Plans approved for refurbishment of Faraday
03.09.26 3 min read
Faraday, part of the University of Salford’s estate, will be transformed into a modern workspace for professional services staff following approval of plans for its refurbishment.
Submitted by the Crescent Partnership, comprising Salford City Council, the University of Salford and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse – the plans form part of the £2.5bn, 240-acre Crescent Salford masterplan, which is regenerating this area of the city.
After being vacant for several years, Faraday will be given a new lease of life as 3,500 m2 of high-quality, flexible workspace for University teams.
The refurbished building will incorporate green spaces, bike storage and an accessible entrance, creating a refreshed, inclusive and welcoming environment for staff.
With plans approved, work is expected to begin on Faraday later this year and complete in early 2028.
Approval of plans also marks the next step in the University’s Campus Connectivity Plan, the major redevelopment of its research, teaching and public spaces.
Simon Hourihan, project director at ECF, said:
Mark Wantling, chief infrastructure officer at the University of Salford, said:
“It’s great news that we have the green light to start work on Faraday, bringing an established building on the Crescent back to life at the same time as providing a welcoming new environment for our professional services teams.”
Work is already underway on two other University projects due to open in 2027 – its world-class Acoustics Building and the Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre. The Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) opened in February and supports the University’s commitment to maximising skills and employment opportunities for people in Salford and Greater Manchester.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:
“The approval of plans to refurbish Faraday is another important step forward in delivering the Crescent Salford vision, bringing new energy and purpose to this vacant building. This investment not only supports the University’s growth but also strengthens our wider ambitions to create high-quality jobs, inclusive spaces and a thriving, sustainable community here in Salford. It’s great to see the Crescent partners working together to breathe new life into our city and ensure its continued success for future generations.”
Plans for Faraday have been designed by architects PRP, with interior design by OBI and landscape architecture led by Planit.
Faraday forms part of Crescent Innovation, one aspect of the Crescent Salford masterplan, which aims to build on existing research capabilities to drive further economic growth in the city, open up opportunities and facilitate links between academia, research and business. Crescent Innovation comprises more than 900 new homes and up to 1.7m sq. ft of commercial, academic and research space, in addition to significant improvements to public spaces.