UK’s tallest tower outside London among Manchester approvals
Manchester City Council signed off Salboy’s 76-storey Viadux Two skyscraper, Glenbrook’s Whitworth Street West tower, and Vita’s latest student scheme on First Street – adding nearly 2,000 beds to the city centre across a total of 153 floors.
The tower will become the UK’s tallest building outside of London. Credit: Salboy
Viadux Two
Salboy’s 76-storey tower will become Manchester’s tallest building following planning approval.
The decision to approve was made by seven votes to three.
Standing at 246 metres, the tower will become the UK’s tallest building outside of London. Salboy’s construction partner Domis is expected to start work this year.
In March, it was revealed that Robert De Niro’s Nobu brand will operate the building in its entirety, offering 452 branded apartments and a 160-bed hotel behind its glass façade.
The project also features a standalone 23-storey tower featuring 133 affordable apartments.
Viadux Two has been designed by architect SimpsonHaugh and is taller than any other building proposed or built in the city.
Plans were lodged in April last year before they were reworked to accommodate the Nobu deal.
Historic England objected to the application on heritage grounds, arguing it would “loom” over existing historic and civic architecture and that it is “simply too tall”.
However, planning officers said they would have to take a rounded view and cannot recommend objection based on heritage concerns alone, adding that the “public benefits of development outweigh the less than substantial harm” the development would cause.
Simon Ismail, managing director, Salboy, said he was delighted with the decision and added: “Once completed, the Viadux scheme will have entirely regenerated an 80,000 sq ft brownfield site, in easy walking distance of all of Manchester’s central business, retail and leisure districts, and added almost 1,000 brand new homes to a coveted and popular location for the city’s professional population.
“As the location of not just the tallest tower outside London but a large number of high-quality affordable homes, Viadux has the potential to become a symbol of this city’s aspirations and confidence in itself.
“Viadux now promises to shape not only Manchester’s skyline for years to come but the city’s sense of identity on the global stage.”
Viadux Two is expected to generate £1.5m in council tax annually once fully occupied.
The hotel will employ more than 160 people, and it is expected the build will generate £8.1m GVA.
Greater Bridgewater Street and Albion Street will see active travel improvements and a pedestrianisation effort to make the area more walkable, to bring activity to the area.
Trevor Horwell, chief executive, Nobu Hospitality, said: “Manchester is a vibrant, world-class city, and we’re proud to be part of a project that will bring the Nobu experience to this destination through a truly exceptional mixed-use project.
“Alongside our signature Nobu Hotel and Restaurant, the Nobu Residences will offer a unique opportunity to live the Nobu lifestyle.
“Viadux 2 represents the kind of visionary development we seek—integrated, design-led, and rooted in cultural and community connection.”
Ian Simpson, co-founder, SimpsonHaugh, added: “Viadux’s phased development has required vision, a pioneering approach, and innovation to bring life back to an urban area in Manchester City Centre on a challenging site that incorporates the restoration of a Grade II listed brick viaduct.
“Viadux Phase 2 will see the development of a beautiful and elegant mixed-use building that will define the Manchester skyline, providing high-quality private and affordable homes and an amazing world-class hotel.”
Deloitte was the planning consultant for the scheme.
The planning application can be viewed by using the reference number 139715/FO/2024.
Sheppard Robson is the Whitworth St scheme’s architect. Credit: Our Studio
Whitworth Street West
Developer Glenbrook’s 44-storey tower overlooking Deansgate off Whitworth Street West has been designed by architect Sheppard Robson and will add 364 flats to the city centre.
The decision to approve was made nine votes to one with one abstention.
Plans indicate a BTR housing mix of 120 one-bedroom flats, 218 two-bed, and 26 three-bed homes.
Glenbrook’s scheme will feature three-storey terracotta arches at its base, allowing for the bottom three floors to be used as lounges, workspaces, and health and wellbeing facilities covering 7,800 sq ft.
Councillors raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing in the scheme, which the developer claimed was due to viability constraints.
Deloitte was the planning consultant acting for Glenbrook on this scheme.
Daniel Roberts, development director, Glenbrook, said: “Manchester City Council’s decision to approve our scheme demonstrates its commitment to sustainable urban development.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a huge transformation, and as a Manchester-based developer, we are incredibly excited that our project will form an integral part of its future.
“With planning now secured, we will be working closely with our project team to appoint a main contractor later this year and start on site in the first quarter of 2026.”
Tony O’Brien, partner, Sheppard Robson, added: “We are thrilled that this design has received positive feedback from the planning committee.
“This is not only an important addition to Manchester’s skyline but also a project that will play a major role in improving the streetscape.
“By opening up the site with our carefully considered public realm strategy, we are creating vibrant spaces and pathways that enhance connections across this part of the city.”
To view the planning application, use the reference number 141773/FO/2024.
The Vita scheme will reach its highest point at 33 storeys. Credit: via planning documents
First Street
Developer Vita Student is set to build a c-shaped, part 12, part 33-storey PBSA block at plot 9B off First Street.
