Salford’s skyline is set for a dramatic transformation after plans were approved for a £1 billion development that will include the tallest skyscraper in Greater Manchester – and the third tallest in the UK.
The tallest skyscraper in Greater Manchester – and the third tallest in the UK
The project, led by Henley Investment Management (HIM), will see ten high-rise towers built on land off Regent Retail Park in Ordsall, with the tallest reaching 895ft (273m) across 77 storeys.
The striking structure will stand 73 metres above the current tallest building in the city region, Deansgate Square, reshaping the visual identity of Manchester’s western edge.
Once complete, the development will deliver 3,300 new homes, including 660 designated as affordable housing. A community centre, parkland, and space for healthcare facilities are also included in the plans – part of what developers describe as “the biggest housing-led development in Salford for 50 years.”
A decade-long redevelopment of the tallest skyscraper in Greater Manchester
Construction is expected to take around ten years, with much of the northern half of Regent Retail Park being demolished to make way for the new residential towers. According to HIM, the scheme will bring in an estimated £3.7 million annually through council tax and generate significant economic activity for the area over its lifetime.
Hattie Charlier-Poole from Henley Investment Management said: “It’s very well publicised that the nation as a whole is struggling to build homes. This site is the right place to house a lot of people and deliver much-needed services.”
The development comes amid a critical housing shortage in Salford, where more than 5,000 people are currently on the housing register.
Despite the promise of new homes and economic growth, the project has faced significant local opposition. Concerns were raised by residents and councillors about potential overdevelopment and the strain on local infrastructure.
Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey warned that the influx of new residents would increase pressure on local services. She called on the developers to withdraw the plans and re-consult with the community, saying: “With the increase in population, there will be a need for extra GP places, school places, dentist places and a chemist, and at the moment there are still too many questions left unanswered.”
Despite the controversy, Salford City Council approved the plans, with Councillor Mike McCusker, the lead member for planning, citing the urgent need for new housing across the region.
“660 affordable homes is a huge amount that will have a massive impact on our waiting list and the lives of residents in Ordsall whose kids can’t get out the house in their late 30s,” he said.
