I like it too... I dont know what it is like inside though...

About the roof, its quite fashionable at the minute to do something more creative with rooves (roofs?), this pic below is a concept but there is a pic of something with a similar idea knocking around that I can't find... I like the roof, it demonstrates a bit of extra on the thinking, and in a few years there might be lots of aerial shots of Manchester knocking around, but not many buildings in them with funky tops.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/roofpic.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3060039copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3060014copy.jpg

These monsters clearly aren't fans
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3060007copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3060057copy.jpg

very nice!

This tower is a fantastic addition to Manchester. The finish is superb, the design and architecture exciting and the location spot on. I can't fault it.

These monsters clearly aren't fans
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3060007copy.jpg



All the pics are excellent; this one in particular is pure art

i am a huge fan of the gn, wiked design an great location but as has been said b4 the cladding is a dissapointment. at ground level it looks great especialy the dark grey oposite the goods wharehouse. but the tower is jus plain old grey pannels like on the cjc.... it would be great 2 have a broader variation of claddings in the city i would love to see wood used more, in a fashion not disimilar to that apartment block in piccadily basin

Article in the Homes section of the MEN today,,,someone as bought the whole of the 16th floor,, when its completed the are going to make it into one huge apartment, ( now that's the fucking life ) :)

There has also been a few others that have bought 2 apartment's next to each other and doing the same.

I read that Highriser, have to say I was jealous to the core of my very being...I bet its spectacular when he's finished having it decorated.

Here.

Big plans for the high life

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/134.$plit/C_17_Articles_207844_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

VIEWS: Stewart Yip outside the Great Northern Tower.

BUSINESSMAN Stewart Yip wanted a big city apartment - really big. So he has bought the entire 16th floor of the Great Northern Tower to create the ultimate city centre home.

It cost him £1.35m but he faces another big bill to turn what should have been four separate apartments into one extravagant space by ripping them apart.

He said: "The developers will hand it over to me as four individual apartments and I will bring in my own architect to re-arrange the whole floor. It is a big project and it will mean taking out three of the kitchens that have only just been put in and some of the bathrooms.

"But planning rules say the developer has to complete it to the specification of the detailed plans that were passed and I have to apply to re-design.

Elegant

"But it will be worth it. There will be a large living room for entertaining and a separate TV/music room with all the latest technology and several bedroom suites. I want the look to be oriental but elegant and modern."

Mr Yip, who runs an import/export company in the city, lives in Cheadle with his wife Dorothy and their two-year-old daughter and says they will probably use the apartment a couple of times a week if in town on business or socialising. It also needs to accommodate his four grown up sons when they return from university.

He said: "I have been searching for an apartment for quite some time. When you buy property it has to be a good investment and you look for location and quality and style and I liked the GN Tower. I like the specification and the location close to Chinatown. And they were helpful about what could be done."

He expects to take at least three months to transform the 3,200sq ft of space and said: "I would like to be celebrating Christmas there."

He is not alone in wanting to create a bespoke space. Two more buyers in the tower have decided that big is definitely better.

A friend of his has bought a duplex penthouse in the main tower together with the apartment next door and plans to combine the two.

Fantastic

And Dominic Speakman and girlfriend Heather Staff have bought two, two-bedroom apartments on the 11th floor so they can have double the space and one huge private terrace giving fantastic views out over the city.

Dominic, MD of web-based tour operator Destinology, said: "Subject to planning permission we plan to create one larger three-bedroom home from the two apartments. With the position of the terrace and the balconies we will be able to see virtually every aspect of the city and there will be plenty of room for a Jacuzzi hot tub.

"We love socialising and entertaining and we are both looking forward to inviting friends back. We want to be right in the centre of the city and we think this is a great location, within walking distance of all that is happening."

Anthony Sankard, from agent King Sturge which is selling the GN Tower, said: "The accepted rule is that large apartments do not sell and the trend in all new developments is for smaller and more affordable units.

"But this is a special building, probably the last development site right in the city centre and the buyers here recognise that."

When it is complete later this year the tower will have probably the most impressive entrance in the city with a double height foyer with red glass chandelier.

More than half the 257 apartments are sold and prices now start at £175,000 for a one bed and £250,000 for two beds with parking.

There are some really spectacular apartments in Hong Kong. I guess Chinese guys go for this sort of thing more than Brits. Good luck to Mr Yip.

Hard life innit?
I tried a bit of "import/export' when was younger but i think Mr Yip has done a better job than i did (and i suspect his doesnt involve a couple of sheets of acid!).
Is he the Yip in Wing Yip i wonder?
Ay - there's some brass aboot int there?

Ever watch that silly programme "cribs" Mariah Carey had about four floors of a New York apartment block.

