Peake as she performs an after-hours reading of They.

The Chancel is a character-filled former church in the cool Manchester suburb of Prestwich. This two-bedroom apartment still bears many of the church’s original features – think stained-glass windows – as well as private parking and residents’ areas. To top it off, the town’s cocktail bars and pizza restaurants are only a few minutes’ stroll away. Apartment 10 is available to rent now.

Melville is the striking centrepiece of Royal William Yard, nestled in the heart of Plymouth. This is an award-winning waterside destination, with leading restaurants, bars, galleries, shops and boutique hotel rooms. Melville brings a new range of workspaces to the area, including Unit G13B, which offers 1,453 sq ft of space in a prominent location with views over our marina.

“In the past year, the fund has expanded its portfolio by more than 30%, acquiring 80 homes in Manchester and beyond"
Place North West on the recent Urban Splash Residential Fund deal with Barclays, June 2023

“Each screen can hold about 100 people, sitting on sofas, one to three seaters, where they will be able to eat while watching a movie”
Plymouth Herald on Everyman Cinema opening at Royal William Yard, June 2023

“The striking red brick draws inspiration from the surrounding terraces that characterise Birmingham’s residential landscape”
The RIBA Journal on Brick House at Port Loop, May 2023

Be first in the queue! Get the latest and freshest news on property development, place-making, housing, architecture, events and careers straight to your inbox.