Urban regeneration on the Horizon: £10m bridging loan supports Old Trafford redevelopment project.

Old Trafford is on the brink of transformation.

While headlines focus on Manchester United’s proposed £2 billion stadium, dubbed ‘the Wembley of the North’, the real story for investors and developers lies in the surrounding area.

Regeneration projects are set to reshape this iconic area of Manchester, echoing the growth seen around other major sports and hospitality hubs, including the Eastlands area surrounding Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

One developer leading the charge is Liverpool-based Legacie, whose new ‘Horizon’ redevelopment will convert a 161,505 sq ft former office block on Talbot Road into much-needed residential apartments, supported by a £10m unregulated bridging loan.

The ask

The success of Horizon hinged on Trafford Council granting a change of use under permitted development rights (PDR), allowing the conversion of the office building into 304 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

As one of the UK’s leading privately-owned property developers, Legacie was confident in securing approval but knew that some lenders would be hesitant to commit until permissions were confirmed, particularly for the level of funding required.

They needed a specialist property lender with the appetite and flexibility to back the vision, not just tick boxes.

The solution

Having already established a strong working relationship with Together, Legacie approached us to provide the £10m bridging loan they needed to purchase £13m Oakland House.

Ritchie Watson, Corporate Sales Director at Together, said: “We’ve worked in partnership with [Legacie] founder John Morley on large-scale projects in Greater Manchester and Liverpool, as well as an impressive scheme, The Hive, in Luton.

We believe Legacie’s latest development, Horizon, will add to the vibrancy of the area and boost the local economy by providing quality accommodation in the heart of Old Trafford.

Together is delighted to have been able to provide the short-term finance for the building’s acquisition, allowing Legacie to achieve their property ambitions.”

The result

With the purchase complete and permissions granted, CEO John Morley expressed his excitement for the project and future. “As we look ahead to 2026, Horizon shows that our ambitions aren't slowing down. They're accelerating. Legacie is entering the new year with purpose, energy and a stronger-than-ever vision for delivering exceptional places to live and work, whilst continuing to make our mark on the skylines across the North West and beyond.”

At Together, we’re committed to supporting investors and developers with the flexible finance they need to bring ambitious projects to life.

Speak to our dedicated team of regional experts, based throughout the UK, to see how we can help you.