“The completion of Deansgate Gardens marks not only an exciting step for our delivery of quality homes across the UK, but also an important milestone in the regeneration of Bolton”
– Phil Jones – Placefirst
Placefirst has completed Deansgate Gardens, a £35m build-to-rent development in Bolton town centre, delivering 167 homes as part of the town’s wider £1bn regeneration strategy.
The scheme includes one- and two-bedroom apartments, townhouses, new public realm, ground-floor commercial units, and communal outdoor areas. Energy-efficient features such as rooftop solar panels, heat pumps, and enhanced insulation have been incorporated to reduce running costs and support sustainability targets, making it Placefirst’s most environmentally focused development so far.
Deansgate Gardens forms a central part of Bolton Council’s regeneration masterplan, which aims to reshape the town centre with new housing, workplaces, retail and leisure provision, green spaces, and improved transport links. The project was delivered on a former commercial and retail site dating back to the Victorian era. The name retains a connection to the location’s heritage, with the reinstated ‘ginnel’ route linking Deansgate to the former Chapel Alley.
Caddick Construction acted as the main contractor, supported by Levitt Bernstein, Walker Sime, CW Studio, Alan Johnston Partnership, and Mackie Project Consultants. The Greater Manchester Pension Fund provided a £22.6m loan contribution alongside Placefirst’s investment.
“The completion of Deansgate Gardens marks not only an exciting step for our delivery of quality homes across the UK, but also an important milestone in the regeneration of Bolton,” said Phil Jones, development director at Placefirst. “This development is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with our partners and local authorities to meet the growing demand for quality, long-term rental homes, whilst contributing to local priorities. Working closely with Bolton Council on Deansgate Gardens has enabled us to deliver a scheme that aligns with Bolton’s wider ambitions, creates homes for local people, and demonstrates the important role purpose-built rental communities can play in supporting wider urban renewal.”
Contractor Caddick highlighted its partnership role in the scheme. “Deansgate Gardens marks the second scheme built by Caddick and delivered for Placefirst, with the handover of 122 new homes at the Bolt Works scheme in Halifax earlier in the summer,” commented Dave Saville, regional managing director of Caddick Construction in the North West. “Both Bolt Works and the newly completed Deansgate Gardens have proven what’s possible when underutilised brownfield sites are reimagined with the community at the heart.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Placefirst, who share our ambition to create only the highest quality homes for local people. Sustainability and collaboration were embedded from the outset and have ensured a robust design and build process, and we’re pleased to have now officially handed over Deansgate Gardens to Placefirst and to have welcomed the first residents.”
Council leadership stressed the scheme’s role in Bolton’s economic transformation. “Deansgate Gardens is central to the ongoing regeneration of Bolton as we reimagine our town centre and transform our local economy,” explained Cllr Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council. “As consumers move away from physical retail, vibrant urban developments like this are the basis of a new model providing the right mix of leisure, hospitality and employment space, alongside traditional shopping.”
“As we shape our local plan, this development offers the perfect example of how we can meet our housing targets by delivering quality homes on brownfield land. As employers across the borough look to attract new talent to Bolton, Deansgate Gardens will be an important ‘pull factor’, offering quality facilities, town centre living, and excellent transport links.”
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