Delivering efficient living spaces in Manchester’s media hub
THE ASPIRATION
High-quality homes in a fast-growing creative quarter
MediaCityUK in Salford Quays has become one of the UK’s leading digital and creative hubs. Glenbrook was tasked with transforming a disused car park into a vibrant residential development, offering much-needed homes within walking distance of the BBC, The Lowry and Metrolink. The challenge was to design two striking residential towers that complemented the wider MediaCity vision while meeting ambitious efficiency targets on a constrained budget.
OUR RESPONSE
Engineering energy-efficient homes
We delivered full Building Services Engineering services for this £41.5 million development, providing Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) design across two residential buildings of 14 and 17 storeys, linked by a glazed walkway.
The scheme comprised 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus 4,000 square feet of commercial space. A key challenge was integrating the buildings into MediaCity’s existing power, IT and water networks. Our team also championed a ‘fabric first’ approach, optimising the building envelope with low U-values and minimal air leakage to reduce heat loss. We designed individual MVHR systems for each apartment to ensure efficient ventilation, with summer boost modes to combat overheating.
THE RESULT
Smart, sustainable apartments ready for modern city living
Our services delivered a cost-effective, energy-efficient residential scheme that met the client’s vision and budget constraints. The development now provides 280 high-quality apartments with modern, sustainable systems that keep energy use and running costs low.
THE LASTING IMPACT
Strengthening Salford’s residential offering with smart design solutions
By integrating with MediaCity’s site-wide infrastructure, we helped make the development run smoothly and deliver lasting benefits. The project adds much-needed homes to Salford’s creative district, strengthening its role as a place to live, work and enjoy.
Find out more about our Building Services Engineering expertise.
