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23 Sep 2025

Discover the Top Urban Regeneration Hotspots of 2025

Category: Regeneration

The UK remains a top location for property investment, and with many cities undergoing extensive urban regeneration, there are many opportunities for investors to secure incredible capital growth.

But where are the top hotspots for urban regeneration in 2025? We have identified 3 of the top hotspots leading the way for urban regeneration.

Author: Sophie Hope

Digital Marketing Executive

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What is Urban Regeneration?

Urban regeneration is the process of revitalising and upgrading older, often derelict areas within cities to improve living conditions and economic prospects. Its main aim is to breathe new life into underused spaces and brownfield sites, transforming them into vibrant, functional parts of the urban landscape. This process offers a wealth of opportunities, including new infrastructure, enhanced quality of life, increased desirability, and rising property values. Regeneration projects are typically funded through a mix of public and private investment and play a crucial role in supporting the sustainable growth and long-term success of cities.

There are 3 types of urban regeneration: economic, social, and environmental.

Economic urban regeneration focuses on increasing business and employment in the city. This can be achieved through the development of new office spaces, improved connectivity, and high-quality housing, making it easier to secure a home and work in the area.

Social urban regeneration aims to improve the quality of life for individuals living in the area. Developing schools, welcoming hospitals, and creating entertainment facilities are just a few of the projects that can be seen in special regeneration efforts.

Environmental urban regeneration is where projects aim to improve the local environment. Many of these projects involve adding green spaces to cities and installing additional cycle or pedestrian routes throughout the area.

Where are the Top Urban Regeneration Hotspots of 2025?

Manchester

Often referred to as ‘the capital of the North’, Manchester’s thriving economy has become the envy of many UK cities. As a result, it has gained attention from property investors all over the world. Manchester boasts some of the most promising investment opportunities in the UK. The property market in Manchester is unparalleled.

Consistently, it ranks as one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK, both in population and its economy. The regeneration projects rolled out over the past few decades across Manchester have been a driving force behind the city’s growth, earning it the international recognition it deserves.

For property investors looking at Manchester, regeneration projects on this scale will have a direct impact on property prices. Hence, Manchester’s prices have increased by a staggering 139% over the last 20 years.

Top Manchester Urban Regeneration Projects:

Spinningfields – 1.5bn

Spinningfields has been home to much of Manchester’s financial businesses and restaurant scene. This part of the city has been designed to be Manchester’s “central business district”, a reputation propelled further as key figures such as PwC, Deloitte, HSBC and Barclays host operations there, along with property investment opportunities that provide some of the highest rental yields across Manchester.

NOMA – £800m

The NOMA estate covers approximately 20 acres and is one of the city’s top urban regeneration projects. Since the planning was approved in 2009, NOMA has become an important commercial destination, which supports the city’s key strategic objectives. Regeneration at NOMA has created commercial spaces, jobs, leisure spaces, new homes, and more.

Old Trafford Stadium – £2bn

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of Manchester United, has presented an incredible £2 billion idea to build a new 100,000 seater ground that can be utilised as a national venue, to replace the current Old Trafford Stadium. This project will bring many benefits, including the creation of 92,000 new jobs, over 17,000 additional homes, and a predicted 1.8 million extra annual visitors to the area.

Leeds

Leeds is gleaming with Victorian architecture, home to numerous distinguished buildings such as The Leeds Corn Exchange. It doesn’t take an expert to recognise that Leeds is a fantastic opportunity for property investment.

Leeds is booming – a thriving economy, skyrocketing property values, and one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects in motion. With capital growth consistently ranking among the top five UK cities, this is a prime opportunity for investors looking to maximise returns and secure long-term growth.

In recent decades, Leeds, the fastest-growing UK city, has experienced population growth seven times faster than London. As a result, demand in Leeds is massively exceeding supply, creating ample investment opportunities.

Top Leeds Urban Regeneration Projects:

Leeds Train Station – £500m

Leeds train station has become a gateway hub of international significance. Most notably, the project included a new interchange for people changing trains, to cater for increased capacity as Leeds becomes a popular business hub. The new station has become a driving force to support the huge economic growth of the city.

Leeds South Bank – £210m

This mammoth project aims to double the size of Leeds city centre. Spanning the size of 350 football pitches, Leeds will be transformed into a ‘globally distinctive’ destination for living, learning, creativity, leisure, and investment. It is expected to create 8,000 new homes and 35,000 new jobs.

Climate Innovation District – £250m

The Climate Innovation District will turn an unappreciated area of Leeds into a green, mixed-use neighbourhood of 516 low-energy homes with integrated amenities for everyday life. The district will become a world-class exemplar of smart, urban living, with an exceptional level of off-plan properties and opportunities for buy-to-let investments in Leeds.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a huge contributor to the Northern Powerhouse, boasting a GVA of over £32 billion. With a population of approximately 2.3 million, it ranks as the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the UK.

The property investment opportunities are endless for Liverpool. With an abundance of regeneration projects in the pipeline, Liverpool’s economic prowess continues to grow year on year. This is attracting enormous investment from global companies choosing to relocate office space there.

In 2019, Liverpool ranked as the ‘Best UK City for Buy-to-Let Yields’, with five of the ‘Top 10 Best Postcodes’ for rental yields situated in the city. These high yields are no surprise, as Liverpool has the perfect formula for profitable investment property.

Top Liverpool Urban Regeneration Projects:

Liverpool Waters – £5.5bn

The award-winning £5.5 billion regeneration of Liverpool Waters is one of the most noteworthy regeneration projects in the UK to date. Two million square metres of Liverpool’s waterside will be transformed into five new distinct neighbourhoods. The area will become a space to live, work and play, and it will be a radical vision for the city.

Knowledge Quarter – £1bn

Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is home to some of the most powerful names in science, technology, health, and education. Over £1 billion has been spent on enhancing the area to become a hub of business, as well as a study centre for 54,000 students. Regeneration is ongoing, with the latest plans transforming the surrounding area of Paddington Village. This project will be a magnet for successful businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Anfield Project – £260m

The Anfield Project has transformed the community that sits in the surrounding areas of Anfield Stadium, Liverpool’s world-famous football club. The scheme has created 1,000 new homes and expanded the stadium to a capacity of over 61,000. One of Liverpool’s most famous and beloved neighbourhoods was revitalised, breathing life into the private and public sectors.