FEC tops out 37-storey Victoria Riverside tower
CR Construction is building the 275-apartment Crown View, the third residential block in the developer’s 634-home scheme in Manchester’s emerging Red Bank neighbourhood.
Far East Consortium has celebrated the topping out of its 37-storey tower, the tallest of the three Hawkins\Brown-designed buildings being developed as part of the wider Victoria Riverside project.
The other two towers, the 26-storey Park View and the 18-storey City View, both topped out earlier this year.
Once complete, Crown View will feature more than 4,500 sq ft of amenity space in the form of co-working spaces, a bar and lounge, a gym and yoga studio, and a private dining area.
CR Construction was appointed in 2021 to build all three towers in the Victoria Riverside scheme, which will overlook a new 113-acre park.
Hilary Brett, development director at Far East Consortium, said: “The topping out of Crown View represents a significant milestone in the regeneration and emergence of Red Bank.
“As the tallest tower within Victoria Riverside, it will act as a gateway to the new neighbourhood we intend to deliver in the coming decade.”
Victoria Riverside is one of the first schemes being brought forward as part of FEC and Manchester City Council’s £4bn Victoria North masterplan. The masterplan will create 15,000 new homes over the next decade.
FEC saw success in August with another two Red Bank-related applications, receiving planning permission to build a total of 4,800 homes across 35 acres of brownfield land along the River Irk.
The developer has also partnered with housing association L&Q to market Victoria Riverside’s City View tower, which represents one of the largest developments of affordable homes in Manchester city centre in recent years.
Cllr Gavin White, executive member for housing and development at Manchester City Council, added: “The topping out at Crown View is not just a ceremonial milestone, but a mark of the progress being made in the transformation of this part of our city and a sign of what is to come across the wider Victoria North area – including the joint venture’s aspiration for 20% affordable provision.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity and we are seeing its potential being met in the development of Red Bank into a diverse and sustainable community, complemented by quality public realm and attractive green space.”
Vicky Savage, executive group director of development and sales at L&Q, said: “Tackling the housing crisis is a top priority, and these new homes will form a significant part of delivering on that commitment.”
Love the history of Redbank and this part of town generally but so glad that it’s got a future too . Will be amazing to see 15-20 years from now.
By Anonymous
Nice development. Good to see it flying ahead.
By Anonymous
This is great news and great to see redbank neighborhood come in to its own existence and offer another angle for passers by to the skyline and city centre.
Onwards and upwards so to say.
By ZiffZaff
L&Q are one of the biggest affordable housing developers in London and on almost every flat on every development there you will see a balcony.
But not in Manchester. Shame on MCC’s planning department for allowing these to be built without balconies but shame on L&Q too for investing so much money in a scheme that they would not deem acceptable for their customers in London.
By Balcony watch
37 storeys is not bad but would have liked to have seen a 50 storey tower here
By Giant Skyscraper Fan
These look cool in the flesh but have to agree about the balcony situation. Lots of green space to be provided on this one to partly make up for it but it’s not the case on the majority of other schemes.
By Anonymous
@November 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
By Balcony watch
If you look carefully at the lower, brick, elevations, you will see some balconies.
London has balconies on apartment blocks because of the city’s design code and space standards guide.
By Rye&Eggs
I love a balcony as much as the next person – as a general comment would argue that just because MCR doesn’t have a design guide doesn’t mean that developer should go in with a minimum value proposition. That said, you are nuts to think that organisations like L & Q aren’t currently repricing their rates of return with wider changes in the finance market and in truth were this scheme proposed now, then it might well be a marginal call for someone like L & Q to fund full stop. In current climate, even without balcony, this is a winner – onwards and upwards comrades!
By Anonymous