Manchester City Tower, Manchester

One of Manchester’s many modern attractions, City Tower is a focal point of the city’s commercial district, standing 30 stories high next to the transport hub of Piccadilly Gardens, at the eastern end of the city centre. The tower was originally built in the 1960s, an architectural era that created little to cherish in British cities. Until recently, the building had become run-down and under-used, but has become a towering symbol of Mancunian regeneration. Purchased by local developers and redesigned by local architects Covell, Matthews & Partners, the building was given a modern face lift, both inside and out.

New glass panels were added to the front and sides of the building, with large screens fitted close to ground level. A new reception area was added on the ground floor, and the modernised tower saw its plentiful office space begin to fill up again. City Tower, known as Sunley House until the recent refurbishment, is currently Manchester’s 3rd tallest building, and stands out amongst the Victorian buildings that surround it, when viewed from Piccadilly Gardens. Increased development in Manchester mean that the tower will become less prominent in future years, as further skyscrapers are added to the city’s burgeoning skyline.