Housing association Salix Homes has worked in partnership with contractor Emanuel Whittaker to give an ageing apartment block from Salford a much-needed facelift. Carmel Avenue in Ordsall houses 12 apartments that now benefit from new windows, gutters, fascias, fencing, and freshly painted panels.
“Carmel Avenue now looks fantastic following its recent makeover. The block was beginning to look a little tired and dated, but for a relatively modest investment we have been able to deliver a complete transformation in how it looks,” said Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes. “It’s really changed the appearance for those who live here and we hope the residents can enjoy living in new and improved homes that they can be proud of.”
The interior of the communal areas have also gone under major makeover with new flooring and decorating, together with new front doors for all the apartments.
“The project involved renewing the roof, windows, apartment doors and communal doors as well as decorating and flooring the communal areas. These works have greatly enhanced the appearance of the place, making it an inviting and welcoming place for residents and their visitors,” said John Millward, site manager for Emanuel Whittaker.
The £300,000 improvement project targeted 174 homes in the area, including Brighton Court and Croyden Court. Salix Homes owns more than 8,300 properties in Salford, and by 2020, it will have invested £75 million into improving homes and communities in the area.
Established in 2007, the company was initially launched as an arm length management organisation operating on behalf of Salford City Council. In 2014, tenants voted for Salix Homes to take over ownership of their homes from the council and in March 2015 Salix Homes officially moved away from the council and became a stand-alone Registered Provider (RP) – a move that has unlocked millions of pounds of investment and will create hundreds of new jobs and training opportunities in Salford.