Yep I saw that, all she really wanted to do was get her tits out.

I can't really add any more to that.

What, not even some screen, err.. grabs?

What, not even some screen, err.. grabs?

http://www.bitteroptimist3.homestead.com/files/piggy2.jpg

Phorah!

What's green and smells of po, ah, dosn't matter.

This weekend ; 17th-19th march

spot the difference:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7784/dscf00317fg.jpg

The top corner being fitted:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3452/dscf01479da.jpg

great building!

Great photos, but I hope you didn't have to stand there for too long to get them. The only major work left to go on this building now seems to be the ground floor section underneath the main tower.

lol, no i didnt stand there for ages... i kept popping to my car park over the weekend and taking the same angle. i didnt actually realise it was changing in each photo. - until i got them home.

Oooooo, spooky ;)

AAARGG!!!! this ones let me down to! beautiful building an wen teh clading started to go up i thort itd be quality but its jus teh same old drab grey thats all ova the city hate it!!! theres far to much of it........ reminds me of teh worst recent building in manchester....... that reched thing across trinity bridge next to teh lowery hotel,, the one thats made form corrugated steel an looks like a cow shed stoood on end

what the imperial war museum? thats a fantastic building!

I think he's talking about The Bridge Apartments, on the left of this photo.

http://www.citynoise.org/upload/6775.jpg

worst recent building in manchester....... that reched thing across trinity bridge next to teh lowery hotel,, the one thats made form corrugated steel an looks like a cow shed stoood on end


i see your point very well

Thats definately not the worst recent building I've seen in Manchester. But its certainly not the the most attractive either.

Grey and yellow again, inquisitor. Or maybe grey and buff.

Nah. The Bridge is easily one of the worst new-builds in Manchester.

Trying to break convention......
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3220048copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3220052copy.jpg

It might be one of the worst, but it isn't THE worst. Also it seems to sort of just, blend in, I don't find it to be too obtrusive. Theres plenty more awful new builds out there.

Thanks for the pics Caw, I still wish this building was getting the spire though...

The bridge is horreendous! for such a prominent position next to the lowry hotel and oposite trinity bridge its appaling. another dissapointment is that bar an hotel complex on the meeting of Portland st and Oxford road when entering the city down oxford road, its such a missed oportunity.... i thinks its got a baracuda bar or sumting in it, the one next to the now empty cinema by elizabeth house. oh an wile im at it that montana house oposite the new Umist building is crap.... not to be to negative tho, the great buildings in manchester sure outweigh the bad

Tsk, you don't like anything Hopo. At least this time your not the only one ;)

The Oxford/ Portland thing is called the Circus hopo (designed by clowns i presume) and to make it worse the building it replaced was really good - not stunning but a perfect manchester building.
Most of the crap at the end of the main southern gateway routes (chester road, princess parkway, cambridge st) are an embarrassment and they say first impressions count so all the good stuff has to do alot of catching up to make up for it.

AAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! its not that i dont like anyting its just that picking out the bad things is so much easier as the calibre of buildings in manchester is brilliant. theree are to many good buildings to list, id have to go through them on a street by street basis!

He he he, then your reputation will always stand Hopo.

Nah, I was only joking, its just that nearly every post you've made is negative. I don't have a problem with that, its just amusing. Its good to hear you're so inlove with many Manc buildings though ;)

Great Northern Tower

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2478/s34000082zb.jpg

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/6279/s34000116hd.jpg

The Circus was built on bare land, was it not? I don't ever recall a building being on that site in my time.

Wasn't it the site of the Banshee? Marvellous place.

The Banshee,,,,thats a blast from the past, :) got ratarsed in there a few times.

The Circus was built on bare land, was it not? I don't ever recall a building being on that site in my time.

You cant really see it in this picture put the top floor was a fantastic row of big glass windows - would have made a great studio or flat.
Like i say not an amazing building but was very manchester and certainly made more of a statement on that corner than the clown building does.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/circus.jpg

^^ agreed Longfoot

I really like it and can imagine it cleaned up with a swanky restaurant on the ground floor, would look 1,000 000 billion times better than that garbage that occupies that space now, f****n circus..its a joke

oh yes and a lovely neon similar to that Schweppes one but saying Panasonic or something like that, see ive got it all worked out lol

Cheers Longford - top pic.
Circus munts your heart in a disgraceful act of banality.
Manchester looked more cosmopolitan and razz than it does now!
There's not nearly enough of those window shades in town - more I say.

Maybe the council don't like awnings very much and will not give out planning permission for them to be put up?

