St Michaels Tower, Manchester
In August 2017, the St. Michael’s Partnership, led by former-footballer Gary Neville, submitted revised plans and opened a public consultation for a proposed £200 million St. Michael’s development in Manchester. In June 2018, the project was given the green light to go ahead after the consortium of investors were told that it would not be called in by the Secretary of State.
Plans for the 1.5-acre Jackson’s Row site in the city centre include a 134 m-tall mixed-use tower designed by Hodder + Partners, containing offices, 170 flats and a 200-bedroom hotel.
Earlier proposals, which involved two towers, were heavily criticised by heritage groups who argued that they threatened to ruin historic parts of Manchester as well as the skyline.
The latest proposals include:
- Retaining the Sir Ralph Abercromby pub in recognition of its community importance.
- Retaining the façade of the former Bootle Street police station which ‘contributes positively to its surroundings’.
- A 2m lower tower.
- Rotating the tower by 90-degrees, making it more slender and ‘less obtrusive’.
- A commitment to build a new synagogue, with the support of its congregation.
The new St. Michael’s tower is designed in a lozenge shape with a floating canopy at its crown, supported by a three-storey colonnade to residential space below. The new designs include extensive glazing and a bronze façade which, it is claimed, ‘bring a lighter, more transparent approach than the original tower design’.
There is no timetable for construction works, but it is expected to take three years. Construction will be carried out by Chinese contractor Beijing Construction Engineering Group.
Neville said; “We are delighted that the Secretary of State has decided to not call in our revised plans for St Michael’s and that the vision for this landmark mixed-use scheme will be realised. It’s been more than a decade since the idea to regenerate a strategic city centre location was first considered – and our whole team is very pleased that we can focus on delivering this project for Manchester, bringing new high-quality development that will enhance the city’s position both nationally and internationally.”
Content and images courtesy of St. Michael’s Partnership.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA 2022 Apprentice of the Year Award returns
Winner from last three to be announced in September.
The end of the games but continued calls for action.
From the Commonwealth Association of Architects.
CIOB respond to the government call for evidence
For the Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Committee.
How are buildings and their occupants responding to extreme heat?
BSRIA's Technical Director reflects on recent weather patterns.
Landownership in England in 1909
A national valuation to fund old-age pensions.
The world’s largest Commonwealth memorial to the missing.
Long after the end of the defects liability period.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing in buildings.
Geometric form and buildings in brief
From the simple to the complex.
Understanding the changing nature of insulation
And the UK Government guidelines.
Three year action plan to improve equity, diversity and inclusion
Commitment agreed to by major built environment bodies.
The Construction Route – what needs to change?
Electrical skills, low carbon, high-tech and the building services revolution.
Deep geothermal power possibilities
Ultra-deep drilling with millimeter-wave beam technology.
BSRIA Briefing 2022- From the outside looking in
Looking at the built environment from space.
Competence requirements for principal contractors and designers
BSI standards 8671, 8672 and 8673.
Bringing life to burial grounds.
From failed modernism to twenty-minute neighbourhoods.
Design chill and design freeze
The gates process and change control.
Neuroscience for project success
Why people behave as they do. APM book.