The creation of an iconic landmark tower on this site was seen as an opportunity to create visual connectivity with the city centre, creating a destination and attracting activity to the south of the centre.

The scheme brings the 24hr activity of a busy hotel to the street with living spaces from studios for young professionals to family dwellings above. Visible from every route into the city, the tower is a statement of Manchester as an urban centre for living, working and relaxing.

The distinctive profile of the tower is created by two simple gestures: The apartment component is articulated by cantilevering the residential accommodation out beyond the hotel below at the sky bar, Level 23. This creates the dramatic stepped form. The glazed skin of the buffer zone to the south façade cantilevers 25m above the top floor level to form a crystalline “blade”.

Fundamental to the success of this scheme was the efficiency of the design. The careful coordination between Structural Engineering and MEP ensured efficiency of design and construction. Innovations such as advanced Fire Engineering delivered a highly efficient core solution whilst the use of passive ‘buffer zones’ and CHP delivered an energy efficient scheme.