Thread 2 (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=223295)


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3230001copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270006copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270014copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270028copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270024copy.jpg

:cool:
Cant be long until the cranes come down :)

I feel a little underwhelmed by the GNT - which is a pity because I want to like it. Maybe it's the grey cladding...perhaps it looks better in the flesh...but the colours seem very...erm...metrolinky ...if you know what I mean...

When you see it for real, especially on a nice sunny day, this tower does look great. :)

It's probably my fave, out of the new development. I prefer it over Beetham's.

yeah its well better than beetham imo

amazing building

It's in a better location than Beetham, If Beetham was turned 90 degrees and put where the GNT is it would look monstrous (in a good way). However Beetham in it's present position pushes out the city centre. It's distance from Albert Square makes the centre feel much larger. That can only be good for the city. Build another one up near Salford Crescent I say.

Chris - love the second one...what a stroke of luck eh?

I've always loved this building. Its the only one of Mancs major construction projects that I come into regular contact with aswell, the student prices at AMC are so cheap I seem to be seeing a film almost every week (£3.25 normally and you get free popcorn with the cine card, and you get two for one deals on wednesday!).

:cool:
Cant be long until the cranes come down :)

the one at the back of the building is now down

the one at the back of the building is now down
:banana:

Great pics Caw, the second one is fantastic!

Is there gonna be retail or food stuffs on the ground floor?

anyone?

Random pic,,,balconies going on now ,,

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0699.jpg

Is putting the balconies on last, one by one, a common thing? it seems a really odd way to go about it if you ask me.
Anybody want to enlighten me on this?

Welcome to the world of prefabricated modular construction. Build in a shed under a controlled environment to a better standard.

Welcome to the world of prefabricated modular construction. Build in a shed under a controlled environment to a better standard.

I appreciate that jerv but wouldnt it have made sense to put them as they went instead of topping off then going back down to the bottom (unless of course the balconies were late).

They're bleeding useless anyway, you couldn't swing a cat on one!

poor man's montevetro (though obviously the jagged tip is better).

I disagree.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3290011copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3290012copy.jpg

Do look a bit 'tacked on' don't they.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3290014copy.jpg

Whats going on here guys.... any ideas?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/gpupup2.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270024copy.jpg

Whats going on here guys.... any ideas?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/gpupup2.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270024copy.jpg

Looks like the Radisson b4mmy, but in the wrong place.

Windmill St tower - next to the Free Trade Hall?

Edit: Beaten to it!

poor man's montevetro (though obviously the jagged tip is better).

No chance. Montevetro is to the GN Tower what the Tupolev TU-144 was to Concorde -- a "dark world" parallel universe twin which is very, very similar but somehow far less pleasing to the eye.

Look at the difference in, say, the lift shafts, which terminate in grey metal boxes on Montevetro:

http://archiguide.free.fr/PH/RoUn/LondLogMontevetroRo.jpg

Nope, biased I may be but the GN Tower knocks this for six. (And I've seen both in the flesh, too.)

No chance. Montevetro is to the GN Tower what the Tupolev TU-144 was to Concorde -- a "dark world" parallel universe twin which is very, very similar but somehow far less pleasing to the eye.

Look at the difference in, say, the lift shafts, which terminate in grey metal boxes on Montevetro:

http://archiguide.free.fr/PH/RoUn/LondLogMontevetroRo.jpg

Nope, biased I may be but the GN Tower knocks this for six. (And I've seen both in the flesh, too.)


JohnNYPD your on drugs man! :)

Whats going on here guys.... any ideas?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/gpupup2.jpg


Poor massing.

Central Spine though - wahey.

Whats going on here guys.... any ideas?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/gpupup2.jpg



It seems that there is a big red circle in the sky b4mmy - is it the Big Wheel perhaps relocated to outside Gmex and painted red?
On the GNT vs Montevetro argument:
They are both bobbins!

It seems that there is a big red circle in the sky b4mmy - is it the Big Wheel perhaps relocated to outside Gmex and painted red?
On the GNT vs Montevetro argument:
They are both bobbins!

You need MORE sleep Mr Longford.

Slightly off topic, does anyone else remember the massing/model of central Manchester that was in the Tourist Info Centre, St Peter's Sq. It was cool, think it disappeared more than ten years ago. Wonder what happened to that...

George Lucas bought it and used it for fly through shots in the Star Wars films and Luke Skywalker had to drop a torpedo down the hole where the underground market used to be on Spring Gardens.

OK, but where is it now? That serotonin's doing strange things to your head Mr Longford, or is it just sleep deprivation.....lol

Maybe I should make my own massing out of cereal boxes and toilet roll tubes. I wouldn't put it past me.

