The Crescent Partnership — comprising Salford City Council, University of Salford and English Cities Fund (ECF) has submitted plans to refurbish the vacant Faraday House building on Chapel Street in Salford into high-quality flexible workspace for the university’s professional services teams as part of the wider £2.5 billion (US$3.37 billion) Crescent masterplan regeneration programme.

The vacant Faraday House is set to be converted into around 3,500 square metres of adaptable workspace to house professional services staff at the University of Salford. Located beside the Irwell Place Car Park on the A6 in Salford, the building was originally constructed as the headquarters of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW) before becoming part of the university’s campus in the 1970s. The scheme forms part of the £2.5 billion Crescent Masterplan regeneration initiative, delivered by Salford City Council, the university and ECF — a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse Developments.

Developers state that upgrading Faraday House represents the next phase of the University of Salford’s Campus Connectivity Plan, a wide-ranging programme to modernise its research facilities, teaching buildings and public areas. The design aims to boost operational efficiency while supporting staff wellbeing, with features such as landscaped green areas, secure cycle storage and a fully accessible entrance. Construction is also progressing on other parts of the campus, including the Acoustics Building, scheduled for completion in 2027, the Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre, expected to finish in late 2026, and the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology, which has recently opened to deliver advanced technical education and skills training.

Subject to approval of the Crescent Partnership’s proposals, construction is anticipated to start in spring 2027, with the refurbishment expected to be finished by the end of that year.