University of Manchester plans demolition of 1960s UMIST building
The 13-storey Faraday Tower is to be pulled down having been vacant since 2007.
The University of Manchester is working with consultancy Buro Happold on plans for the demolition of the building, according to plans lodged with Manchester City Council.
Documents state that the building, which once housed the university’s chemistry students, has been vacant for 18 years.
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.
The demolition process is expected to begin in December and conclude in October 2027, according to planning documents.
No detail has been provided as to the future of the site post-demolition. The plot is next to the ID Manchester strategic regeneration zone, which is the subject of proposals from Bruntwood SciTech’s for a 4m sq ft innovation district branded as Sister.
A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The Faraday building has been vacant for many years and while we have been maintaining it, more recent structural tests have made it clear that it is reaching the end of its life and cannot be economically refurbished, therefore we are progressing through the planning process to demolish the building.”
To learn more, search for planning reference EIASCO/25/005 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
The whole thing needs flattening
By Anonymous
A two and a half year demo? Is that right?
By Steve
Hi Steve, the whole process including investigations, soft strip, and demo will begin this December and end October 2027. Best wishes, Dan
By Dan Whelan
I’m guessing the demolition is so slow (and hopefully careful) due to the potential for it to contain some rather nasty materials and substances, for both its construction and use.
By Ian Hart
Either Total Demolition or PP Oconnor will get this job
By Anonymous
About time! I could never get a mobile signal in that building, for some reason.
By Mad Jack
Great, now move on to demolishing the buildings either side of it (John Garside and Ferranti building). This area of Manchester is a blight on the city.
By Anonymous
It will be building a new student skyscraper those areas I’ve consider as they have a plan. Hopefully good luck.
By G J Kitchener
About time these eyesores start to disappear.
By Tom