Willohaus, a residential development in Salford, UK, offering 100% affordable Passivhaus Classic-certified homes, has topped out.
This milestone marks a significant advancement in the £2.5bn ($3.16bn) Crescent Salford master plan, which aims to deliver 700 homes in its first phase.
The Willohaus and Salix scheme is part of Adelphi Village, the initial stage of the 240-acre Crescent Salford master plan.
Willohaus will consist of sustainable one- and two-bedroom apartments located to the east of the River Irwell.
The development is being executed by the Crescent Partnership, which includes the English Cities Fund (ECF) alongside Salford City Council and the University of Salford.
ECF is a partnership by three entities comprising Muse, the government’s housing and regeneration agency Homes England, and Legal & General, a financial services group and investor.
Salix Homes, a housing association, is ECF's housing partner for Willohaus. The project is supported by Manchester-based design studio Buttress Architects, Max Fordham engineering consultancy, and lead contractor Eric Wright Construction.
The construction of the five- and six-storey building began in April 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2026.
The eco-friendly apartments are designed with Juliet balconies to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
This development also includes storage for 100 bikes, promoting sustainable travel among residents.
Willohaus is designed to Passivhaus standards, offering an energy-efficient housing solution that can reduce energy bills by up to 90% compared to traditional homes.
Speaking on behalf of the Crescent Partnership, project director Simon Hourihan said: “Working as a partnership, we’re on the way to delivering the first of many affordable, environmentally-friendly apartments to the city of Salford. The topping out of Willohaus represents a significant milestone as the first residential project within Crescent Salford to reach this stage, and the homes will offer local residents an enhanced standard of living, with reduced energy bills, better air quality and increased comfort.
“By incorporating innovative design and Passivhaus building practices, we aim to create places that not only meet the needs of the city but also contribute to a healthier environment. This commitment to sustainability reduces utility costs but also promotes responsible regeneration that has a lasting impact on the community, as well as helping Salford achieve its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2038.”
The ECF partnership has also submitted plans for a second Passivhaus community within Crescent Salford.
The proposed Farmer Norton phase one, located on Cleminson Street, will include 42 low-rise, three-bedroom homes and represent the second phase of Adelphi Village. If approved, construction is slated to begin in the mid-2025.
Earlier this month, Hull City Council in the UK chose ECF as its lead development partner for the East Bank Urban Village project.
