Manchester’s Changing Skyline

It’s brick, Jim. Brick is never bland. :-)

It’s going to look superb.

It wouldn’t look out of place in New York or Chicago.

View attachment 122028

View attachment 122029

View attachment 122030

The thing is Jim, apart from London, there isn’t another UK city that has got such a fantastic mix of old and new buildings, (Manchester red) brick and glass buildings, side by side, in juxtaposition to one another, creating an interesting, varied, and vibrant street scape. That’s why I love walking around Manchester City centre. New and interesting streetscapes and city centre districts are being created all the time as the city centre grows outwards, and ghost car parks and derelict plots of land in and around the city are being redeveloped with new buildings.
Agreed 100% about brickwork. It knocks spots off concrete or cladding. But....... It's bloody purple/violet/maroon/indigo/whatever label you want to stick on it.
 
It’s brick, Jim. Brick is never bland. :-)

It’s going to look superb.

It wouldn’t look out of place in New York or Chicago.

View attachment 122028

View attachment 122029

View attachment 122030

The thing is Jim, apart from London, there isn’t another UK city that has got such a fantastic mix of old and new buildings, (Manchester red) brick and glass buildings, side by side, in juxtaposition to one another, creating an interesting, varied, and vibrant street scape. That’s why I love walking around Manchester City centre. New and interesting streetscapes and city centre districts are being created all the time as the city centre grows outwards, and ghost car parks and derelict plots of land in and around the city are being redeveloped with new buildings.
Is it brick or brick clad though?

I’m with @jimharri on this. All we’ve got is mass and density at the minute. Not one stand out modern building.

Mind you; I’ve been thinking about this. How many cities actually do have one (or more) stand out buildings? Particularly modern ones? Not many cities do I would argue. Think of London and you think of the Shard or the Gherkin. Think of New York, One World Trade centre, Empire State and the Chrysler.

I just want one goddamned one that stands out from the rest, and that you associate with Manchester. The Beatham tower is probably it at the moment which has surprised me as it’s grown on me since it was put up.

Don’t get me wrong, the development in town is brilliant. I just wish the architecture was more ‘interesting.’
 
Is it brick or brick clad though?

I’m with @jimharri on this. All we’ve got is mass and density at the minute. Not one stand out modern building.

Mind you; I’ve been thinking about this. How many cities actually do have one (or more) stand out buildings? Particularly modern ones? Not many cities do I would argue. Think of London and you think of the Shard or the Gherkin. Think of New York, One World Trade centre, Empire State and the Chrysler.

I just want one goddamned one that stands out from the rest, and that you associate with Manchester. The Beatham tower is probably it at the moment which has surprised me as it’s grown on me since it was put up.

Don’t get me wrong, the development in town is brilliant. I just wish the architecture was more ‘interesting.’
Thank you. You can stay!
 
Agreed 100% about brickwork. It knocks spots off concrete or cladding. But....... It's bloody purple/violet/maroon/indigo/whatever label you want to stick on it.

If the weather holds out this weekend I’m going into town. I’ll make sure I’ll take some close up pictures of the House of Social brickwork.
 
Last edited:
Is it brick or brick clad though?

I’m with @jimharri on this. All we’ve got is mass and density at the minute. Not one stand out modern building.

Mind you; I’ve been thinking about this. How many cities actually do have one (or more) stand out buildings? Particularly modern ones? Not many cities do I would argue. Think of London and you think of the Shard or the Gherkin. Think of New York, One World Trade centre, Empire State and the Chrysler.

I just want one goddamned one that stands out from the rest, and that you associate with Manchester. The Beatham tower is probably it at the moment which has surprised me as it’s grown on me since it was put up.

Don’t get me wrong, the development in town is brilliant. I just wish the architecture was more ‘interesting.’


Bar the Shard, the Gherkin, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, and the dreadful Walkie-Talkie in London, and maybe Beetham tower in Manchester, I don’t think any other UK city has a residential or office tower that is instantly famous or recognisable.

In my opinion St Michaeal’s tower will be recognisable due it’s design, cladding, and location close to Manchester Town Hall and the Civic Quarter, and Viadux 2, because of it’s sheer height and elevated location, rather than it’s design.
 
Is it brick or brick clad though?

I’m with @jimharri on this. All we’ve got is mass and density at the minute. Not one stand out modern building.

Mind you; I’ve been thinking about this. How many cities actually do have one (or more) stand out buildings? Particularly modern ones? Not many cities do I would argue. Think of London and you think of the Shard or the Gherkin. Think of New York, One World Trade centre, Empire State and the Chrysler.

I just want one goddamned one that stands out from the rest, and that you associate with Manchester. The Beatham tower is probably it at the moment which has surprised me as it’s grown on me since it was put up.

Don’t get me wrong, the development in town is brilliant. I just wish the architecture was more ‘interesting.’
1718140247377.jpeg
 
Bar the Shard, the Gherkin, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, and the dreadful Walkie-Talkie in London, and maybe Beetham tower in Manchester, I don’t think any other UK city has a residential or office tower that is instantly famous or recognisable.

In my opinion St Michaeal’s tower will be recognisable due it’s design, cladding, and location close to Manchester Town Hall and the Civic Quarter, and Viadux 2, because of it’s sheer height and elevated location, rather than it’s design.
I hope you’re right matey, but only time will tell. It does look decent to be fair.

