Cenza completes bringing 196 new homes to Salford Central

Salford Central’s transformation has reached a defining moment with the completion of Cenza – ECF’s 23-storey riverside tower, which has been funded by CBRE Investment Management and is the latest addition to one of the North West’s most ambitious regeneration programmes.

Named to evoke the spirit of achievement that has driven the area’s decade-long renewal, Cenza is delivering 196 new homes to the banks of the Irwell.

Cenza is the third building on this stretch of the riverbank that ECF (our partnership between Homes England and L&G and Muse) has delivered with Morgan Sindall Construction, following the award-winning Slate Yard and Novella developments.

Together, the three projects – spanning five buildings in total – have brought more than 800 new high-quality homes to the area as part of ECF’s long-term regeneration partnership with Salford City Council.

Designed by HawkinsBrown, the waterside apartment building contains one, two and three-bedroom apartments, and has 3,800 sq. ft of internal amenity space, including a gym and communal and working areas on the 22nd floor, offering uninterrupted views across the city.

Cenza is a key part of the masterplan for Salford Central – a 20-year regeneration programme focused on the areas around Chapel Street and New Bailey, delivered by ECF in partnership with Salford City Council across a 50-acre site.

The partnership has already created more than 1,000 mixed-tenure homes, 770,000 sq. ft of commercial space, retail, hospitality and world-class workplaces, alongside new public event spaces, improved transport routes and enhanced pedestrian access – transforming an underdeveloped area into an aspirational place to live and work.

Chris Bishop, Senior Project Manager, said:

“Where Cenza now stands was once a patchwork of temporary car parks and fragmented, underused land that had defeated previous development attempts. Our goal was always to avoid piecemeal change and instead bring the whole area forward together – reintegrating it into the urban fabric of the city and giving it a genuine new lease of life. The result is a neighbourhood that is commercially vibrant, sustainably designed, and a prime example of public-private collaboration at its most effective.”

Kurt Partington, Director of Regeneration at Salford City Council, said:

“The completion of Cenza marks another significant milestone in the transformation of Salford Central and demonstrates the long-term impact of our partnership with ECF. This development has helped turn previously underused land into a thriving new neighbourhood that brings new homes, investment and opportunities into the heart of the city.

“Over the past decade, Salford Central has become one of the UK’s leading examples of successful city-centre regeneration, creating places where people want to live, work and spend time. Cenza adds to that success, providing high-quality homes in a highly sustainable and well-connected location, while helping to support the continued growth of our city and local economy.”

Hannah Marshall, CIO – UK Direct Real Estate Strategies at CBRE Investment Management, said:

“This project is a physical representation of our commitment to creating inclusive, sustainable communities where residents can truly thrive. By embedding high-quality design into the fabric of the building, we have delivered more than just apartments; we have created a high-quality asset for both our investors and the Greater Manchester community. Cenza stands as a leading example of how strategic capital can be used to drive positive urban transformation and deliver lasting impact.”

Steven Gregory, North West Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said:

“Cenza is another example of what can be achieved when ambitious partners work together with a shared vision and commitment to quality. As one of the latest additions to the New Bailey neighbourhood, it is a striking new landmark on the banks of the River Irwell and a development that will make a lasting contribution to Salford’s continued growth and success.

“Delivering a project of this scale and quality is a testament to the collaboration, expertise and dedication of everyone involved. Beyond the building itself, we are proud of the positive impact the project has had throughout construction, creating employment, training and supply chain opportunities that have benefitted local people and businesses. Cenza leaves a legacy that extends far beyond the completion of the building, and we are delighted to have played our part in bringing it to life.”

Leasing and property management at Cenza is being handled by Allsop, bringing their specialist residential expertise to what promises to be one of Salford’s most sought-after addresses.