Approval was granted with nine votes to one abstention.
The Tim Groom Architects-designed scheme will offer 841 student beds at a range of price points, with 129 rooms set to be affordable.
According to plans, the scheme could contribute around £26m GVA to the economy.
The Vita block will be built on a one-acre brownfield site within a cluster of student accommodation buildings and a short walk from the Oxford Road Corridor.
Of the rooms, 15% would be affordable, available on a discounted rent with help from Manchester Metropolitan University.
To view the application, use the reference number 141786/FO/2024.
Glenbrook scheme is a belter!
By Anonymous
I like tall buildings and I like Simpson’s but there are other architects out there and they are not all in Manchester, they don’t even have to be from the UK. This area is saturated by very similar looking buildings already.
By Anonymous
It’s hard to believe that right up to the 2003 the CiS had been the tallest building in Manchester for decades and now this is taller than two of them stacked on top of each other. How far we’ve come !
By Anonymous
Fantastic. True game changer for the city is Viadux2. Well done to all involved and Fred putting his money where is mouth is and investing in his home area. Get those spades in the ground asap.
By Bob
I recall when the Simpson glass tower that was proposed up on Aytoun Street (now home to the Holiday Inn) was scrapped and thinking what a shame, that would have been really different for the city skyline – how little we knew that the practice had about another 30 of the same design ready to pop up on the other side of town 😐
With the exception of Wren, I’d question whether any architect should have such a monopoly on a skyline. But hey, at least the Glenbrook tower is different 🙂
By Anonymous
Lovely! Get them built 🙂
By Steve
You will be able to see Manchester from the Wirral soon as Liverpool is that flat
By Anonymous
Enough now. How many more monstrosities does Manchester need!
By Chris
3.59pm Hmm Tim Groom’s House of Social on First Street is very un-Simpson like (and it is massive)!! Go have a look.
By Anonymous
Not to flog a dead horse but thats taller than One Canada Square Canary Wharf and that really will be a very impressive achievement. How refreshing to have a serious “Manchesters tallest building” proposal actioned (looking at you OneHeritage)
By H
Pretty boring as per usual. But if it’s tall and boxy we’ll pass it!
By Sue denim
Manchester will soon be indistinguishable from any old town in Arizona or Colorado. Not sure why we can’t do better.
By Not Impressed
The Mcr skyline is saturated with bland skyscrapers. Time to call in international talent.
By MacDopel
Who will be the first to break through 100 floors?
By Anonymous
There are reasons why Simpson gets all of this work
By Anonymous
Great news!
By Tom
Can you not use proper English? Outside London, not outside of London. And Manchester already has the tallest tower outside London. Not outside of!!!
By Ed Glinert
Congratulations Simpsons and Salboy on an exceptionally ugly tower!
By Anonymous
Great news but why is it Simpson and Haugh again, they clearly cannot bring anything fresh to the table with their repetitive designs, enough of them time to work with some other architects
By mike
Another bland tower from Simpsons which will no doubt have a woefully designed windswept public space.
By Anonymous
Viadux is a game changer for the city and Whitworth West Street but not so sure about the first street building…..
By Supertall specialty
The article in Prolific North about Rolls Royce makes interesting reading this morning. Something huge is happening to Manchester’s economy, and this is only the start.
By Elephant
Greater Bridgewater Street and Albion Street will see active travel improvements and a pedestrianisation effort to make the area more walkable
_______________________
Seen the plans, the addition of pedestrian signals is a positive but the cycling provision is laughable. Paint and advance stop lines do not provide adequate protection for cyclists
By Avid Cyclist
Surely manchester needed a statement tallest tower. This clearly isn’t it! Come on give this city the tower it deserves
By Anonymous
Heartless, soulless with a motorway running through it.
By Roy
You may be using Northern English not Southern English. Northern English is essentially Norse which made a bigger contribution to Old English than Saxon, which explains the striking difference between English grammar and German grammar. So write “outside of London” if you want; maybe our Viking forebears the Norwegian/Danish settlers did. So, do not let any outsider tell you how to write or what to do. Be a Viking. Good luck.
By Anonymous
Wow, that’s huge , we’ll be able to see all the way to sue’s house from there, maybe even the IoM 😎.
By Anonymous
I get the ‘can we have some towers by other architects’ argument, fully. But this is the wrong one to complain about. This is the same development patch as the Beetham, any builds here were always going to be by Simpson.
Now let’s hope they finally fill the gap immediately next to the Beetham too!
