Having lived in Manchester continuously since 1952, I have seen it change over the decades, considerably for the better.
I strongly support the construction of these residential towers.
The accommodation they provide is clearly wanted, since otherwise the flats would not sell. I like their appearance, and consider that the influx of city centre residents is transforming our city very positively.
I look out at the skyscraper towers from my flat on the other side of the Mancunian Way. It is true that they can look wonderful in the evening light and are very photogenic at night. However “they loom over (St Georges estate) like a gang of encircling bullies” (to borrow Eamonn Canniffe’s phrase). They feel alien and domineering to me as I walk into the centre of Manchester, their hostility to the lowly pedestrian felt on windy and wet days as I approach Elizabeth Tower or walk the alleyway into Deansgate Square to get to Home. In the weather we have had this winter a pedestrian stands no change of getting any protection from an umbrella which is instantly turned inside out by the wind that is exacerbated by the towers. The towers’ scorn towards the person in the street is exemplified by the pieces of decking planks roughly nailed into tatty off-cuts of wood to retain the granite chipping laid down beside Elizabeth Tower.
At least there is some feel of a street alongside Elizabeth Tower, whereas the glass monsters of Deansgate Square dispense with any definition of a street and prefer the transparency of glass so that those of us outside in the windy square can look with envy at those inside in the comfortable lobbies, bars and restaurants.
And if these are communities, where are the play spaces for children? They seem to be designed for the childless, so are not only separated from the outside wind but also from the future. There is a primary school, it has to be said, but it is pushed to the edge, overlooking a slip road to the Mancunian Way, Manchester’s inner ring road. Has any measurement been taken of the level of pollution that will be found in the classrooms and roof-top playground?
I assume he means that there are some shops and restaurants open to the general public, as well as the outdoor space being generally available (but 'public realm' which is not the same as 'public land'). Obviously you need a key fob to go into the underground parking garage or into someone's flat.
Set against that vague positive feeling, there has been a disgraceful neglect bordering on deliberate of the footpath and cyclepath route from Deansgate Square over the Mancunian Way to Hulme Park. My personal view being that the council should 'bury the Mancunian Way' at that point - i.e. cover it in a green tunnel extending the park into the city centre. Until that happens though, the current situation where a fine footbridge leads (on the Hulme side) into a pretty nice park but on the City Centre side into a rabbit warren of narrow paths between building site hoardings until you get to Deansgate Square.
Both sides are missing out - but the flat residents more - by not getting their local green space (instead probably driving to another park).
I suspect this is a debate which will continue forever, with neither side ever really being willing to concede much ground.
My own personal opinion aside, the report last year from the resolution foundation really contextualised just how much we need to grow the housing stock in the city (126,000 in “well connected areas”) to sustain the economic growth we want. These towers are an essential part of that.
The new towers in Manchester are quite photogenic I suppose. They look great on photos at dusk with their lights on ...erm I'm struggling now . I struggle to like them I think as they seem concentrated into quite a small area , Manchester City centre isn't huge, they overshadow the wonderful Victorian architecture that is left.
Someone said to me once when I complained about my small stature ' It's better to be small and to shine than be tall and cast a shadow' .
There are so many shadows being cast over Manchester now i.e Angel Meadow .
I hope my nearest city Birmingham doesn't go the same way.
I would have thought Birmingham (and pretty much every city outside London) would swap situations with Manchester in a heartbeat if they had the chance.
The fact that they’re concentrated in one area is intentional…
The powers that be and investors that may want Birmingham to be a 'Manchester' as far as tall towers are concerned probably will not live there or have to walk amongst these overpowering blocks. My opinion but I prefer architecture with less floors and glass, something more interesting.
I don't really give much thought to my environment, and I go into the city centre quite regularly so I have grown accustomed to all the new towers. What do I think of them? Well they're all the same, once you've seen one you've seen the lot. If anything, it's like being surrounded by a bunch of phallic symbols. I certainly wouldn't describe them as interesting architecture. Maybe Manchester is going to become like the city in the 1920s film, Metropolis. - or Gotham city in Batman.
Well, we have two choices to build the houses we need. We can go up, or we can go out. The role that Stockport played in breaking the Greater Manchester planning framework shows the seething outrage and cheap politics that greets going out, so we're going up instead. Ideally more councils would be pulling their weight and homes would be spread around a bit more, but alas, too many give in to existing residents rather than thinking about future ones.
I agree that Manchester has changed for the better since I returned to the city on the late 1970's. I do have some reservations concerning the claims about building communities as I cannot see much evidence of the building of schools,medical centres etc to underpin this. I may be wrong but when talking to a friend who is a health visitor in the city centre I became aware of many isolated young mothers in the towers. Many of them are cash rich but trapped by lack of language skills and family support.
I love the Manchester skyline and all the different modern designs, and I think it's a delight to discover the lovely old buildings nestling among the new ones.
Having lived in Manchester continuously since 1952, I have seen it change over the decades, considerably for the better.
I strongly support the construction of these residential towers.
The accommodation they provide is clearly wanted, since otherwise the flats would not sell. I like their appearance, and consider that the influx of city centre residents is transforming our city very positively.
