Academy Way
Warrington, UK
project overview
Vibrant homes contributing to a more inclusive, resilient urban environment
Academy Way brings new life to a prominent town centre site in Warrington, transforming a vacant retail unit and car park into a welcoming place to live. Delivering 240 thoughtfully designed homes, the development supports a growing shift towards more connected, town centre living.
As Phase 2 of the wider Time Square regeneration, the scheme helps build on existing investment, strengthening the town centre as a place where people can live, work and spend time. Two six-storey buildings are arranged around a shared landscaped courtyard, creating a balance between urban energy and quieter, more private spaces.
The scheme also establishes a clear foundation for future phases of Time Square, setting a precedent for quality, connectivity and town centre living in Warrington.
We focused on getting the fundamentals right, from light, layout and accessibility through to how the buildings meet the street and the spaces in between. The courtyard, in particular, plays an important role in offering a quieter, greener setting that supports wellbeing and a sense of community."
Dominic Manfredi
Project Director, Architectureproject brief
A people-focused brief for modern urban living
We were tasked with designing a high quality residential scheme that would support Warrington’s long-term ambition for a more vibrant and lived-in town centre. At its heart, we focused on:
- Creating homes that feel comfortable, accessible and suited to everyday life
- Supporting town centre regeneration by introducing a strong residential presence
- Making better use of an underused brownfield site
- Designing a place that feels safe, welcoming and easy to navigate
- Responding carefully to site constraints without compromising quality
Working collaboratively with the client and wider team, our design approach focused on shaping a scheme that is practical to build, commercially sound and positive for the people who will live there. This emphasis on deliverable design ensured the proposals remained viable, efficient and aligned with programme and construction realities from the outset.
design concept
Connecting to the town while offering a sense of retreat at home
sustainability
Supporting both environmental performance and everyday living
By bringing homes into the town centre, the development helps reduce reliance on cars and makes it easier for people to access shops, services and public transport on foot or by cycle. This supports healthier lifestyles while reducing environmental impact.
The reuse of a previously developed site also helps limit the need for outward expansion, making better use of existing infrastructure and supporting more compact urban growth.
Within the buildings, measures such as photovoltaic panels and an efficient built form contribute to lower energy use. The landscape design introduces planting, trees and green spaces that help improve air quality, support biodiversity and create a more comfortable microclimate.
Together, these elements create a development that is designed to perform well, while remaining grounded in what is realistic and deliverable.
placemaking
Shaping how the development feels as well as how it functions
The project is designed to feel welcoming, comfortable and easy to navigate, helping people feel at ease as they move through the site. This is supported by introducing homes and entrances at street level, bringing a gentle sense of activity and clearer routes that are simple to follow. This approach supports a more activated and people-led environment, contributing to the wider social value of the town centre.
At its heart, the scheme offers a quieter, greener place to spend time, supporting wellbeing and everyday moments outdoors. This takes shape as a shared courtyard garden, where residents can relax, meet others or take a break from the surrounding streets. The layout draws subtly on the site’s history, with circular forms giving the space a quiet sense of identity.
A more relaxed and human scale environment is created to encourage people to spend time outside in ways that suit them. Seating areas, planting and private terraces are arranged to feel informal and flexible, allowing for everything from socialising to quieter moments alone.
The wider setting is designed to feel more attractive and connected, helping the development sit comfortably within the town centre. Public realm improvements around the site support this, creating a more people-focused environment that links naturally into surrounding streets.
key information
Project summary
Client
Habiko
Location
Warrington, WA1 2NT
Value
£45m
Completion
Ongoing
Includes
240, one and two-bedroom apartments
Landscaped courtyard
Team
Meet the team behind the project
Contact
Interested in
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