Embassy Village, the pioneering new Manchester community designed to support people experiencing homelessness, has officially completed construction beneath 22 transformed railway arches in Castlefield.
Developed through a pro‑bono collaboration of more than 130 businesses, Embassy Village represents a national first in scale and ambition.
The project delivers 40 high‑quality, fully furnished homes, each offering residents their own front door and the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Built on land provided by Peel Waters and driven by the Greater Manchester‑based charity Embassy, the completed village includes a fully equipped village hall, a multi‑use sports area and mini allotments.
More than 1,800 plants that have been planted in the newly created outdoor areas – all designed to support wellbeing, community spirit, and independent living.
Residents will also receive six hours of personalised, support each week, alongside training in cooking, budgeting, work readiness and more.
Embassy Village’s completion is the culmination of years of partnership between Embassy, Peel Waters, Capital & Centric, Vermont Construction Group (who delivered the build at no profit), and a city‑wide team of architects, engineers and consultants donating their expertise for free.
Embassy Village Manchester has been funded through a £3.5m donation from The Moulding Foundation, £1.7m of Brownfield Development Funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as well as substantial donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, Benefact Trust and many others.
In addition to financial funding, many key components of the build have been donated to keep costs down, including all of the windows, air source heat pumps, bed frames and furniture.
Official launch
More than 200 people joined the celebrations at the official launch event on site.
Catering was provided by Therme Manchester, which is currently under construction at TraffordCity.
A local graffiti artist spray‑painted the logos of all 130+ businesses who supported the build -creating a vibrant, permanent tribute to the partners who made the vision a reality.
Completed home at Embassy Village in Manchester (credit Peel Waters)
Guests were also invited to sign a brick, marking the historic moment the build completed and symbolising the community ownership at the heart of Embassy Village.
With construction now complete, Embassy’s work doesn’t stop here. The charity is actively fundraising to cover ongoing operational and staffing costs, crucial to delivering the exceptional wrap‑around support, one‑to‑one guidance and employment pathways that help residents build sustainable, independent lives.
To support staffing, training and services at Embassy Village, please contact Embassy via: www.embassyvillage.co.uk/get-involved
Sid Williams, director, Embassy Charity, said: “For six years we’ve been carrying this vision and to finally stand in it is amazing.
“I’d have been nobody’s first choice to build it. I’ve not even built an extension before! God has a sense of humour and is just looking for a heart that’s up for it.
“I have been so humbled by over 130 organisations, mostly local businesses who’ve given funds, people, time and materials to get this done. It’s nothing short of a quiet miracle under the arches.
“While the build is complete, we have six new full time support roles to fund and so it’s not too late for companies and individuals to support the venture.
“We can’t wait to upscale the number of people we can support from March, as they leave homelessness behind and start a brighter chapter. What a huge privilege!”
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: “Watching Embassy Village reach completion is one of the proudest moments of my career.
“Walking through the finished homes and seeing this once‑forgotten space transformed into a place of safety, dignity and hope is incredibly moving.
“What makes it even more special is knowing that this wasn’t achieved by one organisation alone, but by an entire city coming together with compassion, generosity and belief in what’s possible.
“I am profoundly proud of everyone who has contributed; every business, every volunteer, every partner who gave their time, skills and heart to make this vision a reality.
“Embassy Village shows what can happen when Manchester unites behind a purpose. It will change lives for years to come, and I’m honoured that Peel Waters has played a part in helping create a new beginning for so many.”
Mark Connor, CEO, Vermont Construction Group, added: “Embassy Village exemplifies how innovative design and collaborative partnerships can address some of society’s most pressing challenges. Working alongside our partners at Peel Waters, Embassy and Capital & Centric, we’ve reimagined what’s possible beneath 22 railway arches.
“This project isn’t just about building homes; it’s about creating a sustainable community with purpose-built facilities that give residents the support and skills they need to rebuild their lives.
“Homelessness is a huge issue in Manchester as the city has some of the highest numbers of rough sleepers in the country, so this project goes far beyond just bricks and mortar.
“Embassy Village sets a benchmark for how developers can use innovation not just for commercial gain, but to create meaningful, lasting change in our communities.”
Tim Heatley, co-founder at Capital & Centric, and chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, also added: “This project began with a repurposed bus and a belief in people. Today’s launch isn’t the finish line, it’s the beginning of the real work ahead.
“We’re proud to have been on this journey with so many organisations and individuals that have helped us make it happen.
“This is Greater Manchester coming together, unlocking hidden potential in places and people to end homelessness.”
Those who made it possible
The organisations that have supported Embassy Village with funding, services and material donations, include: 29th May 1961 Trust, 7Consulting, Abbacus Consult, AC1, Active Flooring, Adept, Advantage Pumping Solutions, AEW, Albert Hunt Trust, Alexander Dawn, Aluprof, Apollo Sealants, Arcadis, Arcaero, Azura Soft Furnishings UK, Base Aura, Benefact Trust, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Bishop Radford Trust, Blaze Marketing, Bloom Academy, Broken Colour, Capital & Centric, Cara Brickwork, Cardinal Marritime, CDM Services, CEF, CH Civils, Cheshire Scaffolding, Christopher Williams Trust, Concrete Design Detailing, Connectus, Crown, Cundalls, Curtins, Cushman & Wakefield, CWC, Daikin, Deloitte, DGA, Dowager of Countess Eleanor Peel Trust, Dutchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, Edmond Shipway, Element Sunstainability, Engineering integration, Enviroply, Equans, Euan Kellie, Everite Fenstration, EWS Group, Far Logistics, Fastrack, Fisher acoustics, Flair Foundation, Font Comms, Garfield Weston, Gateley, GMCA, Goodnews Evangelical mission, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, Greater Manchester Police, Hardscape, Hill Dickinson, Hobson Charity, Hollywood Monster, Ian Farmer Associates, Indigo Litho Print, Jewsons JSP, JM Passive Fire, John Matthews Architects JMA, Jook Contracts, K10 Systems, KPS Kitchens, Laltex, Lauderdale Trust, LM Group, LOFT, Manchester City Council, Manchester Guardian Society, MCT Joinery, Mente, Metroline, MW Windows, National Lottery – Awards For All, NR, OFR, OHS, One Agency, Our Studio, Panda, Paul Butler Associates, Peel Group Foundation, Peel Waters, Planit-ie, Powerline, Poynton Baptist Church, Prestige Beds, Prestige Steel Fabrications, Radar Electrical, Ramp Church, Rehau, Rhodar, Roma Finance, Safe Hire, Shaw Contract Management, Shoosmiths, Sigma Capital, Squire Patton Boggs, Stuart Energy, Sunbelt Rentals, Survey Solutions, Sweco, Task, Tekflo, Temperature Control, TFGM, The Environment Partnership, The Lancaster Foundation, The message Trust, The Moulding Foundation TMF, The Seedfield Trust, Therme Manchester, Tileflair, Together Money, UK Gov, Unilin, Vermont, Wardell Armstrong, West Coast Geomatics, Workspace, Wrights Landscapes, Yesss Electrical.