Warrington-based contractor, Cruden Construction, is set to complete the work on Birkdale’s new £19m state-of-the-art care village, following its appointment by leading care operator, Belong.
With a strong background in care sector construction, Cruden takes over the reins from original contractor, Pochin, which been working on the Oxford Road development when it went into administration last year.
Once complete, it will be the fifth Belong village built by Cruden in the last decade, including other sites in Didsbury and Crewe.
Expected to open in 2021, the Birkdale village will provide class-leading dementia care and high-specification accommodation for over 100 people, including 24-hour support across six extended family-sized households and 30 one and two-bedroom, independent living apartments, which are available to buy or rent.
At the heart of the village is a vibrant hub with a range of amenities, including a bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and function rooms.
Outreach services will also be available to people in the wider community, including Belong’s award-winning home care offering, Belong at Home, and a specialist day care service.
Speaking of the appointment, chief finance officer at Belong, Chris Hughes, said: “Cruden has a sound track record working with us on previous villages and we are delighted to be partnering with them again to complete Belong Birkdale.
“With a new timetable for a 2021 village opening confirmed, we are confident our award-winning services and facilities will quickly prove an asset to both older people and the wider community.”
Managing director of Cruden Construction, Ian Woolrich, added: “We are thrilled to have secured a fifth project with Belong and look forward to resuming work on the Birkdale development.
“We take great pride in the fact that every village we build together is creating a place that will deliver real benefit to the local area and its people.”
The architect for the scheme is Altrincham-based, Pozzoni Architecture, which has designed the village to feature distinctive details and materials inspired by the West Birkdale Conservation Area, including Reigate Medium Multi brickwork, stone cladding to apartment balconies, and feature window surrounds.
The project is backed by Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Group, a leading specialist real estate investor.