WISH you were here? It's got The Lowry, a five-star hotel, high-rise blocks, Coronation Street terraces . . . and beaches.
Visitors to Manchester's twin city in the near future might find it worth packing deckchairs, sun cream and a bucket and spade.
Like Rio de Janeiro, Salford could soon have golden sands - but the surf would be the Irwell, not the Atlantic!
It was Stone Roses singer Ian Brown who once said: "Manchester has everything except a beach."
But if creative architects and designers get their way, its near neighbour will beat Manchester to it.
Nine proposals for a new waterfront community with homes, bars and shops in Greengate, have been short-listed by judges.
At the moment, the development site is a derelict chunk of land next to the river and close to Manchester city centre.
Imaginative
An engineering works, which covered it, was flattened last year.
But from a wave of amazingly imaginative designs for the plot, a winner will be chosen next month.
There were 76 entries from 19 countries in a competition organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
An entry by the London-based firm Rijke Marsh Morgan includes a beach and the construction of an island in the Irwell. Bridges across the river would have homes built into them.
Another London firm taken by the mini Manhattan idea is Maccreanor Lavington. They would form an island by creating a new channel of water off the Irwell to totally transform the character of the area.
In Paris, sand was transported to the banks of the Seine recently so summer visitors could bask on a golden mile.
But in Salford, a beach would be a permanent fixture if the idea was chosen.
Apartments
That British tradition, the beach hut, would get a futuristic new styling by Peter Barber Architects of London, with cabins built on stilts in front of low rise but high density homes.
A podium of shops and bars with ultra-modern apartments on top is a dazzling idea by another firm from the capital - Populararchitecture. Paintings would be printed on the glass facades of the high-rise homes.
A scheme called "Water Meadow" by the Austrian firm Share Architects has also been short-listed. This would involve creating grass-covered hills, under which cars would be parked, and terraced style streets.
The development of the site is being driven by Urban Splash, who bought the land (off Springfield Lane and close to Trinity Way) from Salford City Council last year.
Chairman of the judging panel, Walter Menteth of RIBA, said: "The competition received an extremely exciting and diverse response producing some of the finest possible solutions that could be achieved. These exciting developers are making a significant contribution to the civic benefit of Salford and Manchester."
Once a winner is chosen, it is expected the developments will be built in phases that could take up to six years to complete.
Do you think having a beach in Salford is a good idea?
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What a waste of resources - it would be littered with empty beer cans, dog poo etc in no time
A beach just like a lot of things is fine in theory but will attract yobs from all around and get covered in litter. Appartments are fantastic for this location, but what appartments need is a private secure communal garden which is for the benefit of residents so that they can escape the city and it's problems and come to a safe, secure place after a hard days work and socialise with other residents. They do not want to come home to Salford beach or any other space where yobs can hang out. Architects from London won't appreciate this subtle point. Anyway I'm sure the beach will look great on opening day, just like all crackpot schemes including the Piccadilly gardens eyesore and the great splat proposed for the City of Manchester Stadium.
best wishes to all at the MEN team and thanks for covering architecture /regeneration
Dave Bradley
After 40 years away.This I have too See When we
visit to the old home Town.
The plans are ambitious indeed, but it's exactly the kind of boost Salford needs. I reckon if 15 years ago anyone said the Quays area was going to be an ultra desirable place to live with one bed apartments changing hands for B#200k or more they'd have been shown the door of their very own padded cell! All you need is a bit of water, a bit of pride, and a well designed, safe and secure scheme. The sense of community will naturally grow and spread beyond the boundaries of the scheme. We need a lot more schemes of this nature in both Salford and Manchester. Why the hell not!
Born n bred in salford, in my youth we faught to get out of the place, lived in a number of place`s all over the world the last 30 year`s, just got a place in Salford over looking the river Irwell, Iam whispering right now so me dad will not hear how much I paid It would make him turn over in his Salford grave.
PS I wake every morning, look out at the Irwell, there are no rat`s there any more!
Great idea's, this is just what Salford needs. But, how are the going to deal with the local yobs, because if they don't then this will be a complete waste of time!
I was born in Salford and have been living here for over 7 years now. Like any city Salford has her problems but I have found it safer than Manchester. I work in Salford Quays too and I like the idea of heading down to the beach on my lunch break but have a feeling it will be awash with drunken scallies selling drugs.
I think in theory it is a great idea, but what it needs in between is to clean up the surrounding areas. The council need to invest money in tourism and attractions.
What a load of rubbish! It sounds really nice the way they sell the idea to you. BUT as I've lived in salford all my life i've got to say it isn't a good idea. Salford town planners need to get their heads out of the clouds and grasp hold of reality. These plans will only add more to the plastic sugar coated facade that the quays has created, of recent. That salford is a prosperous city and it's a lovely place to live, work, and play. The truth is these developments are NOT for the people of salford. They're always extremley high priced up market apartments for "young professionals" (southern yuppies working in the city). And the locals will try and rob them and will take over this proposed beach. Spread the wealth!
I agree.
I never was a beach bunny but I guess it will appeal to many, largely well-heeled people. I do agree that we should deal with the yob culture that exists in Salford. Many people use the word "Salford" as a metaphor for criminal behaviour, drug addiction, prostitution and benefit fraud. Unfortunately, there is substance to this view. Most of the people living in this area are hardworking,decent folk, but there is a small minority who take pride in being anti-social and destructive. Let's have the beach - but let's get rid of the thugs first!!