Planning permission for residential tower on Whitworth Street, Manchester

Image: courtesy of Sheppard Robson

Sheppard Robson, on behalf of client Glenbrook, has received planning permission from Manchester City Council for a 44-storey residential tower on Whitworth Street West in Manchester. With 364 apartments, the building's design embraces modern, sustainable design principles while being rooted in its context through new public spaces that enhance the streetscape and improve pedestrian connections.

The design draws on the heritage of the area with the façades referencing the tones and detailing of local landmarks. The new building's deep red terracotta façade, grand arches, and elegant column details nod to the City’s heritage, while the scheme has been designed to embrace modern technologies that improve thermal and acoustic performance, ventilation, and daylighting.

At ground level, a dramatic triple-height, arched colonnade—a subtle reference to the architectural language of the listed viaducts and industrial heritage—provides a pedestrian route along Whitworth Street West. This strong base for the building creates connections to the newly created landscaped public spaces flanking the building and strengthens the links between Whitworth Street West, First Street, and Deansgate, offering amenities and increasing biodiversity in the area. Resident spaces on the ground floor, Level 1, and Level 2 will further animate the streetscape around the building.

The articulation of the three-storey base grounds the building within its context, while the continuation of the primary material up the height of the tower creates a coherent expression across the entire structure. The emphasis on vertical elements helps unify the tower with its base, while the horizontal stratification of the façade visually breaks down the building's mass, responding to the layout and organisation of the floorplates.

The massing has been carefully shaped to respond to the surrounding urban context, with a lower three-storey setback aligning with nearby streetscape elements while the 44-storey tower integrates with the emerging tall building clusters in New Jackson and Deansgate. The reduced building footprint creates space for a new active public realm and improved pedestrian routes.

The design features a 60/40 solid-to-glazing ratio to its façade, which reduces solar gain while allowing natural light and purge ventilation. Energy-efficient technologies help to minimise energy use and support a low-carbon future for the building, while off-site construction methods and modular façade systems reduce material waste during construction.

Tony O'Brien, Partner at Sheppard Robson, said:

"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.”

Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, commented:

“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.”