Seeing as 2006 is fast approaching I wondered if you'd all like a debate over what was the best newly completed/under construction building of the year. Maybe also what you're favorite piece of news or proposed buildings of the year were. I did the same thing on projects/construction but I thought seeing as how much is going on in Manchester I could do it here.

To start with, my favourite building under construction has to be Beetham, closely followed by GN. I think the best piece of news was the announcement and approval of Eastgate.

The fact that the boom will probably go on for another 10 years because of all the high rise buildings proposed.

Probably the impact that Beetham has made, news of even bigger with Eastgate.. The suprise that is GNT and I suppose to a lesser extent, Sarah tower and City Tower.. Also a mention to the CIS, which is now looking fab, life really does start at 40 ;)

I really await 2006 as it is clear that this was just the warm up..

Towers that started in 2005:

- Jefferson Place (21 floors)
- Milennium/Erie Tower (22 floors)
- Citylofts Tower (20 floors)
- Sarah Tower (22 floors)
- Tempus Tower (20 floors)
- Skyline Central (20 floors)
- Pall Mall Tower (20 floors)

Plus Vie, Rosetti 2, The Bayley, XQ7, 3 Hardman.


Larger projects that started in 2005:

Piccadilly Place
Spectrum
St Georges

Projects that progressed in 2005:

Beetham
CJC
GN
Leftbank(mostly finished)
Sovereign Point(finished)
The Edge(finished)
NV Buildings(finished)

2005 proposals/approvals/revelations:

Central Spine (4 towers)
Crowngate
Middlewood Locks (3-4 towers)
Eastgate (approved March)
Crown (approved May)
Harbour City (4 towers proposed)
Victoria Warehouse


A very good year.

A very nice round up of the year there Caw, but the real dilema is what your favourites are? ;)

My Case For - The Best Under Construction Building of The Year - The CJC.

It’s a complete one off - I've not seen any other building resembling this style in the UK before. The architecture is daring with it’s stepped design and colourful panelling- giving it a slightly dysfunctional look - especially considering the purpose of which it is intended for. The scale is magnificent and imposing and the location is great - even the angle it is being built at says look I’m different from everything else around here. I know Beetham in terms of stature is far greater and will probably get all the limelight when completed but Beetham says look how tall I am - CJC simply says - look at me. The gauntlet has been thrown down.

My highlight of the year happened very recently:

Some form of construction begins on Greengate site ;)

My highlight of the year is realizing Beetham will far exceed my expectations in terms of height and quality, when we get that final reveal the cladding will look beautiful :drool:

My highlight has been watching Shudehill transport interchange go up, and realising two things: first, that public architecture (even a transport interchange, for crying out loud!) can be worthy, and second, that unlike all of these überbuildings going up everywhere, I will actually use this, and it might make a small difference to my life.

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed watching Beetham and others go up, but it will be some time before I get the chance to sit inside them and pick my nose (roll on '06!).