Plans for a group of sky-high towers which are set to “define what Manchester looks like for future generations” have been given the green light. Five new skyscrapers located in the Deansgate area of Manchester and developed by Renaker, which includes a 71-storey tower block which could become the city’s tallest building, were approved by the city’s planning committee.
Already home to Deansgate Square, where the city’s tallest building (South Tower) is currently situated at 200m (656ft) tall, the 71-storey building, which is part of the next phase of the Great Jackson Street development, is expected to overtake it. The largest of Renaker’s tower blocks, referred to as Plot D in planning documents, is set to be 213m (698 ft) high and is currently in a race with developer Salboy’s proposed 241m (790 ft) high block as to who will be the first to complete their high-rise building.
Renaker’s four other towers, which includes Contour, will be either between 47 or 51 storeys tall, and will feature a dog spa, Mahjong room, podcast recording studio and a virtual golf driving range. Plus, the towers will boast a range of amenities such as private garden terraces, indoor suites and lounges, a gym, a Peloton spin space, a workspace area, a dog park and more.
These new approved skyscrapers aim to fit into the ‘masterplan’ for the Manchester area, which Renaker has already built, including luxury 200m-high Deansgate Square towers, a primary school, medical centre, and a public square. As for Plot D, this will feature a restaurant on the 71st floor with jaw-dropping views of the city and will be accessible to the public via a dedicated ground floor lobby and bank of lifts.
Despite the new Manchester skyscrapers being approved by the council on August 29, some councillors expressed concerns regarding the lack of affordable homes among the 2,388 flats.
In a meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor, Richard Kilpatrick, said: “It will be the skyline of the city. It will define what the city looks like for future generations. The area I find hardest to understand is the lack of affordable housing element or section 106. I note this cannot even be made in part, not just the 20 percent.”
Labour’s Councillor Basil Curley added: “It’s disappointing there’s no affordable housing on site. There’s an expectation that money from this development will go to providing social and affordable housing elsewhere. We know the crisis in housing is so vast that section 106 will not fix it but it will help… particularly for people on housing waiting lists.”
Section 106 contributions are payments developers make to councils in lieu of providing affordable housing, which authorities can spend on other projects. For this development, Renaker has agreed a deal with Manchester City Council to pay £37,180 through section 106.
Renaker’s agent at the planning committee meeting, John Cooper, said the schemes would create 923 construction jobs, and a further 133 roles once the towers are completed. A construction start date and completion date for the new Manchester skyscrapers are yet to be determined but watch this space, or should we say, the skies.