Thursday 18th November 2025: Build-to-rent (BTR) specialist Placefirst has completed a £35m development called Deansgate Gardens, in the heart of Bolton town centre.
The development has delivered 167 high quality and sustainable homes, comprised of one and two bedroom apartments and townhouses, as well as new public realm, ground-floor commercial units, and communal outdoor spaces. It is Placefirst’s most sustainable development to-date, built with energy-efficient technologies including rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and enhanced insulation to help lower residents’ energy bills while contributing to a greener future for Bolton.
The completion of Deansgate Gardens underlines Placefirst’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality rental homes across the UK. It also represents the delivery of a key part of Bolton Council’s £1bn masterplan to regenerate the town centre, which will deliver modern housing, new workplaces, revitalised retail and leisure opportunities, green spaces, and improved connectivity.
Placefirst has worked closely with the council to deliver the scheme, ensuring that it aligns with local priorities and meets the demand for long-term, professionally managed and centrally located rental properties in the town.
Caddick acted as the main contractor for Deansgate Gardens, delivering the project in close collaboration with Placefirst and a team of expert consultants. Levitt Bernstein designed the scheme, alongside Walker Sime, CW Studio, Alan Johnston Partnership and Mackie Project Consultants.
Deansgate Gardens was built on a former commercial and retail site, which dates back to the Victorian era. The new development references the sites heritage, by retaining the name, and the ‘ginnel’ route linking Deansgate to the site of the former Chapel Alley.
The scheme was funded by Placefirst, along with a £22.6m loan contribution from the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
Commenting on the completion, Phil Jones, Development Director of Placefirst, said: “The completion of Deansgate gardens marks not only an exciting step for our delivery of quality homes across the UK, but also an important milestone in the regeneration of Bolton. This development is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with our partners and local authorities to meet the growing demand for quality, long term rental homes, whilst contributing to local priorities.
“Working closely with Bolton Council on Deansgate Gardens has enabled us to deliver a scheme that aligns with Bolton’s wider ambitions, creates homes for local people, and that demonstrates the important role purpose-built rental communities can play in supporting wider urban renewal.”
Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction in North West comments: “Deansgate Gardens marks the second scheme built by Caddick and delivered for Placefirst, with the handover of 122 new homes at the Bolt Works scheme in Halifax earlier in the summer. Both Bolt Works and the newly completed Deansgate Gardens have proven what’s possible when underutilised brownfield sites are reimagined with the community at the heart. It has been a pleasure to work with Placefirst, who share our ambition to create only the highest quality homes for local people. Sustainability and collaboration were embedded from the outset and have ensured a robust design and build process and we’re pleased to have now officially handed over Deansgate Gardens to Placefirst and to have welcomed the first residents.
Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, added: “Deansgate Gardens is central to the ongoing regeneration of Bolton as we reimagine our town centre and transform our local economy.
“As consumers move away from physical retail, vibrant urban developments like this are the basis of a new model providing the right mix of leisure, hospitality and employment space, alongside traditional shopping.
“As we shape our local plan, this development offers the perfect example of how we can meet our housing targets by delivering quality homes on brownfield land.
“As employers across the borough look to attract new talent to Bolton, Deansgate Gardens will be an important ‘pull factor’, offering quality facilities, town centre living, and excellent transport links.”