Why multigenerational communities matter, and how Marina Village will help Barrow thrive

When I think about the places that feel most alive, with an almost tangible energy and unique character, it’s never the buildings that come to mind. It’s the people – different ages, backgrounds and life stages – all finding their own reasons to stay, put down roots and engage with each other. At Muse, creating those kinds of multigenerational communities isn’t a by‑product of development, but the point of it.

As we begin our partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council to bring Marina Village to life in Barrow, that commitment has never felt more important.

Barrow is a place of world‑class industry and exceptional skill, but for decades it has struggled to keep hold of the very people who help it thrive. Many come to work, but not enough choose to stay long‑term. Marina Village presents a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to change that.

Building places that grow with people

One of the most powerful measures of placemaking is time. What does a neighbourhood look like after ten years? Twenty? What does it feel like when children who once played in its parks return as young adults, ready to build careers of their own?

We’ve seen this story unfold in many of the places Muse has helped shape.

A strong example of this is Salford Central, delivered through the ECF – our long-term partnership with Homes England and L&G. What began as an underused 50‑acre stretch of the city has, over more than a decade, been transformed into a vibrant mixed community with over 1,000 new homes, high‑quality workspace and public spaces that connect Salford and Manchester more closely than ever before. It’s now somewhere people actively choose to live, work and spend time, shaped by a partnership that’s committed for the long term.

We’ve seen similar impact in Stockport, where our work with the council on Stockport Exchange has helped spark wider confidence in the town centre. The transformation of the area around the station, from high‑quality offices to new public spaces and improved routes, has played a major role in reshaping how people experience the town. It’s become a more welcoming, people‑focused destination that supports a stronger daytime and evening economy and encourages more workers, visitors and businesses to spend time in the centre.

Another example of long-term placemaking is Wapping Wharf in Bristol, which we’ve delivered in partnership with Umberslade. Once a disused stretch of harbourside, it’s now a lively neighbourhood of over 1,000 residents, supported by 450 mixed‑tenure homes and a thriving community of independent shops and cafés. Its evolution over the last decade shows how transforming waterfront locations can create places with a strong identity and a real sense of belonging.

What unites these places is not their scale or their location but their longevity, and we’re bringing this same mindset to Barrow.

Homes for every generation

Marina Village will introduce a new mix of homes that broaden Barrow’s residential offer and support long‑term population growth. It’s deliberately designed to meet the needs of different generations.

For graduates and young professionals, the early phases include co‑living homes and high‑quality rental apartments – the kinds of environments that help people build friendships, networks and early roots. This echoes what young workers expect from larger cities but place it right on Barrow’s waterfront.

As careers progress and families form, Marina Village will offer larger homes in walkable, green neighbourhoods, close to schools, community spaces and the town centre. And as residents grow older, they won’t need to leave the community they’ve built. Thoughtfully designed later‑living homes, integrated rather than isolated, will allow people to stay local, stay connected and stay active within the neighbourhood.

Places become genuinely multigenerational when different types of homes are woven into one neighbourhood, giving people the chance to move through life without having to move away.

Supporting Barrow’s long‑term prosperity

We know housing alone won’t solve Barrow’s demographic challenges. Places succeed when homes are combined with opportunity, culture, nature and reasons for people to participate in daily community life.

That’s why Marina Village includes:

– A revitalised waterfront, with spaces for cafés, restaurants and year‑round activity

– A new community hub in the former Railwaymen’s building — a home for learning, gathering and local initiatives

– A skills hub to connect local people with opportunities throughout the 10‑year construction programme and beyond

– Green and blue corridors that link the town centre, Cavendish Dock and the nature reserve

– Safe, walkable streets that encourage active travel and better connections into Barrow

It’s a long-term investment in Barrow’s economic and social future.

A place Barrow can be proud of

Barrow’s coastal landscape, heritage and community spirit give it enormous potential and our role at Muse is to help unlock that to genuinely serve people. Marina Village is designed to reconnect residents with the waterfront, create opportunities on their doorstep and bring new life to the town’s daily rhythm, all underpinned by our belief in long‑term, partnership‑led placemaking.