You do know (and this is serious) that on the top floor of the town hall extention is a planning archive where plans going back to the 1850's are kept (and models aswell).
It is virtually imposible to get in their and it is run single handedly by this really creepy bloke who is obssesive in his protection of plans. He will show them to you but wont let you touch them and i'm sure he never leaves his little eerie.
I'm guessing its there.

i dont trust those balconies.

looks like the north of manc will have its excusite and nice houses(n chavs), while the south will be trapped in HIGH RISE HELL MWAHWAWHAA.

If this building was chocolate id eat eat, and enjoy it. It loos like a toblerone/yorkie.

ok il shut up now

You do know (and this is serious) that on the top floor of the town hall extention is a planning archive where plans going back to the 1850's are kept (and models aswell).
It is virtually imposible to get in their and it is run single handedly by this really creepy bloke who is obssesive in his protection of plans. He will show them to you but wont let you touch them and i'm sure he never leaves his little eerie.
I'm guessing its there.

I've made quite a big computer model of parts of mcr 'shanks, I would love to have a look up there, how can I get in? Can you take me up one day?

I've made quite a big computer model of parts of mcr 'shanks, I would love to have a look up there, how can I get in? Can you take me up one day?

You can 'in theory' make an appointment through the planning dept.
My tutor (John Parkinson Bailey)arranged for me to see some old plans when i was doing my masters degree.
You have to be very specific about what you want and you cant just bowl up there and have a mooch through and it is almost impossible to enter the inner sanctum.
John P B has been up there (he's dead now bless him) and he told me all about it.

So what could I ask for if I dont know whats in there, can you remember whats worth looking at....

I feel a little underwhelmed by the GNT - which is a pity because I want to like it. Maybe it's the grey cladding...perhaps it looks better in the flesh...but the colours seem very...erm...metrolinky ...if you know what I mean...

If you were meaning the mint green parts...isn't it the same as Beetham in that these are just inside strips that will come off with the completion of the building?

So those parts of the cladding are actually clear, so it'll look better.

So what could I ask for if I dont know whats in there, can you remember whats worth looking at....

What apart from every building built in Manchester in the last 150 years? - Not much really!
Thats not strictly true of course. There are big holes in the archive and as i said i was working on just 2 or 3 buildings so i only saw plans and correspondence for them.
John parkinson bailey who literally wrote the book on the architecture of manchester said it could be very frustrating because a) this bloke was very difficult and precious and b) there are surprising ommisions.
There is unsurprisingly loads on the Town Hall, Extention and Library and the more recent stuff is better covered since planning laws were tightened up.
As i say its not a place that invites casual browsing. Is there something you have a particular interest in b5mmy? I can make enquiries if you do?

I hate to admit it but I just want to see models and also how things have been presented over the years. I'm really passionate about backing up my stuff with a historical knowledge cos I feel a sense of shallowness at times. It's purely academic interest to be honest.... I'm trying really hard to put my stuff in some sort of context... things are moving so fast, I want to stop and smell the roses.... as a certain famous golfer once said.

I hate to admit it but I just want to see models and also how things have been presented over the years. I'm really passionate about backing up my stuff with a historical knowledge cos I feel a sense of shallowness at times. It's purely academic interest to be honest.... I'm trying really hard to put my stuff in some sort of context... things are moving so fast, I want to stop and smell the roses.... as a certain famous golfer once said.

A very honourable thing but very very time consuming.
The conservation officer Warren Marshall has been with the City from the early 70's so he is possibly the person to talk to and as you say not only the buildings have changed but the way they are presented has aswell.
You can spend weeks researching just one building so trying to research the whole city centre over a long period of time is a mammoth task.
Let me know, as always, if you need any help and i'll try and do what i can and try and fill in any gaps.

...if you need any help and i'll try and do what i can and try and fill in any gaps.

Yes of course, I wouldn't want to go through everything. I'll have a think about some specifics, and pm you a list. And if you can get me through the door I'll buy you a beer... or a bottle of SMA! Gotta get some sleep now 'shanks. Nite.

You do know (and this is serious) that on the top floor of the town hall extention is a planning archive where plans going back to the 1850's are kept (and models aswell).
It is virtually imposible to get in their and it is run single handedly by this really creepy bloke who is obssesive in his protection of plans. He will show them to you but wont let you touch them and i'm sure he never leaves his little eerie.
I'm guessing its there.

God how bizarre. A weird little archivist protecting his precious plans from prying eyes....)

Thanks for that info, the particular massing would make a good exhibit on the ground floor of Urbis. Hmmmm....

Lovin this now it's a beaut, looking stunning today.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/P1010050.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/P1010046.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/P1010043.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/P1010041.jpg
:)

splendid roly, that first one looks fab!

From the Daily Mail (Friday 14th April). View is from the 13th Floor

The Black Bit on the left is the result of my haste to tear the article from the paper. It's not a broken window :)

Anyone going???

