Plans set out for a huge new tower reveal it will overtake Renaker’s 71-storey Lighthouse and dwarf the Beetham Tower.

Salboy has unveiled its plans for its Viadux Phase Two project – which will stand next to the Beetham Tower at 76 storeys high, and will feature 780 apartments.

Beetham Tower claimed the title as the tallest tower in the city upon completion back in 2006, until Deansgate Square’s South Tower overtook it in 2018, holding the record ever since.

However, Renaker’s 71-storey Lighthouse project is soon set to overtake South Tower which will be a huge 213 metres tall, located in plot D near Deansgate Square and Mancunian Way.

But the newly revealed Salboy plans show that Viadux Phase Two could then overtake that, being five storeys taller than plot D – though the property developer has not released an accurate height of the proposed skyscraper just yet.

Viadux Phase Two A – its official name – will contain around 780 ‘high quality’ new apartments in the larger tower, with plans to build a 23-storey smaller tower next to it.

The smaller tower is called Phase Two B and will contain around 130 affordable new homes that the developers say ‘contribute towards the need for city centre affordable housing’. Built in two phases, the Viaduct project will provide 900 new dwellings.

Salboy’s Viadux Phase One is almost ready to open its doors to the public – which is a 40-storey block located next to the Beetham Tower containing 362 apartments.

A statement on the consultation website reads: “Phase Two follows the same design principles as Phase One, but look to increase the level of ambition further still.

“The Viadux Phase Two tower will become the focal point of this cluster of tall buildings and make a visually striking addition to Manchester’s skyline.”

Salboy’s plans have changed from the original  263,000 sq ft 15-storey tower of offices that was originally proposed – but the developer says it has shelved those ambitions.

The statement continued: “The land in between the Beetham Tower and Viadux Phase One has approval for an office building, approved as part of the Beetham Tower development, but never delivered.

“This site will be redeveloped as a new distinctive diamond shaped building, to be delivered as new affordable homes in the heart of the city centre. 

“The building will be elevated above the public realm stair and lift with new shops or cafes opening onto the viaduct. Moving east, beyond Viadux Phase One, the new 76-storey residential tower will replace the previous plans for a large office on the site.

“To complete the wider city block, we are exploring options to place a smaller retail building facing onto Albion Street to create a new edge to the city street.”

Subject to approval, Salboy hopes to start work on the tower in 2024.

A drop-in event for those wanting to look at the plans will take place on December 4th from 4pm to 7pm at 53Two, on Watson Street.

A stunning new development is offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments in – what is currently – the tallest tower in Salford Quays.

Eda is the new 29-storey building with 290 apartments available now, situated at the top of Erie Dock in the heart of Salford Quays. 

Eda’s furnished apartments include king-size beds with ottoman storage, corner sofas and TV units, to name a few – all bespoke designed by Eda and unique to you.

With floor to ceiling windows looking out over the Quays and the Manchester skyline, Eda’s apartments are bright and spacious with open plan living areas.

Each apartment has a modern fully-fitted kitchen with utility storage, comfortable and spacious bedrooms with bespoke designed fitted wardrobes, and relaxing bathrooms all finished to a high standard.

And, it doesn’t stop there – you can even bring your pet at no extra cost too.

Other amenities at Eda include a 24-hour concierge service, a cinema room, a gaming room, a private dining room and a landscaped garden terrace. It also has a Co-op store downstairs for your convenience.

With paddle boarders, kayakers and an occasional brave swimmer, this location is where the city meets the open water. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy a varied social life while staying local.

This cosmopolitan area boasts scenic walks along the dock where you’ll also find plenty of shops, The Lowry Theatre, Imperial War Museum and Media City UK.

For foodies, or those looking to catch up with friends over drinks, there’s The Botanist, The Alchemist, Seven Brothers, Unagi, plus Kargo – the huge new 20-vendor food hall.

With plenty more places to eat and drink, as well as a Quayside Makers Market that features every last weekend of the month, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

You can even catch the tram from the nearby Metrolink stop at Anchorage. From here, you can easily travel into the city centre or around to places including Chorlton, Didsbury and the Trafford Centre.

Apartments will be ready to move into from Friday, September 22nd.

Click HERE to register your interest, or come and say ‘Hi’ anytime. Now open 24/7, the team will be more than happy to show you around.

You can find them at Eda apartments, 5 Anchorage Quay, Salford, M50 3BR. 

Brand new images reveal how Debenhams on Market street in Manchester city centre will look after it has gone through a huge transformation.

The iconic Grade II listed building currently stands empty on the bustling shopping street and is in need of some TLC. Once a busy department store, the empty building which was home to the household brand, is now covered in graffiti after it fell into administration in 2020.

Debenhams was later bought by Manchester-headquartered fashion giant Boohoo but all its stores were closed, leaving the site, known as the Rylands building, looking sad and in desperate need of a facelift.

Last year, global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha, based in Munich, confirmed that works were to get underway to breathe new life into the structure and transform it into a mixed-use development compromising retail, leisure and office space.

However, after Debenhams vacated it fell victim to vandals as it had its windows smashed and became covered in spray paint — which saw it dubbed as the city’s scruffiest building.

Situated close to Piccadilly Gardens, the multi-storey building was originally built in 1932 as a warehouse by J. Gerrard and Sons of Swinton for the Rylands textile company. It was designed by local architects, Fairhursts, in an Art Deco style, complete with a decorative corner tower and zig zag window ledges.

Exciting new digital images have revealed how the derelict site could look after it has undergone a major glow-up with works set to commence this year. The £68.5m redevelopment project was approved by Manchester City Council in January 2021. 

The plans will see the upper floors of the grand building turned into high-quality, modern office spaces while the ground floor will be home to a new shopping arcade. A four-storey extension will also be added onto the site.

Enabling works for the transformation of the vacant building have already begun, with main works scheduled to start in 2023 and completion expected in early 2025.

Construction company Russell WBHO is acting as a construction partner for the project while property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove are letting agents for the building.

Stephan Schmid, Senior Vice President at AM alpha: “Working with listed buildings is always a great privilege. We are proud to be able to give this historic Manchester landmark a new future and restore Rylands to its former glory in a very sustainable way.

“In this way, we are also helping to achieve Greater Manchester’s 2038 carbon neutrality target.” 

Local construction company Russell WBHO, which specialises in listed and sustainable projects, will act as a construction partner for the project, while local property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove have been appointed as letting agents. 

“It’s fantastic working with AM alpha on such an exciting project in our home town. Rylands is a well-known, impressive building,” says Will Lewis, founding director at OBI.

“The property is close to bustling areas such as Piccadilly Gardens and the Northern Quarter and will appeal to many local businesses. Due to the sought-after location, we already see a lot of interest from potential future tenants.”

Gareth Russell, founder and managing director of Russell WBHO: “We are delighted to be working with AM alpha to revitalise the historic Rylands building and position it in the market as a highly sustainable building. With our extensive experience in historic preservation and sustainable building, we will make AM Alpha’s vision a reality.”