As an example, I was watching a programme set in LA the other night. I can’t think of one recognisable building there! Am I being ignorant??
 
Is it brick or brick clad though?

I’m with @jimharri on this. All we’ve got is mass and density at the minute. Not one stand out modern building.

Mind you; I’ve been thinking about this. How many cities actually do have one (or more) stand out buildings? Particularly modern ones? Not many cities do I would argue. Think of London and you think of the Shard or the Gherkin. Think of New York, One World Trade centre, Empire State and the Chrysler.

I just want one goddamned one that stands out from the rest, and that you associate with Manchester. The Beatham tower is probably it at the moment which has surprised me as it’s grown on me since it was put up.

Don’t get me wrong, the development in town is brilliant. I just wish the architecture was more ‘interesting.’
Love this place. Would probably never get commissioned today, and may never get to be completed- and therein lies part of its beauty.

1718140924185.jpeg
 
More brick at street level, this time at One Port Street.

McCrory Holdings.

Things are really taking shape now at the Port Street Project for Renaker.The blockwork and brickwork is flying up so keep on the lookout for regular updates.

IMG_1410.jpeg

IMG_1409.jpeg

IMG_1411.jpeg
 
The Syndney skyline without the world famous Sydney Opera House.

Would you say any of those towers would be instantly recognisable?

One Barangarro, far right, currently Sydney’s tallest tower, looks good and interesting. The rest of the towers aren’t anything to get excited about in my opinion. But everyone raves about the Sydney skyline, which is probably more to do with the setting, Sydney Harbour, than anything else. To be fair to Sydney there are some different shaped towers.

IMG_1407.jpeg

IMG_1408.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Far East Consortium- Linkedin

Things are taking shape at Victoria Riverside.

Having celebrated the topping out of all three towers at our Victoria Riverside development in Manchester back in November, we headed back to site to see how things have been progressing since then and were pleased to see the new neighbourhood shaping up nicely!

Once complete, the three properties will provide 634 homes, including 128 affordable homes in City View tower – one of the largest developments of affordable homes in Manchester city centre in recent years, which is being marketed by housing association L&Q.

IMG_1412.jpeg
 
It’s brick, Jim. Brick is never bland. :-)

It’s going to look superb.

It wouldn’t look out of place in New York or Chicago.

View attachment 122028

View attachment 122029

View attachment 122030

The thing is Jim, apart from London, there isn’t another UK city that has got such a fantastic mix of old and new buildings, (Manchester red) brick and glass buildings, side by side, in juxtaposition to one another, creating an interesting, varied, and vibrant street scape. That’s why I love walking around Manchester City centre. New and interesting streetscapes and city centre districts are being created all the time as the city centre grows outwards, and ghost car parks and derelict plots of land in and around the city are being redeveloped with new buildings.
That's a VERY VERY nice building
 
  • Like
Reactions: jrb
Found this short video of Manchester’s (Beetham tower) skyline.

No1 Spinningfields is under construction, and the cranes are onsite at Deansgate Square. I’m guessing the year is 2016 from those 2 clues.

 
Nathan Yates - Linkedin

One Port Street in the distance through the window.

57328F78-E083-4154-A625-2D16D7EC24B5.jpeg

Swan Street House

3F42C971-99F2-43A3-AB63-C65157F4EAEC.jpeg

Greengate Park, and Bankside, nearly clad.

DA618C5D-9924-4C61-9534-2C3574B71B77.jpeg
 
You can see the steel frame overhang in the picture.

Jennie Harrison - Linkedin

Today.

479A108C-C55D-4CAA-88BD-E8A653DFA0CC.jpeg

82AF8023-E2F2-4B8D-BF05-2F18BA16C0BD.jpeg
 
The Syndney skyline without the world famous Sydney Opera House.

Would you say any of those towers would be instantly recognisable?

One Barangarro, far right, currently Sydney’s tallest tower, looks good and interesting. The rest of the towers aren’t anything to get excited about in my opinion. But everyone raves about the Sydney skyline, which is probably more to do with the setting, Sydney Harbour, than anything else. To be fair to Sydney there are some different shaped towers.

View attachment 122118

View attachment 122119
Sydney harbour is a magnificent setting, one of the most beautiful in the world, but the city for me is very underwhelming and quite small.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jrb
The CGI of the proposal isn’t great. That’s if the new owners of the site build the proposal that has planning permission?

Jacob Jumani - Linkedin

Sold - Site with Planning for 89 Apartments in Old Trafford, Manchester next to Manchester United stadium. We bought before Covid from administration. A 3 minute walk away from Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club and Metrolink 4 stops away from Town.

Congratulations to the new buyers, a cracking site and location that the area is getting stronger every day! Really look forward to seeing this scheme delivered soonest! Good luck guys!

0BF89F47-BF74-4FE5-84CB-F0C5EAC92F3B.jpeg
 
If I worked there I wouldn’t get any work done.

Antonia Mihaylova - Linkedin

What a wholesome Tuesday evening at the Grant Thornton Manchester office last night!

4254927F-2359-45C4-9219-6C0694C4AA03.jpeg
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top