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/gntad.jpg

Nice pics roly and pookey. Not been to Manchester for awhile, and it's great to see have far these towers have progressed. GNT is one of my faves :) Wouldn't mind that view either, the lucky bar stewards! lol

That sounds interesting pookey, an open day.

On these occasions, I have the added challenge of trying to look like someone who could afford one :)

Brilliant building, fecking brilliant!

That's how to do stick-on balconies. In a recess. Lovely.

I'm a bit fonder of this now than I was. I still think it's a little cold and sterile, but in it's near complete state the shape does work well. I'm not a big fan of the whole GMEX, MICC, back of the Free Trade Hall area to be honest. It's all getting a bit one note 2000s bland, but I thing the GNT helps lift it a bit above that, even if it would be better if it wasn't grey.

Hope you don't mind Roly? :)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/1010042.jpg

Taken today.

Wonderful. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture007.jpg

Great pics jerb,,, yeah GN as turned out really nice .

Great pics jerb,,, yeah GN as turned out really nice .

Cheers that man.

Shame it was overcast this morning. Got some crackers of Beetham coming up after mi bath. Give us an hour. :)

i was on a photo sesh yesterday, until i got sidetracked into the lovely new bar in the Palace hotel :) , ended up getting totally smashed :laugh:

oh and the rooms are lurvly :)

Have they put that swanky big 'chandelier' in HR? Or were you too merry to notice the furnishings?

Great pics jrb, keep it up. :)

Have they put that swanky big 'chandelier' in HR? Or were you too merry to notice the furnishings?


Didnt notice Longy,, i had me mind on other thing's :)

What's in the brick building here , next to GMEN ?

This is to make way for something in the Spinningfield's masterplan is'nt it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture058.jpg

Don't know H.

Forgot to post this one. :drool:

Someone buy me an apartment, will you?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/north.jpg

From the Daily Mail (Friday 14th April). View is from the 13th Floor

The Black Bit on the left is the result of my haste to tear the article from the paper. It's not a broken window :)

Anyone going???

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/gntad.jpg
you can view a clearer viewer of the advert on the gn tower website - http://www.greatnortherntower.co.uk

I am going to see the show apartment tonight and hopefully get an idea when it will be finished and I can move in :)

hopefully will take a few photos

http://www.greatnortherntower.co.uk/images/GW_GNT_W_33_02.jpg

From Sunday....

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/gnt2704.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/gnt32704.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/231/gnt6pe.jpg


http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/140/gntii5cn.jpg

great pics fellas, pookey nice to see you back on here more regularly these days.

It's always rains in Manchester! - Not true! :) Nice pics.

Tower crane as come down today

H it's HAS not AS lol, I love you though!


AS is a tune by Stevie Wonder :) Later reworked by George M and Mary J to great effect :)

Roly , what the fuck are you on about ,,please talk english :)

OK you always say "AS" instead of "Has". Read your post and you'll see what I mean.

It's ... "HAS it been raining today?" not "AS it been raining today?"

You get me?

Roly your scrambling my brain,,, im off to bed ,,xx

oh dear..lol ok

when you read this again tomorrow you'll see what I mean.

H it's HAS not AS lol, I love you though!


AS is a tune by Stevie Wonder :) Later reworked by George M and Mary J to great effect :)

:laugh:

Im back to the land of the living now Roly,, i know what your on about now :)

Anyway,,the tower crane was taken down yesterday, a lot of our big developments are nearing completion now,,so the next biggies will be ready to start :)

Taken yesterday
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/272/april65rv.jpg

:laugh:

Im back to the land of the living now Roly,, i know what your on about now :)

Anyway,,the tower crane was taken down yesterday, a lot of our big developments are nearing completion now,,so the next biggies will be ready to start :)
Lets hope so H

I realy hope GN and Beetham are a catalyst to improve the Great Northern Complex. Was worried a few months ago when I saw that Persia had shut down and have been to the Cinema a few times and it is always dead.
Want to see more entertainment/shopping venues move away from the Arndale area and spread the city out more.

The spire got fitted into place today.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0762.jpg
And from the back
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0763.jpg

Soz about the size ,i think Photobucket is playing up.

Excellent, wasn't sure it was still getting one!

nice one H you're an observant bugger

What's the spire for, they gonna fly a fucking flag?

Ye a big red one.

Ye a big red one.

Big Republic of Mancunia one...

As they do sometimes they have the Manchester skyline in the background on BBC 24 when interviewing someone and ethier some isnt right or am going mad but GN looked atleast 20-30 meters taller than CJC. Whats going on?

^^ it's closer to the camera, thats why

Taken Friday.

