“Have you seen their latest?” That’s a question that runs around the design and development community every time Urban Splash launches yet another eye-popping housing scheme. Like supermodel Kate Moss’s clothing range for Topshop and the latest album release by the Arctic Monkeys, an Urban Splash scheme generates a buzz of excitement. How many other residential developers could say the same? Tom Bloxham, co-founder and chairman of Urban Splash, likes to cite the oath of the Athenians as a driving influence: 'We will leave this city greater, better and more beautiful than it was left to us.’ That’s a big statement and could sound pompous coming from anyone other than the sandal and goatee wearing adoptive Mancunian. But the choice of words is telling. Firstly they are a million miles away from mainstream housebuilding’s mantra of markets and profit and secondly, Urban Splash is walking Bloxham’s talk. The company’s determination to do things differently has grabbed attention in every respect. It scoops up architectural awards, wins widespread praise and has the public queuing around the block to buy homes. Our judges joined the chorus of approval, declaring the company to be by far the most exciting developer around at the moment. The judges said: “Urban Splash shows an outstanding commitment to promoting diverse young architectural talent, making sustainable inspiring communities, and engaging with the problems of twenty first century living.” That commitment is evident in such schemes as Islington Square, in New Islington, East Manchester. At Islington Square, Urban Splash worked with trendy architect FAT and the local community to produce houses straight from a fairytale with Dutch gables, cheery coloured brickwork and balconies with cute heart-shaped cutouts. By contrast for the Budenberg Haus Projekte apartment scheme in Altrincham the developer set the urban minimalism of signature architect Foster and Partners in the rural setting of Cheshire. There seem to be no end to the developer’s challenges to convention. One project in progress involves regenerating rows of eminently ordinary Victorian terraced houses in Langworthy, near Salford. With the help of architect shedkm, the developer is giving the homes a complete makeover that includes the addition of mezzanines, garden decks and car ports, turning the living accommodation upside down and a little bit of Splash marketing magic, complete with the new name for the area: Chimney Pot Park. When the first houses at Chimney Pot Park went on sale at eminently affordable prices starting at £99,500, 108 people queued up, some camping overnight, to buy. Through schemes like Chimney Pot Park, Urban Splash is demonstrating that there is an appetite for design quality and individuality. Our judges concluded: “If only the rest of the industry would take a leaf out of Urban Splash’s book.” |
