Glenbrook lodges ‘boundary-pushing’ Manchester tower proposal
The developer’s vision for a 44-storey residential building at 2-4 Whitworth Street West has taken a step closer to reality after the submission of a planning application to Manchester City Council.
Unveiled last year, the tower– which would provide 364 apartments – would sit opposite Deansgate tram station and east of the railway station.
Demolition of the two existing buildings, Wrendal House and Whitworth House, will be required before any work can begin.
A range of one-, two-, and three-bed flats distributed across the tower’s upper 41 floors will be offered.
Plans indicate a housing mix of 120 one-bedroom flats, 218 two-beds, and 26 three-bed homes.
A landscaped and accessible public realm at the foot of the tower would welcome tenants who would enter the building, passing underneath three-storey terracotta arches.
The next three floors would offer ancillary accommodation in the form of resident lounges, workspaces, and health and wellbeing facilities, spanning a total of 7,800 sq ft.
Car parking is not included in the scheme, with residents being encouraged to walk or use nearby public transport.
364 apartments are proposed. Credit: Our Studio
Daniel Roberts, development director at Glenbrook, said: “We have used our extensive experience of delivering high-quality residential developments and feedback from our operational partners to ensure Whitworth Street West truly responds to the requirements of residents, both now and in the future.
“We believe this development and its exceptional location offer the opportunity to push the boundaries of city-centre living, and we’re hugely excited about the prospect of bringing such a prestigious building to market.”
He added: “We have explored every opportunity to reduce the development’s carbon footprint, resulting in the current scheme exceeding RIBA’s 2030 Climate Change Target credentials.”
Tony O’Brien, partner at Sheppard Robson, which has designed the scheme, said: “By opening up the site, we are creating vibrant public spaces and pathways that enhance connections across this part of the city.
“The building’s terracotta, high-performance façade references both the existing and historic context, while introducing a distinctly modern addition to the evolving skyline of Manchester.”
Glenbrook hopes to appoint a main contractor this year, with work set to commence in early 2026.
Deloitte is the scheme’s planning consultant, landscape and urbanism practice Layer.studio designed the public realm.
Consultants on the project include Hilson Moran, AKT II, Futureserv, OFR, Mainer, Curtins, Quartz, and GIA.
The scheme can be found on Manchester City Council’s planning portal, using the reference number 141773/FO/2024.
Lovely design, absolutely adore the arches at street level. My only reservation is we’ve already lost a reasonably handsome redbrick next-door to a developer who clearly had no intention of actually delivering anything. I hope we’re not about to lose two more handsome red-bricks for nothing. MCC should seek guarantees that this will be built immediately following demolition, though I understand that’s not exactly possible within the parameters of our planning system
By Anonymous
first day back and already a cracker!
Love this scheme, ground floor activation is ace!
By Groovy
Good to see that Glenbrook are confident that the Building Safety Regulator will deal with the Gateway 2 stage within the 12 week period.
By Anonymous
I like the arched entrance.
By Elephant
44 storeys, 364 apartments, but no parking. That makes perfect sense
By Big Des
some of the manchester towers are better than many in london these days! 🙂
By Anonymous
The site on 10-12 Whitworth Street West remains empty following the demolition of an attractive red brick building which wrapped the corner next to the City Road inn. Why is this not being developed before the last 2 remaining red brick warehouse’s are demolished in the plans for this site.
By Anonymous
That’s a nice surprise to start the new year off with. Love the design especially at street level. I hope they maintain the quality.
By Anonymous
0% affordable housing as usual. Central govt will need to do away with viability assessments if any AH is ever going to be built.
By Anonymous
Another umbrella destroyer for this area. No hope of third track through Deansgate train station. Looks nice though.
By Mary Poppins
Any proposals for quad-tracking Castlefield are already killed by the amount of demolition that would be required for such a thing. Not least the Grade I listed Refuge/Kimpton Hotel.
By Anonymous
If MCC actually did want developers to meet affordability requirements, but was frustrated by what it could legally insist on, or flaws with national policy as it has sometimes claimed, under a Labour government it could be making some noise, lobbying for change, or joining with the other core cities.
But they aren’t are they, for some reason? Changing Leader and Chief Exec doesn’t seem to have put much of a dent in an embedded MCC culture of giving developers whatever they ask for and disregarding pretty much any other factor.
By Anonymous
It absolutely amazing design of Glenbrook Tower and red brick on the ground floor it absolutely perfect. It the middle of between two station it which is very easy walk to Deansgate station and Metrolink station it is excellent idea because it travel to anywhere from there which is perfect planned. Absolutely lovely design I like it. I think it 100% go head build up yeah I considered it. Wonderful
By G J Kitchener
Deansgate Locks is a bar and nighclub zone, ideally the floors from 3 upward to about floor 10 should be aparthotel to prevent long term residents complaining about noise.
By Dr B
Their decision to focus on residential development is really paying dividends. Looks a fantastic building. Hope it sails through planning.
By Anon
Affordable housing here ! You have to laugh at them 😅
By Anonymous
Yet more grey . Depressing .
By Anonymous
Times change and needs move on but these red brick buildings have probably stood for at least 150 years. Will their replacements still be here in 2200?
By Sbt
Bags of affordable housing within 15/20 minutes of the city centre. Some people just want to be gifted a top apartment.
By Peter Chapman
@Big Des, no parking provided makes complete sense. It’s right next door to the most connected Metrolink stop in the entire urban area. It’s right next door to a main line station as well. It’s easy walking distance to Oxford Rd station. It’s the city centre where pretty much everything anyone needs is in easy walking distance. If you need a car, don’t move into here. Move somewhere else. Simple and logical
By EOD
Smartest residential developers in the City. Good luck with the scheme, looks great.
By Devco
Nice bit of Brown and red and a decent looking design. I approve for what it’s worth.
By Ned
This shows what can be achieved with a little imagination. Street interface is really impressive, a pleasure to walk or drive past and an enhancement to the existing steetscape.
By Observer
Super design and nice to see a different architecture firm given a bite at the cherry
By Cal McLocal