The first 3 pictures really some up how Manchester has changed. Old and new working superbly together. (GNT, plus Macc Village)

The 4th picture shows the GNT, MICC, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, CJC and erm?(forgot the name of the building)

The 5th pictures shows the front section of the GNT.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture004y.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture006y.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture007y.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture017y.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture003y.jpg

Wow, great pics jrb, sunlight house!
keep up the good work.

Very nice jerb, I like the view from mack village, although mack village itself isn't exactly saying much yet is it.

Nice pic's jerb ,,GN as been over-looked really with its big neighbour taking the limelight, looks superb :)

What a cool vibe this building has, im licking the spire i was'nt expecting that to look so nice!

What a cool vibe this building has, im licking the spire i was'nt expecting that to look so nice!

Mind you don't hurt your tongue on that prick...

:)

couple from today

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/gnt0606.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/gnt2-0606.jpg

Great pics thanks Roly - I've often thought with it being slap bang in the middle of the straight village - living on the lower floors is going to be quite an interesting experience especially on a Friday and Saturday night.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/GreatNorthern-11june-06.jpg

Bloody hell this tower has a spire!! Looks bloody brilliant!! :cheers:
Shame it wasn't twice the height though...

The base of GN

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0882.jpg

looking good
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0884.jpg

Thanks for all these pics highriser. Much appreciated.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/rolybling2/P1010115small.jpg

A couple from the g-mex end...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Great%20Northern%20Tower/IMG_9368001.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/carlf/Great%20Northern%20Tower/IMG_9369001.jpg

I like the way it goes from white to grey/black cladding halfway down. Nice pics everyone ;)

So good - they bought the condo!

http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_2355_BodyText_TextSection0_Image.jpg

DESIGNS ON NEW HOME: Assael Architecture managing director John Assael

FIVE architects who designed Manchester's Great Northern Tower were so impressed with their work they have bought their own flats.

The 25-storey building, between the G-Mex and Great Northern Warehouse off Deansgate, has also proved a hit with its estate agents.

Five partners and senior executives at agents King Sturge have followed the lead of London-based Assael Architecture and also snapped up properties.

John Assael, who is managing director of Assael Architecture, bought a two-bedroom flat.

"The scheme is fantastic and I'm proud to put my name to it," he said.

"This is the first time any of us have invested in any property we've designed, and with five of us in the practice doing so, it must be pretty special."

Assael Architecture designed the 257-flat building for developers George Wimpy City. Prices start at £184,000 for a one-bedroom flat and £271,000 for a two-bedroom flat.

Can anyone who works in town confirm if GNT has now got Beetham-esque aircraft warning lights on the north facing side of the tower, certainly looked that way driving in down the M602, but it was earlier on and was still quite light. Must have had some spares from winter hill!

Yep - noticed myself last night.
New EU directive for buildings over a certain height (probably).

Ah good, the more lights the better for me. Did think it was a bit strange that their on the tower and not the lift shaft/spire area considering thats the highest part of the building.

The future...

http://blender-stuff.byethost32.com/downloads/TEXTURE-red_dots-mariano.jpg

Pinched this quote from another forum:

Any structure standing above 300' from ground level must have static red lights showing in all directions (at least 2,000 candelas), at every 300' from the top of the structure. A set is not required below 300'. e.g. If the structure is 700' tall, lights, are required at 700' and 400'.

Many aircraft warning lights are now being replaced with high-intensity LED sets.

Why are the regulations still in feet? Surely everything is done in metres these days?!

At a guess - pilots still work in feet.

Why are the regulations still in feet? Surely everything is done in metres these days?!

Don't get me started about feet and metres, lbs and grams....!!

I still ask for things in 'pounds' and 'quarters' in shops out of sheer bloody-mindedness.....but that's another story.....:)

Is the GN tower high enough to warrant a red aircraft warning light? 300 feet is 91.44metres (apparently), and it's only 72 metres.

The CIS tower is the only other building in Manchester which will warrant a red light under these uber-fascist-EU-regulations.

I'm sure City Tower will require lights too.

....... uber-fascist-EU-regulations.

Or perhaps to stop planes hitting tall buildings!
Its political correctness gone mad!
Before we went into the EU planes were free to smash in to buildings whenever they wanted.

They look mint.

City Tower has got a single red light aswell.

I have no idea why what appear to be aeronautical obstacle lights have been installed on GN Tower. I work at the airport and part of my job is to liaise with planners and developers over such matters (known as 'safeguarding'). I was involved with Beetham obstacle lights but we have never been approached about the GN Tower. From my viewpoint there is no requirement to light the GN Tower - it is not very tall and in any case is 'shadowed' by the much taller Beetham/Hilton tower nearby. The rules governing obstacle lighting generally require structures taller than 150 metres/500feet (not 300 feet as stated in an earlier post) to be lit, although some structures shorter than this may require to be lit if they are considered to pose a risk to aircraft due to their nature and location.

the nicest building in manchester since the midland.

