Urban Splash#House by Urban Splash

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Urban Splash was founded by Tom Bloxham, a graduate of the University of Manchester, and Jonathan Falkingham, an architecture graduate from Liverpool University. Bloxham's initial business experience was selling pop posters in Affleck's Palace in Manchester. Bloxham branched out as a landlord opening the Northern Quarter Arcade adjacent to Affleck's Palace. He then expanded into Liverpool, opening a shopping arcade called the Liverpool Palace and then into licensed premises with the founding of the Baa Bar in Liverpool together with Falkingham.{{Cite news |date=2004-08-10 |title=Making a splash |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/making-a-splash-1149661 |access-date=2022-07-19 |work=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

Established in 1993, Urban Splash has redeveloped disused buildings across the United Kingdom, with schemes including:

• New Islington in Manchester{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Susan |date=2021-10-03 |title=We talk to the people living and working in the city's most exciting new area |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/trips-and-breaks/manchesters-little-amsterdam-people-living-21736952 |access-date=2022-07-15 |work=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}
• Chimney Pot Park in Salford[https://web.archive.org/web/20090503234248/http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article4261072.ece Times online:Chimney Pot Park's regeneration by Urban Splash] Retrieved on 2008-07-13
• Lister Mills in Bradford
• Saxton Parade in Leeds
• Park Hill in Sheffield
• The Vanilla and Tea Factories and The Matchworks in Liverpool
• The Rotunda and Fort Dunlop in Birmingham
• Lakeshore in Bristol - apartments in an old tobacco factory come complete with underfloor heating powered by a biomass boiler and a guide promoting sustainable living as part of the package.{{cite news |date=2012-05-30 |title=Urban Splash: old tobacco factory transformed into eco paradise |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/best-practice-exchange/urban-splash-tobacco-factory-eco-paradise?newsfeed=true}} In February 2015, Urban Splash sold the freehold of the site to Adriatic Land 3 Limited.
• Royal William Yard in Plymouth

In September 2008, Urban Splash announced it would be making significant redundancies[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7612847.stm "Staff at Urban Splash face cuts"] Retrieved on 2008-09-12 due to the downturn in the UK property market. The downturn also led to delays on some projects.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/hartcliffe/Bristol-flats-delay-affects-400-depositors/article-736311-detail/article.html|title=Bristol flats delay affects 400|date=1 March 2009|publisher=Bristol Evening Post|access-date=2009-06-11}}

In March 2010, it was announced by Urban Splash that they would be drawing up plans for an £80 million project to renovate the Pleasureland Southport site and construct an outdoor heated swimming pool, while expanding the marine lake and constructing a winter garden, which will all be housed under a landmark atrium inspired by the Eden project. Plans were abandoned in 2012 after the viability of the project was hit by recession.{{Cite news |last=Bartlett |first=David |date=2012-02-09 |title=Plans to transform Southport Pleasureland abandoned |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/plans-transform-southport-pleasureland-abandoned-3352285 |access-date=2022-07-15 |work=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}

In September 2012, the company reported pre-tax losses of £9.3 million and debts of £234.4 million for the previous year.{{Cite web |last=Waite |first=Richard |date=2013-01-03 |title=Urban Splash sees losses and debts increase |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/archive/urban-splash-sees-losses-and-debts-increase |access-date=2022-07-15 |publisher=The Architects’ Journal |language=en}}

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In October 2013, Urban Splash sold one of their undeveloped acquisitions – the former Sunbeam motorcycle factory site, off the Penn Road island in Wolverhampton – which had been disused since 1999. Property developer and former rugby player Liam Wordley bought the site, traditionally known as Sunbeamland, with the intention to convert for residential use.[https://www.expressandstar.com/news/property/2013/10/24/10m-plan-for-homes-at-wolverhampton-sunbeam-factory/ Express and Star, October 2013] Retrieved 2014-03-10

In 2014 Urban Splash refinanced £135 million of debt in conjunction with entering into a joint venture with The Pears Group, and restructured itself.{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/urban-splash-completes-135m-refinance-6951444 |title=Urban Splash completes £135m refinance |author=Shelina Begum |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=14 April 2014 |access-date=6 April 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/urban-splash-reveals-144m-turnover-9541066 |title=Urban Splash reveals £144m turnover as restructure delivers results |author=Adam Jupp |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=29 June 2015 |access-date=6 April 2016}}

