Faraday Building, University of Manchester, c Google Earth snapshot

The building was partially knocked down in 2016. Credit: Google Earth

PP O’Connor lands Faraday Tower demolition

4 November 2026 09:55 Neil Tague Comments ()

The Trafford Park-based contractor has been appointed by The University of Manchester to raze the vacant 13-storey Sackville Street building in a two-year project.

Part of the the former UMIST estate, the building was designed by Harry Fairhurst, and completed in 1967, housing the School of Chemistry up until 2007.

The university, working with Buro Happold, trailed its demolition in May last year. Located off Sackville Street, the western portion of the building and link bridge were demolished in 2016 to facilitate the construction of the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre.

PP O’Connor said that while the building has been maintained since its closure, more recent structural tests have made it clear that it has reached the end of its life and cannot be economically refurbished, with complete demolition the most appropriate way forward, removing the risks associated with the deteriorating structure and preparing the site for future redevelopment.

The work programme will involve an extensive soft strip and decontamination phase, preparing the building for structural deconstruction by tower crane down to slab level. The works, estimated to take place over a two-year period, will conclude with the removal of all demolition arisings and waste, leaving a safe, secure site aligned with the University’s requirements for future redevelopment.

Martin O’Donnell, division managing director of demolition at P.P. O’Connor, which also works in civils, waste management and earthworks, said: “Faraday Tower’s removal is the right decision for the site and the wider Sackville Street area. It’s another example of the kind of large-scale, demolition work that’s helped reshape Manchester’s skyline over the years and we’re proud to be trusted with delivering it.

“Our team specialises in this kind of complex, safety-led deconstruction work and our focus throughout will be on protecting the surrounding community and the University campus while removing the building safely, cleanly and to the highest standards.”

Work is expected to start before year end, marking PPO’C’s latest major project in Greater Manchester.

The contractor is currently carrying out enabling works for the redevelopment of Stretford Mall, and has recently brought down the former GM Police HQ at Chester House in Old Trafford to make way for a new 1,200-home neighbourhood.