I have no idea why what appear to be aeronautical obstacle lights have been installed on GN Tower. I work at the airport and part of my job is to liaise with planners and developers over such matters (known as 'safeguarding'). I was involved with Beetham obstacle lights but we have never been approached about the GN Tower. From my viewpoint there is no requirement to light the GN Tower - it is not very tall and in any case is 'shadowed' by the much taller Beetham/Hilton tower nearby. The rules governing obstacle lighting generally require structures taller than 150 metres/500feet (not 300 feet as stated in an earlier post) to be lit, although some structures shorter than this may require to be lit if they are considered to pose a risk to aircraft due to their nature and location.

I think this is a case of what we, in the business, call 'red light envy'.
:tiasd:

I think this is a case of what we, in the business, call 'red light envy'.
:tiasd:
Manchester will be what it has always aspired to be. One gigantic Red Light District......:naughty:

Trees have now been planted all around the base of the tower now ,, looking very nice .

Is there a statutory restriction on the colour of these lights?

especially if (as in the case of the GN tower) they are not needed to (guide the terrorists in?) indicate an area to be avoided...

Cant belive it not finished people started moving in yet??

As far as I can tell, yeah people have been moving into the lower floors, especially at the back not in the tower end there seems to be a lot of activity when I sneak a spy through.

Few new Great Northern Pics taken 24/03/07 by me.

From Manchester Central
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/e4244ef8.jpg

Another from the same location
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/1d202dc1.jpg

Reverse side with the potential for retail
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/a9132beb.jpg

And a couple more pics from the same area

Barbirolli
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/fe5a9276.jpg

Bridgewater Hall
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/4f7c15f2.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/a9132beb.jpg

There's too many empty boarded up retails units ATM. Especially around Ancoats, the NQ, Castlefield and Piccadilly Basin. Why don't these developers drop their rents so independent retailers can fill them.

There's too many empty boarded up retails units ATM. Especially around Ancoats, the NQ, Castlefield and Piccadilly Basin. Why don't these developers drop their rents so independent retailers can fill them.

Because they dont give a shit about filling them thats why. The planners insist on them putting something in at ground level - thats the only reason they are there. Given the choice developers would rather it was car parking.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/a9132beb.jpg

There's too many empty boarded up retails units ATM. Especially around Ancoats, the NQ, Castlefield and Piccadilly Basin. Why don't these developers drop their rents so independent retailers can fill them.

I do understand your frustration jerb. But would far rather see boarded up retail units, (even if they stay like this for the next five years) than something like this:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/745ba51a.jpg

Lets give it a chance. GN has only only been complete for a couple of months, I'm sure it will grow into that retail space as more people move into the apartments and above office space on Windmill St and at Beetham is built and occupied. Similar things could be said about the Northern Quarter.

I guess its really an extension of the Central (North Manchester Business) Park transport interchange argument. It it a white elephant, a waste of public money? Or is it bold planning for the future?

Lets compare this to the Hacienda (a far better 'non-retail' solution to that shown above. Sure all of those empty units may be a bit of an embarrassment today, but just think of their potential for tomorrow. That Hacienda timeline by the canal may look fine, certainly better than the battered chipboard at GN, but time-line will still be the time-line when I'm drawing my pension. At which time the GN Tower may contain a Tesco Metro, or a three Michelin Star restaurant, or drop in centre for recovering alcoholics. I don't know.

But I do know that while the boarding may upset us today today, it is for the greater good. It will give something back to the city and allow the building to respond to what the Manchester of tomorrow may or may not become.

On the subject of this, what does anyone know about that residential building on Aytoun St - think it may be called the Mercury Building. Are those steel shutters supposed to be permanent, or do they hide a potential retail unit. Assuming they are permanent they really are an eyesore and take away from what otherwise is a not inoffensive building, particularly given that it was one of the city's first new build residentials. Only reason I ask is that the shutters are inconsistent with the treatment down the side street, which looks better than those hideous shutters on the main road imo.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/046.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/014-2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/002-3.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/064-3.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/124-1.jpg

taken last night. police helicopter kept circling.

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/great_northern_tower_greater_manchester_police_air_support_unit_overhead_deansgate.jpg

ha no way!if you took this last night that would be my father piloting it!! i will ask what he was doing when i get a hold of him.

kewl pic by the way. did u use a tripod? or do u have super sterdy hands?