By Anonymous
Great proposals for the City Council and investors, but not for Manchester residents. A 2-bed in Viadux 1 is already around half a million — and Viadux 2 will likely be even more expensive. The Glenbrook scheme is BTR (with a rent for 2 bed projected to be around £2000+ per month), which just highlights how out of reach these developments are for most locals. The next generation of Manchester residents simply won’t be able to afford to buy anything and be the renters generation. Glory days! At least it’s great for Council Tax revenues… despite Council Tax rising every year! Great, whoop whoop. At least we will enjoy a nicer sky line view…I guess, can not wait…
By Anonymous
Manchester is going to dominate us! OMG
By Liverpool's Insecurity
Affordable homes in Viadux? Ok I could be cynical and say how affordable but this is the city centre and you can’t expect too much. Also I think people get confused by the colour of the cladding Simpson Haugh often use. There are actually a few different shapes of towers as we all know but changing the glass and cladding to something more more like the Victoria tower would on its own make a significant difference to the look..a nice brownish hue. Also a mast that King Kong could swing out of would help but I’m reaching now. Overall great to have this in Manchester!
By Ivor Biggen
So much bitterness in the comments as expected hahahha. Manchester lalala. Onwards and upwards for the City. Cant wait to spend my hard earned money on a nice spa trip followed by a meal in Nobu restaurant every now and again as a treat for working hard. Plenty of options in the city now.
By MCR
I like all of these some good designs and not a bungalow in sight. What some people would give to have just one of these ! Tall but not boring 😎
By Sue Dofed
I think their large insistent thrustiness intimidates some people. I like the street view of that Glenbrook tower especially . Only 44 storeys though..hard to believe a tiddler by Manchester standards now.
By Anonymous
Very concerned about the wind, it’s already bad from Axis!
By Anonymous
That green cycle lane in the illustration doesn’t go across *Great* Bridgewater Street in the Section 278 drawing. But great that they are finally installing controlled pedestrian crossings there to get between the Deansgate tram stop and the Bridgewater Hall. Just need to prevent vehicles on Medlock Street from going ahead from the right-turn lane and merging, causing the daily horn beeping.
By Albert
People saying that the skyline is saturated with bland skyscrapers, they’re skyscrapers! And ad skyscrapers go they’re actually pretty good. The only reason out-of-the-ordinary skyscrapers are built is when there is a valid reason, like here in London, and even then the only reason they can afford to go way out on design and materials is because the land value in London permits it. 99% of skyscrapers worldwide are pretty ordinary. Imagine Manchester filled with the type of residential towers we see in Dubai!! No way….there is something to be said for understated and clean…
By Cristoforo
They do some nice developments Glenbrook but must be so hard for a young person on an average wage in Manchester to find somewhere to live that’s affordable.
By Anonymous
Will cast a shadow all the way up to Cheetham Hill.
By Bentley Driver
Good news but why not build a tower that looks like a mill chimney keeping in character
By Dan
Well they’re certainly not skimping on this one..5 yrs to build apparently partly because of the need to rebuild the old railway undercroft that it’s on top of. like Viadux one there’s a lot to be done underground before we see this rise to its full height .
By Anonymous
Will be able to see the Liver building from the 10th floor
By Anonymous
I look at PNW from abroad now and again to my old stomping ground in the north west and can scarcely believe not only the amount of development but the scale of some of it taking place across Manchester over the years now.Truly mind boggling in the face of recession ,covid, Brexit, Geopolitics and war the place never stops. If only the rest of the North and Midlands had that kind of energy Britain wouldn’t have such a negative outlook. Sadly so much of that is influenced by a Government and its ‘helper’ NGOs being largely in the same place and the difficulty in Britain of raising investment capital..also concentrated in one place. Only Manchester seems to have learned how to work with that.
By Swiss Tony
A visual aberration like all of SH designs. A veritable eyesore for Manchester
By Mike
Eyesore ?!…Jealousy more like ! Don’t worry even if you don’t get one like this you can still visit. This is of course wonderful 🥳
By Donna
Well said Donna. The usual hate for Manchester. It really is an unbelievable achievement for a city which in the 90s, got excited about the building where Selfridges is. All those people condemning this, are forgetting the hundreds of men and women getting paid excellent salaries for building it, and the jobs created when it is finished. If people want to go back to days when everything was boarded up between the Village and The Hacienda why are you living here?
By Elephant
Even as a proud scouser, I have to admit there is no denying that Manchester is king now and will be for the foreseeable future.
By Can't deny the apple pie
Hello Donna, I’m a parisien I live in Paris people who visit our city do not want to see skyscrapers and the one skyscraper we do have which is the Montparnasse tower everybody hates. In my view the future is not skyscrapers. Manchester is starting to look like Dallas. Where’s the interest? If the city is desperately seeking to build skyscrapers then recruit architects of renown such Norman Foster or Renzo Piano. They have done splendid work in New York and in France. Simpson tower needs a redesign in my view.
By John
If you actually lived in Paris a city I know very well you’d know La Defense has many towers and is the business district. All successful Cities choose districts to put towers in for a reason and this is the model Manchester has chosen. As one of Europe’s fastest growing cities it must continue this. Renzo Piano would be nice but a Norman Foster Tower too…maybe when he’s finished just down the rd he’ll do a tower. It’s only a matter of time. The city still needs that signature modernist building but this isn’t bad and in the meantime let the rabble rouse. As Donna said..and if that’s really all they’ve got you know the city is doing something right!
By Anonymous