NEW: MCR's Fifth Tallest Building Approved

A bit bigger would have been nice... hopefully this will spark some more high stuff so that Beetham has some friends. He looks pretty lonely at the moment.

Why does it sound German?

Axis!

and what makes that german??

If you google the words Axis and Germany, all will be revealed. Although I doubt anyone under the age of 90 is aware of the connection

oh. i like germany. i like the name. i'm not googling it though. am scared.

Investors should give this a wide berth IMO.

No balconies, no green space nearby, not sure how pleasant these flats will be to live in either.

Ha ha ha all you 3 anons, I love your negativity. I do hope you'll be buying one.

Whiny c*nts.

The only reason the previous scheme failed is down to the recession. All the groundwork was completed...

What's your point? Should skyscrapers be built from brick and stone?

No, the point I was making is that their style of glass and steel makes them look temporary. Understand now?

Yeah completely understand what you are saying. I mean name me any steel and glass buildings that stand the test of time... apart from Empire State, Chrysler, Sears, Pompidou Centre, Canary Wharf... (ad infinitum)... you understand?

Yes thankyou Anon, full logical sentences are helpful for comprehension.

Yeah anon, someone should tell New York City. One Bryant Park (55 floors), The NY Times Building (52 floors), One57 (75 floors) and 1 WTC (104 floors). All glass and steel structures, recently completed. Amazing that they went to so much effort for things that 'look temporary'.

Oh my! You three above...I said 'their style'. Did I mention any other structures around the world? Understand now?

Understand that you're talking nonsense? Yep.

@Above Clown!

Understand now? Hilarious.

Yes I quite like this new building. The sleek design complements the nearby Beetham Tower well. I take your point about the colour; there is an inhospitable coldness about glass{except when stained} and steel, which is perhaps why very modern structures are rarely loved by the public. Only when they are exceptionally tall do they really capture the imagination and lift our spirits. And as more high rise apartments spring up in the city, it becomes even more important that our Victorian and Edwardian treasures, like the London Road Fire Station are protected and maintained for future generations to enjoy.

Here it is farm4.staticflickr.com/…/15027528089_f505040a9f_b.jpg…

There does seem to be an architectural move to introduce cold grey brick and sooty facades into the city over the warmer red brickand sandstone tones of historic Manchester. Whilst supertall grey buildings on the skyline like the Beetham Tower are better constructed in glass and steel to soften their impact and reflect the sky (The Shard in London does this quite well), this building isn’t high enough to warrant that and would have looked better in the original cladding to mirror the lower heritage red brick buildings around here. Or better still just make it taller.

Which building is One Central?

Apologies! I meant First Street.

Thanks, thought I had missed something!

Before Gimboid predictably responds with 'What's your point? Should skyscrapers be built from brick and stone?' I agree with your observation.

What's your point?

Instead of a brick, stone or concrete box?

Probably got the idea from the fact that glass lets in light.

Oh hi stalker-Anon. My 'predictability' (I've actually only posted the question twice btw) is only in response to the pointless repetition of such a dull comment. I've yet to see anyone give a decent answer.

Ok Gimboid, although practical, functional and cost effective, the current trend of using acres of glass, steel and concrete are rather formulaic. I'd much prefer to see less of it in the city. A compromise between the modern contructive positives I've just mentioned and the city's history in its design would be better. 'New character' so to speak. At least One St. Peter's Square has dared to be different and, it makes Peter House stand out a little more.

One St Peter's Sq is a steel structure with glass and cladding panels of polished concrete. It is not made of stone. The majority of commercial buildings are built the same way. It is the quality of the cladding that differs.

Beetham and No 1 Deansgate are two of my favourite buildings in Manchester. Matter of personal taste though I guess.

I like the urbis centre so I take your point.Have you seen his design for Blackfriars in London? it is stunning. I suppose you have guaranteed tenants in London though and that is the big difference.No good building a ninety storey building on Oldham road is there.

Wow the Blackfriars building is impressive. Looks like it should be in Dubai though. Unfortunately there just isn't the need or money in Manchester for buildings like this and the walkie talkie/gherkin etc...maybe we could do a smaller version though

Fair point anon. To my mind Ian Simpson has lost his creative mojo - most of his output of the last few years looks like it was designed by an intern with a 'design an Ian Simpson building' CAD package. It would be good to see a decent Foster building in the city too. (Tho I think you'll find Lord Rogers is Italian.) Manchester has been blessed with a lot of mediocre architecture in the last few years, but things have been looking up lately in St Peter's Square, happily clad in stone or something like it, and now this - but why is 27 storeys too small? There's more to decent architecture than height. There is the beginning of a decent cluster of tall buildings here, something which Manchester's increasingly disordered skyline sadly lacks.