I'm going with super hands.

ha no way!if you took this last night that would be my father piloting it!! i will ask what he was doing when i get a hold of him.

kewl pic by the way. did u use a tripod? or do u have super sterdy hands?

was he on his way back from his local? he seemed to lap beetham about 6 times!

EDIT: i have the pics to prove that!

I'm going with super hands.

nope that was at least a 15 second exposure time!

He knows i like pictures of cities from his point of view so he probably got bored and circled to see what pictures he could take. The chopper he uses up here has the best camera attached to it. you should see the heat cams pics! they look well kewl. not that im really meant to see them but meh he likes to show off haha.

Those are some fantastic pics btw :)

I didn't think Father Christmas was due for another 9 days

top pix

pretty funky pics! looks like the helicopter is christmas lights for the beathem tower. lol

oh turns out he was actually doing legitimate police stuff not taking photos. got me hopes up for a bit there.

oh turns out he was actually doing legitimate police stuff not taking photos. got me hopes up for a bit there.

yeah? looked like it n all :lol: :cheers:

yeah? looked like it n all :lol: :cheers:

haha cheeky git!!! lol

haha cheeky git!!! lolthis building is more interesting that the more common square blocks.:banana:which make the centre look dull./

why did the weather have to be SO nice today, of all days?

another pic of great northern tower. clearly 0mkp's dad was carving a turkey or something as i couldn't see him buzzing overhead this time.

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/christmas_day_2007_manchester/great_norther_tower_manchester_1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/048-1.jpg

taken yesterday

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/gntower/1.jpg

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/gntower/2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/019-6.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/020-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ferge1985/S73F1946.jpg?t=1213485462

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ferge1985/S73F2003.jpg?t=1213485503

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSCF4411.jpg?t=1216738401

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSCF4412.jpg?t=1216738483

Some of Great Northern...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Manchester%2030th%20July%202008/IMG_4604.jpg?t=1217641465
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Manchester%2030th%20July%202008/IMG_4601.jpg?t=1217641506
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Manchester%2030th%20July%202008/IMG_4638.jpg?t=1217640448
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Manchester%2030th%20July%202008/IMG_4571.jpg?t=1217641575

i've just realised GNT is a rip off of montevetro, which i've never heard of until now-
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=272

retail section... movement!

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/New%20Folder/beetham%20tower%20manchester%20christmas%20sky%20bar%20skybar%20cloud%2023%20hilton%20hotel/great%20northern%20tower%20extension/IMG_7027%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/New%20Folder/beetham%20tower%20manchester%20christmas%20sky%20bar%20skybar%20cloud%2023%20hilton%20hotel/great%20northern%20tower%20extension/IMG_7028%20copy.jpg

Is that a new section there adding there? I didn't even know there WAS a retail section.

Yes they have been working on that bit for a while now, Bar Epernay will be opening a champagne bar on the first floor in the new extension and Tap and Goji are apparently opening up in the other units along Watson St.

Hmm, I will have to take a trip round there to get some pics for myself, cheers for that.

it doesn't seem very interesting to look at yet though

Ah but I like to get pics while it's changing then when it's done you can look back on the pics, take Piccadilly Tower for example, I've been takin pics from exacly the same spot, stuck them into a seperate folder and when you flick through it quick you can see everything gradually changing, like a photographic time-laps. Was hoping this would carry on but looks like I am going to have to wait, unless I carry on getting pics of the car park :), not.

Hopefully this will bring some life to the G-Mex side, its by far the deadest part of town.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3406767211_000205eeb9.jpg

You shoot a nifty photograph, Smiffy...:applause:

The Epernay Champagne Bar under the tower, looks almost complete I'd say less than a fortnight until it opens.

There may also be a seperate unit called Taps, below Epernay which looks close behind. The Taps place was on the ground while Epernay was in the Mezzanine floor with both backing into the extension. They both had separate entrances but they could still be the same venue with just two separate areas. Should be more clear once the signage is finished.

The next unit along still has a sign for an Indian restaurant/bar opening soon, but no movement as of yet.

Yes Taps is a seperate unit, there was a license up for the bar a while ago, as Epernay Champagne Bar only wanted the upper level of the unit that is why the extension was built, is good to see that Taps and Epernay Champagne Bar will both be opening within the next few weeks, it has taken them both long enough to fit out their units, the second unit the Indian restaurant/bar was supposed to be Goji but that has gone very quiet on that front.

One I took from St. John's Gardens on sunday.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/northern_betty/S5005202.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSC_1295.jpg

Nice shot btw Bim, nice clear day.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/150GreatNorthernTower_pic49.jpg

http://www.clear-line.co.uk/styles/images/portfolio/manchesterGNT1.jpg

Very nice.

9/10