MIPIM | Renaker’s Whitaker reflects on transformation of Manchester’s skyline
In a rare public appearance, the chairman and founder of Manchester’s most prolific developer spoke about what has enabled his company’s recent success.
You got the impression that most people on the Manchester stand on Wednesday morning at MIPIM were there to hear from Daren Whitaker.
He seldom speaks in public and prefers to let Renaker’s track record for delivery do the talking. The packed event provided a rare insight into how the developer thinks.
Without Renaker, Manchester would be 8,000 homes lighter and the skyline would look very different.
The man who leads the team responsible for that seismic change was full of praise for the city council. The authority has paved the way for Renaker’s cluster of towers at Great Jackson Street, including the tallest building in the UK outside of London, South Tower at Deansgate Square.
Darren Whitaker, second from right, appeared on the Manchester stand. Credit: Manchester Invest Partnership
While the soaring skyline is seen by many as a symbol of Manchester’s prosperity and ambition, not everyone is a fan of Renaker’s work, something Whitaker acknowledged.
“In terms of criticisms, [there are some] about the landscape and the skyscrapers and whether that is the right architecture and urban of planning solution,” he said.
“I think that’s always going get conflicting opinions.”
While not everyone likes tall glass towers, Whitaker said that the sites the company chooses are ideal for high density.
“We work in the city core…we work hard with the city council on public realm and the connectivity between our buildings and the connectivity between our buildings and the creation of new districts.
“On brownfield difficult regeneration sites that is costly.”
Deansgate Square changed Manchester’s skyline. Credit: Place North West
Whitaker also acknowledged that Renaker would not have been able to do what it has done as fast without support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has provided the developer with tens of millions in loans from its devolved housing fund.
He neatly sidestepped a question on the company’s record on delivering affordable homes – another source of criticism – citing the viability constraints attached to delivering skyscrapers on brownfield sites.
He chose instead to focus on what Renaker has provided for Manchester; a GP surgery and Manchester’s first city centre primary school in 20 years, not to mention thousands of badly needed homes.
“That’s not done easily, it is done at a really huge cost,” Whitaker said. “But that creates a placemaking arena that hopefully holds good for the city for years to come.”
Whitaker might not be the most comfortable in the limelight but he is confident in his product and in Manchester. He described the city’s population growth as an “unprecedented opportunity for regeneration”.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the strength of Manchester and how unique an environment we have,” he said.
“It is absolutely special and a shining light in the UK in terms of that stability, delivery, and that fundamental demand.”
Manchester’s ability to retain students and create jobs is a potent combination for Whitaker, whose work in the city is far from done.
While the Renaker has delivered 8,000 homes so far, it has another 8,000 or so in its 10-year pipeline, including another 70-storey tower in New Jackson, that is currently in for planning.
If Manchester continues to attract people, Whitaker will continue to build.
In the years ahead, he is naturally keen to see the city double down on its pro-development agenda and implored the city council to maintain its role as facilitator.
“All these regeneration opportunities are tough, in a certain economic climate, a different point in time,” he said.
“We need to not be overly prescriptive so that that investment opportunity does not fall short.”
Place North West MIPIM 2024 coverage is sponsored by Together. Visit Place North’s MIPIM hub to find the latest news from Cannes.
