City West picks Forrest for £20m high rise contract

Preston-based builder Forrest has won a contract worth up to £20m to deliver the next phase of City West Housing Trust’s high rise programme.

The firm was chosen after a competitive exercise led by City West’s customers.

Four high rise blocks in Eccles, Greater Manchester will be renovated inside and out over the next two years, to designs influenced by Salford painter LS Lowry.

The blocks’ external walls will be painted in Lowry’s chosen colour palette of ivory, black, vermillion, Prussian blue, white and yellow ochre.

The project will take City West two thirds of the way through its plan to revamp 12 tower blocks.

Energy-efficient doors and windows and insulated render will be fitted, and the grounds around the blocks will be landscaped.

Interior work will include new kitchens and bathrooms, re-wiring, and the refurbishment of communal areas.

Forrest will use energy-efficient technology to cut emissions associated with the work by 40%.

Colette McKune, City West’s director of asset management, said: “Forrest has experience of carrying out such work to high rise blocks and presented a very comprehensive package with great focus on customer liaison, which is a crucial aspect of our work.

“We are looking forward to working with them as we continue our investment programme to create sustainable homes and inspirational communities that people are proud of.”