Manchester-based developer Salboy is predicting huge demand when apartments at their 40-storey residential tower Viadux go on sale next month.
Despite the impacts of COVID-19, Salboy’s Simon Ismail says inquiries for off-plan investments are continuing to generate interest from within the UK as well as overseas.
Publishing new images of the project, the director commented: “Viadux will be Manchester’s premier address, in the heart of the city, close to the historic Civic Quarter and with great transport connections.
“The demand for ultra-high quality living in the best city centre locations continues, and for so many reasons Manchester continues to be the choice within the UK for both investors and people buying to live.
“Rural properties may be back on the agenda but we are seeing the opposite. People are still wanting to buy and live in Manchester and be part of the city’s growth and success.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is a long -term investment in Manchester and from the level of inquiries we know many people are very confident in what Manchester will look like in four years’ time.”
Situated next to Manchester Central Convention Centre, Viadux will offer generous living spaces, luxurious finishes and state of the art technology – all surrounded by beautiful private gardens.
ADVERTISEMENT
Residents will also enjoy a range of lifestyle amenities including a fully-equipped gym, separate yoga studio and cinema with tiered seating.
There are also plans to expand the amenity offering into the Grade II viaducts offering unique spaces to relax and socialise alongside new independent retail and coffee shops on adjacent to the main entrance on Great Bridgewater Street.
The first phase release will see one, two bedroom apartments and penthouses up for purchase – handled directly by Salboy’s in-house sales team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Prices for a one-bedroom 546 sq ft apartment start at £265,000 with two bedrooms available from £350,000.
The first phase of Viadux units will be launched on 8 August 2020.
Construction is scheduled to take four years – with Salboy’s construction partner Domis already on site undertaking preparatory works alongside an archaeological dig.
Simon added: “The process is simple and buyers will be dealing with Salboy all the way through.
“Working alongside Domis we have a strong track record of delivering high quality residential projects on time and on budget and our pledge at Viadux is to create world class homes for people to enjoy working and living in the city.”
ADVERTISEMENT
In June, a planning application for £1m of landscaping and access was submitted to Manchester City Council – which will see a new glass lift and staircase linking directly to the nearby Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
Learn more about Salboy developments by visiting their website.
Property
Greater Manchester reveals £11.7m plan to tackle empty homes across the region
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester has revealed its £11.7m plan to tackle all the homes currently empty across the region.
They’re aiming to tackle the pressures currently being put on temporary accommodation by turning long-term empty homes throughout the region into safe and secure housing for families who need it.
Temporary accommodation is described as being a ‘vital safety net’ for people who are facing or are at risk of homelessness, as it ensures they have somewhere safe to stay – but rising demand, a shortage of affordable homes, and escalating costs have left Councils, such as Greater Manchester‘s, increasingly reliant on expensive alternatives that are often deemed unsuitable and place a significant strain on local budgets.
At the same time, thousands of long-term empty homes across Greater Manchester remain unused.
This is why, with new devolved powers, GMCA is now taking what it’s calling a ‘coordinated, region-wide approach’ to bring these empty homes back into use and pioneer long-term solutions to the temporary accommodation crisis.
Greater Manchester reveals its £11.7m plan to tackle empty homes across the region / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
New research has revealed that temporary accommodation usage across the region has nearly doubled since 2019, with 5,915 households now making use of it as of March 2025.
At the same time, it’s estimated that the region has around 12,700 homes which have been empty for six months or more.
So, the new £11.7 million package – which is funded by GMCA – will be used to refurbish or lease up to 400 properties and help Councils cut bills for ‘costly and unsuitable’ temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, hostels, or hotels.
“More than 8,000 children are among the families living in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester and that is simply unacceptable,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Homelessness tears young families from their communities and support networks, leaving them in environments that are often wholly unsuitable. This experience leaves lasting scars and that’s why we’re taking bold action.
“By investing an initial £11.7m to bring long-term empty homes back into use, we can offer better housing options, reduce the reliance on costly temporary accommodation, and ease the financial strain on local authorities.”
Alongside this package, another £10.6 million fund will enable councils to provide financial incentives, repair support, and offer temporary leasing options for at least 400 empty homes, ensuring they can be quickly brought into use as temporary or settled accommodation for families.
The programme is part of the work of Greater Manchester’s dedicated Housing First Unit, established to deliver the vision for ‘a healthy home for all’ by 2038.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Property
Government sets date for ‘historic’ no-fault evictions ban next year
Emily Sergeant
The Government has officially set the date for the ban of no-fault evictions next year.
Renting in England is expected to be ‘transformed’ with a raft of major changes coming into effect as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill from 1 May 2026 for 11 million people across the country – and this, crucially, includes the end of Section 21 evictions at no-fault of the tenant.
As it stands, Section 21 notices leaving thousands of people vulnerable to homelessness every year, but in just under six months’ time, private renters will no longer face this threat.
To the vast majority of renters and landlords who play by the rules, this government has got your back.
Further measures announced as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill – which has now been passed in law – include a ban on rental bidding wars, making landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and prevented from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price, and also a ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts.
The latter will prevent landlords from implementing higher rents mid-tenancy, and only allow them to raise the rent once a year to the market rate.
Landlords will also no longer be able to unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet, nor will they be able to discriminate against potential tenants, because they receive benefits or have children.
‘No-fault’ evictions are now banned in England under historic new legislation / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
On the flip side, however, the new Bill means landlords will have stronger legally valid reasons to get their properties back when needed – whether that’s be to move in themselves, sell the property, or deal with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
The Government says this will work to deliver a fairer system for both sides.
“We’re calling time on no fault evictions and rogue landlords,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head, and the law we’ve just passed delivers that.
“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in, so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.”
Alongside the Renters’ Rights Act, an ‘improved’ Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which will better assess health and safety risks in homes and making it more efficient and easier to understand, will also be introduced.
And there are also planned new standards to ensure privately rented properties are warmer and cheaper to run.
The Manc -
29th July 2020 