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, a number of buildings developed by Urban Splash were reported to have been constructed using unsafe cladding. In January 2018, the Chips building in Manchester failed a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service risk assessment after the cladding on the building was found to have "non fire retardant" written on it. The cladding was then removed at the residents' expense.{{cite web|author=Tom Ravenscroft |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/23/will-alsop-chips-apartment-block-non-fire-retardant-written-cladding/ |title=Cladding of Will Alsop's Chips apartment block has "non fire retardant" written on it |publisher=Dezeen |date=2018-11-08 |access-date=2020-06-05}}

In November 2018, the BBC reported that the cladding on the redeveloped Saxton Parade building in Leeds was combustible and did not meet current or previous building standards.{{cite web|author=David Rhodes & Jonny McGuigan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-46103414 |title=Grenfell Tower: Unsafe cladding 'still affects thousands' |publisher=BBC News |date=2018-01-23 |access-date=2020-06-05}}

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In 2020 Swansea Council announced that Urban Splash would be its preferred development partner for a number of key sites, including the Civic Centre, Swansea Central north and a plot of land running alongside the River Tawe in the St Thomas area of the city.{{Cite web |title=Award-winning company appointed to lead £750m Swansea regeneration |url=https://www.swansea.gov.uk/UrbanSplash |access-date=2022-07-15 |publisher=Swansea Council |language=en-gb}}

In its annual results published in September 2021, Urban Splash announced a 22% increase in turnover – with £39.4 million of sales.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=Urban Splash reports £7m revenue increase |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/urban-splash-reports-7m-revenue-increase/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |publisher=Place North West |language=en-GB}} The company also recorded an increase in the value of its tangible fixed assets which now exceed £100 million – a £5 million growth on the prior year – as well as a retained profit of £0.9 million.

In late 2022, the company acquired more land at New Islington in Manchester.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-08 |title=Urban Splash adds to New Islington holdings |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/urban-splash-adds-to-new-islington-holdings/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |publisher=Place North West |language=en-GB}}

Urban Splash's modular houses were launched in 2016 at New Islington in Manchester, consisting of 43 properties.{{Cite web|url=http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/blog/urban-splash/our-awardwinning-house|title=Urban Splash announcement on House sale}}

The modular housing concept evolved further in March 2018 with the launch of 10 Fab Houses, two storey modular homes created in the factory and designed by architect George Clarke.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/george-clarke-smiths-dock-houses-14269208|title=Check out TV architect George Clarke's amazing space - in North Shields|date=9 February 2018}}

In 2019 the modular operation was demerged from Urban Splash when Japan's biggest house builder Sekisui House and Homes England invested £55 million in the business. In 2022 House by Urban Splash (legally, Urban Splash House Ltd; 48% owned by Urban Splash shareholders, with Sekisui and Homes England holding 48% and 4% respectively){{cite news |last1=Pitcher |first1=Greg |title=Hope for creditors as Urban Splash House insolvency moves to new phase |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/administrations/hope-for-creditors-as-urban-splash-house-insolvency-moves-to-new-phase-30-05-2024 |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=Construction News |date=30 May 2024}} went into administration with 160 staff made redundant at its Derbyshire factory and at sites across the country.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Administration confirmed at House by Urban Splash |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/05/12/administration-confirmed-at-house-by-urban-splash/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=12 May 2022}} The collapsed business owed a combined £19.2 million to dozens of companies.{{cite web |last=Ing |first=Will |title=Architects among firms owed £19 million by House by Urban Splash |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/architects-among-firms-owed-19-million-by-house-by-urban-splash |access-date=17 June 2022 |publisher=Architects' Journal |date=17 June 2022}} Administrators said the business failure was due to "the under-performance of its modular facility, which has been loss-making for a prolonged period"; the underperformance was due to multiple factors including "design issues resulting in production defects and re-working the modular units, the costs of which could not be passed on" while its factory in Alfreton also suffered from "underutilisation and inability to absorb overhead costs."{{cite web |last=Ing |first=Will |title=House by Urban Splash's factory problems laid bare |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/house-by-urban-splashs-factory-problems-laid-bare |access-date=14 July 2022 |publisher=Architects' Journal |date=14 July 2022}}

