Urban Splash

Urban Splash is a UK-based property development and regeneration company established in 1993 by co-founders Tom Bloxham and Jonathan Falkingham. The firm is headquartered in Castlefield, Manchester, and maintains regional offices in various locations including Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Cambridgeshire, and Plymouth. Urban Splash focuses on transforming disused and often forgotten urban spaces into vibrant communities, developing both residential homes and commercial workspaces across the United Kingdom.

The company's approach to development is rooted in a philosophy of innovation and a commitment to creating better places for people. Urban Splash began with smaller projects, evolving to encompass city blocks and entire neighborhoods, consistently aiming to add value to areas that have experienced social and physical decline. This belief in finding a better way and viewing change as an opportunity has been a driving force behind its regeneration efforts over the past three decades.

Over its 30-year history, Urban Splash has completed more than 60 regeneration projects, resulting in the creation of over 6,000 new homes and 2 million square feet of workspace. Notable projects include New Islington in Manchester, the transformation of Park Hill in Sheffield, and the redevelopment of Royal William Yard in Plymouth. The company also manages a significant commercial portfolio and established the Urban Splash Residential Fund in 2017 to acquire and manage design-led homes in urban regeneration areas across the UK. This fund has grown to own 437 homes across eight Urban Splash neighborhoods in cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Cambridge, Bradford, and Bristol.

While Urban Splash's primary focus spans broad residential and commercial regeneration, the company also has experience in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). At its Park Hill development in Sheffield, 356 student accommodations have been delivered across three completed phases, contributing to a mixed community that also includes new homes and workspace. Furthermore, Urban Splash is exploring the possibility of developing a high-density student housing scheme at Cambridge Circus in Manchester. This proposed project, referenced in a 2023 PBSA supply report, indicates designs for approximately 750 bedspaces within two towers, with discussions regarding its feasibility ongoing.

Urban Splash frequently engages in partnerships to deliver its projects, collaborating with entities such as Places for People on large-scale neighborhood transformations and with Aviva Investors for investments in its commercial portfolio. The firm also launched 'House by Urban Splash' in 2016, a modular housing concept designed to create sustainable homes and communities using modern construction methods. This subsidiary was demerged in 2019 following a £55 million investment from Sekisui House and Homes England.