Crane goes up at student tower site
Shepherd Construction has erected a 99-metre tower crane as construction progresses on developer Student Castle's 37-storey accommodation block next to Oxford Road station in central Manchester's.
The £45m building will rise to 112 metres when it completes in 2012, second only in height to the Hilton tower by Beetham at 301 Deansgate.
The 520-bed development, designed by Hodder + Partners, will accommodate undergraduates, postgraduates and international students with a mix of self-contained studio apartments and cluster-style communal accommodation.
The crane will initially only operate at a height of 54 metres but as construction progresses, the height will increase to 99 metres.
Peter Millett, managing director of Shepherd Construction's west division, said: "Having completed the preparation of the ground we are now starting to build skywards and people will notice a real transformation in the site."
Student Castle is backed by Carphone Warehouse directors Charles Dunstone and Roger Taylor. The company has live projects in Newcastle and Cardiff and is targeting a dozen university cities around the country.
Drivers Jonas Deloitte advises Student Castle.
Is it me or is this construction firm fascinated with how big their tower and crane are. Sounds like a serious case of little man syndrome… And I bet he wears a pink shirt on a night out. Merry Christmas.
By 6 footer
Yes I do wear pink shirts and 5ft 4 is tall for my family.
And a happy new year.
By Anon
And what’s wrong with a pink shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Anon