In October 2023, Urban Splash House was successfully sued by eight former employees as they had been made redundant without a consultation process. An employment tribunal held in Liverpool ruled that at least 20 employees had been dismissed without consultation and so were entitled to compensation.{{cite news |last1=Highfield |first1=Anna |title=Urban Splash House successfully sued by laid-off employees |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/urban-splash-house-successfully-sued-by-laid-off-employees |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Architects' Journal |date=25 October 2023}}

In May 2024, Urban Splash House was set to go into liquidation, the final stage in winding-up the modular specialist, with some suppliers set to receive some of the cash they were owed. The administrator said £4.3 million was available for unsecured creditors; total claims topped £25 million.

As well as residential developments, Urban Splash also works on commercial projects, including Ducie House in Manchester, The Matchworks and Ropewalks in Liverpool, Fort Dunlop in Birmingham and Royal William Yard in Plymouth. Notable past occupiers include 808 State, Simply Red, Cream, The Farm and The La's. In 2021 it announced it had completed {{convert|230,000|sqft|abbr=on}} of commercial deals during the year.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Urban Splash reports strong year for commercial deals|url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2092595-urban-splash-reports-strong-year-for-commercial-deals |access-date=2022-09-02 |publisher=The Business Desk |language=en}}

In July 2022, Urban Splash completed a deal with Aviva Investors to secure £43.5 million to invest in its commercial portfolio in Manchester and Liverpool.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-20 |title=Urban Splash secures £43.5m to invest in commercial assets |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/urban-splash-secures-43-5m-to-invest-in-commercial-portfolio/ |access-date=2022-08-02 |publisher=Place North West |language=en-GB}}

In 2017 the Urban Splash Residential Fund was formed to acquire design-led homes in urban regeneration areas across the UK - both through the Urban Splash pipeline and through opportunistic acquisitions.

The fund owns and manages homes across Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bradford and Bristol, with average occupancy of 97% and annual investor returns of 9.5%.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=Further progress for property fund as £100m+ of equity commitments confirmed |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2091855-further-progress-for-property-fund-as-100m-of-equity-commitments-confirmed |access-date=2022-07-19 |publisher=The Business Desk |language=en}}

In August 2022, the fund's latest results showed it had tripled in value, with net asset value at £90.3 million. It also posted a profit of £2.2 million, a 70% rise on the £1.3 million recorded in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Jon |date=2022-08-09 |title=Urban Splash fund more than triples in value as profits spike |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/urban-splash-fund-more-triples-24710954 |access-date=2022-09-02 |publisher=Business Live |language=en}} The fund also invested £30m in new acquisitions during the reporting period, taking the portfolio to 252 homes in six UK cities.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=Urban Splash Residential Fund reports £30m {{as written|acqu|sition [sic]}} spree |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/usrf-maintains-growth-in-year-of-30m-acqusition-spree/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |publisher=Place North West |language=en-GB}}

In late 2022, the fund acquired Derwent House in Birmingham.{{Cite web |title=Urban Splash Residential Fund buys 40-home scheme in Birmingham from Javelin Block and Oval Real Estate |url=https://developmentfinancetoday.co.uk/article-desc-9282_ |publisher=Development Finance Today |access-date=2022-11-30 |language=en-US}}

In 2012 the company published a book documenting its relationship with architects and the schemes it had completed. Titled Transformation, the book was reviewed in The Times who said: "When it comes to rescuing the great industrial landmarks of the past, Urban Splash is in a class of its own".{{Cite news |last=Binney |first=Marcus |title=Renewing our industrial heritage |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/manchester/renewing-our-industrial-heritage-x8w7dsm6765 |access-date=2022-07-21 |issn=0140-0460}}

In 2018 celebrating its 25th anniversary, the company published a second book titled It Will Never Work.

{{reflist}}

• {{Official|https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/}}

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Category:Companies established in 1993

Category:Companies based in Manchester

Category:Town and country planning in the United Kingdom

Category:Urban Regeneration Companies

Category:Urban society in the United Kingdom

Category:1993 establishments in the United Kingdom