Urban Splash hosts 25th Anniversary rave - Celebrating more than two decades of transforming UK towns and cities

The “Gold Diggers Ball” saw famous faces including DJ Graeme Park, Coronation St star Craig Charles, celebrity chef Andrew Nutter and council leader Sir Richard Leese party alongside Urban Splash founders Tom Bloxham MBE and Jonathan Falkingham MBE. Other guests included a host of developers including David Russell and James Whitaker; artists Pavel Buchler and Hillary Jack; there were also award winning architects like Glenn Howells, Phil Coffey and Hazel Rounding of shedkm - as well as Mike Perls from MC2 and Time Out founder Tony Elliot . In the packed out room we drank, ate and reflected on 25 years of many successes, many highs, many lessons – and many lows – whilst dancing to the brilliant DJ sets by The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club and Graeme Park.

The pair first established the brand in 1993, tackling disused and unloved buildings in Manchester and Liverpool and turning them into in-demand apartments and workspaces.

In that time, the Castlefield-headquartered company has created more than 5000 homes at New Islington, 3 Towers and Castlefield in Manchester, Irwell Riverside and Chimney Pot Park in Salford, Liverpool’s Ropewalks, Birmingham’s Rotunda building, Plymouth’s Royal William Yard, Saxton, Park Hill and Lister Mills in Yorkshire and Lakeshore in Bristol. It has also created more than 1 million sq ft of workspace, won in excess of 400 awards and been heralded internationally – including making the coveted ‘Cool Brands’ list and entering the shortlist for the Stirling Prize for its work at Park Hill.

Today the company is pioneering larger scale communities at sites around the country, the team has also pushed convention by moving into modular housing, with two sites in Manchester alone. In March this year, Urban Splash acquired its own offsite production facilities in Alfreton in the East Midlands, allowing it to create up to 400 houses per year.

Speaking at the bash, Chairman Tom Bloxham said: “I’m honoured really. It’s been incredible to share the room tonight with so many brilliant people – each of whom has their own tale to tell about Urban Splash.

“We’ve worked really hard since 1993 to transform areas and structures that others didn't want to, we helped make the city centres of Manchester and Liverpool viable places to live – when we started out they shut down at 6 o’clock – now they’re filled with homes, bars, restaurants, cultural events and they’re constantly growing and expanding. More than 40,000 people now live in Manchester and I’m pleased we helped kickstart the appeal of urban life.”

Hosted in the Grade II listed Albert Hall, the party was attended by architects, designers, Urban Splash colleagues past and present plus their families and friends; they were each treated to food, fizz and fine of tunes with DJ sets by Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club and Graeme Park – whose 90’s rave vibe was a nod to Urban Splash’s establishment in the city’s Hacienda era.

Concluded co founder and creative director Jonathan Falkingham MBE: “Our 25 year journey has been anything but easy, but reflecting tonight, we are beyond proud of everyone who has been a part of the story so far.

“Back when we started out we were told ‘It will never work’ – I’m delighted that we’ve pushed the boundaries and disproved that philosophy; great design, a disdain for the mediocre and a great team has got us here. Here’s to the next 25 years!”