I look out at the skyscraper towers from my flat on the other side of the Mancunian Way. It is true that they can look wonderful in the evening light and are very photogenic at night. However “they loom over (St Georges estate) like a gang of encircling bullies” (to borrow Eamonn Canniffe’s phrase). They feel alien and domineering to me as I walk into the centre of Manchester, their hostility to the lowly pedestrian felt on windy and wet days as I approach Elizabeth Tower or walk the alleyway into Deansgate Square to get to Home. In the weather we have had this winter a pedestrian stands no change of getting any protection from an umbrella which is instantly turned inside out by the wind that is exacerbated by the towers. The towers’ scorn towards the person in the street is exemplified by the pieces of decking planks roughly nailed into tatty off-cuts of wood to retain the granite chipping laid down beside Elizabeth Tower.
At least there is some feel of a street alongside Elizabeth Tower, whereas the glass monsters of Deansgate Square dispense with any definition of a street and prefer the transparency of glass so that those of us outside in the windy square can look with envy at those inside in the comfortable lobbies, bars and restaurants.
And if these are communities, where are the play spaces for children? They seem to be designed for the childless, so are not only separated from the outside wind but also from the future. There is a primary school, it has to be said, but it is pushed to the edge, overlooking a slip road to the Mancunian Way, Manchester’s inner ring road. Has any measurement been taken of the level of pollution that will be found in the classrooms and roof-top playground?
So, no, I do not like these alien monsters.
"the towers are a kind of refuge...They are not gated communities." What does he think gated communities are?
The brochure for Deansgate promises "Secure residents’ entrances with dedicated fob
access to shared spaces and apartments...Dedicated concierge operating 24/7"
A gated community is exactly what it is.
I assume he means that there are some shops and restaurants open to the general public, as well as the outdoor space being generally available (but 'public realm' which is not the same as 'public land'). Obviously you need a key fob to go into the underground parking garage or into someone's flat.
Set against that vague positive feeling, there has been a disgraceful neglect bordering on deliberate of the footpath and cyclepath route from Deansgate Square over the Mancunian Way to Hulme Park. My personal view being that the council should 'bury the Mancunian Way' at that point - i.e. cover it in a green tunnel extending the park into the city centre. Until that happens though, the current situation where a fine footbridge leads (on the Hulme side) into a pretty nice park but on the City Centre side into a rabbit warren of narrow paths between building site hoardings until you get to Deansgate Square.
Both sides are missing out - but the flat residents more - by not getting their local green space (instead probably driving to another park).
I suspect this is a debate which will continue forever, with neither side ever really being willing to concede much ground.
My own personal opinion aside, the report last year from the resolution foundation really contextualised just how much we need to grow the housing stock in the city (126,000 in “well connected areas”) to sustain the economic growth we want. These towers are an essential part of that.
Manchester has been helped immeasurably by other cities (particularly Liverpool) not being receptive to increasing housing supply.
The new towers in Manchester are quite photogenic I suppose. They look great on photos at dusk with their lights on ...erm I'm struggling now . I struggle to like them I think as they seem concentrated into quite a small area , Manchester City centre isn't huge, they overshadow the wonderful Victorian architecture that is left.
Someone said to me once when I complained about my small stature ' It's better to be small and to shine than be tall and cast a shadow' .
There are so many shadows being cast over Manchester now i.e Angel Meadow .
I hope my nearest city Birmingham doesn't go the same way.
I would have thought Birmingham (and pretty much every city outside London) would swap situations with Manchester in a heartbeat if they had the chance.
The fact that they’re concentrated in one area is intentional…
The powers that be and investors that may want Birmingham to be a 'Manchester' as far as tall towers are concerned probably will not live there or have to walk amongst these overpowering blocks. My opinion but I prefer architecture with less floors and glass, something more interesting.
I think residents of cities in decline would also disagree.
I don't really give much thought to my environment, and I go into the city centre quite regularly so I have grown accustomed to all the new towers. What do I think of them? Well they're all the same, once you've seen one you've seen the lot. If anything, it's like being surrounded by a bunch of phallic symbols. I certainly wouldn't describe them as interesting architecture. Maybe Manchester is going to become like the city in the 1920s film, Metropolis. - or Gotham city in Batman.
Well, we have two choices to build the houses we need. We can go up, or we can go out. The role that Stockport played in breaking the Greater Manchester planning framework shows the seething outrage and cheap politics that greets going out, so we're going up instead. Ideally more councils would be pulling their weight and homes would be spread around a bit more, but alas, too many give in to existing residents rather than thinking about future ones.
I agree that Manchester has changed for the better since I returned to the city on the late 1970's. I do have some reservations concerning the claims about building communities as I cannot see much evidence of the building of schools,medical centres etc to underpin this. I may be wrong but when talking to a friend who is a health visitor in the city centre I became aware of many isolated young mothers in the towers. Many of them are cash rich but trapped by lack of language skills and family support.
I love the Manchester skyline and all the different modern designs, and I think it's a delight to discover the lovely old buildings nestling among the new ones.