http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3216/490hardman.jpg

http://www.spinningfields-manchester.com/images/spinningfields/spinning_buildings_2hsq_01.jpg

No excuses now jrb. Post those renders!

Cheers EB!(its on its way!)

Theres one more render!

:banana:

The latest rendering of No1 Hardman Square!s(sorry about the delay!)

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1843/costco98uu.jpg

Don't forget this EB:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic7.jpghttp://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic8.jpg

:puke:

If only this was chosen.......
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic1.jpg

how tall is that then?

I am no good at counting these type of things.

The latest rendering of No1 Hardman Square!s(sorry about the delay!)

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg



Absolutely AWFUL!

:bash:



Ta for your detective work jrb. :)

I prefer the huge looking Manc House, complete with rooftop forest!

Whats that building in the top left of the render - the one with the forest on top.

:puke:

Its shocking. OMG its shocking. How does that work with the rest of the plan??? How is that in any way good design? I cant believe how terrible it is plus it looks to have had a height reduction.
ITs so bad. Oh dear oh dear.
Looks like they have sorted the downdraft probem with that wind sheild sticking out. Its awful to look at.

Only saving grace of that render is the secondary tall building at the top left. looks ok and willadd to the scrapercount. Any better renders of it? Is it the manc house rebuild we know about?

I sensed there would be some dissapointment! Don't forget though, the design is still not finished! So it has probably changed again! Note the rendering of the MEN's new offices behind No1. Its nothing like the finished building what so ever!

Blowing the image up in size I reckon about 36 storeys.

Thank goodness they didn't go with the second option (I truly think this could have ranked as 'awful' if it was built).

You like your slabs up there don't you? I like it - it certainly gives Manchester a building identity (I like the UN Building in NYC you see).

What is it - some 35 floors? And is this the final render now?

The latest rendering of No1 Hardman Square!s(sorry about the delay!)

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg


Where to start?

It's got a similar massing to Eastgate.
It's another slab.
That canopy thing 1/3rd of the way up, what the fuck is that?
Doesn't seem to relate to the first two Hardman Square buildings at all.
The top looks too messy.
It looks like a giant evil robot that has come to eat us all. :rant:

Let's just hope it's a crap render or it changes again!

Blowing the image up in size I reckon about 36 storeys.
I counted 39 metrolink.

Oh come on... its not bad at all. Manc House looks good too.

No! That's horrible, the canopy over the road to stop the downdraft just looks stupid, it looks to have had a height reduction and it's another flippin cereal box to add to the Manchester skyline. After Beethem and Eastgate showing us what good boxy skyscrapers are like, this is just disappointing. I don't want to see any more square Manchster skyscrapers now anyway, the ones you've got a brilliant but now you need some variety in shapes on the skyline. This won't provide it. Up untill now I've been extremely impressed with what's been proposed for Manchester and the old design for 1 Hardman Square was brilliant but this is just taking the piss!

Its not finished yet! Fosters are still working on the design!

I was told the final design could be ready by late Autum if all went well!

I think it will be boxed shaped though!

PS!

Does anyone know where I can get free picture stitch software for the Spinningfields site?

As soon as I get It, will upload the image!

http://www.panoramafactory.com/download.html

I think the trial leaves a watermark on your images though.

Oh yeah, that's another thing. When I first looked at that rendering I thought "what have they gone and changed architects for?" because I thought this couldn't possibly be a Foster design but looking at one of the pages posted I noticed that they haven't changed architects. Even if this isn't the final design it probably shows the direction in which this is progressing and I don't like it.

:( its nothing special, ah well... still a tower i guess? :(

oopsi - thanks for pics peeps!

That canopy looks a bit naff and I'm not sure how the top will look, but I like the big gleaming glassiness of it. Yeah maybe a little plain, but so's Beetham and everybody likes that. Thanks for the picture jrb.

We are still working on new designs for 1 Hardman Square, but the construction of 3 and 4 HSq has taken precedence and we do not have a finalized design yet

Many thanks to Allied London for supplying me with the brochure and letting me upload the renderings/images!

The latest rendering of No1 Hardman Square!s(sorry about the delay!)

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg



That is fucking boss. It's the best design except for the tapering triangular one. Manchester house looks a good 110m tall aswell but is obviously a generic massing model. As the phones4U ad goes....yeah, yeeaah, YEEAAAAH!

At last! Someone else who appreciates it!

Only Beef is the top...Why have the gaps? would look far better with them filled...I like the shiny cladding on the side very much... looks quality...

I like actually...Looks very interantional...and of high standard...

It looks like a giant evil robot that has come to eat us all. :rant:


:laugh:

I counted about 31 to setback and 37 to top? It should still be a beast considering it's office, but it's not what you were hoping for from Foster is it?

But then I never liked the original design. Looked like a fat clumsy broken slab that's about to fall over.

It.... looks shiny at least :dunno:

Nevermind... at least you're getting proposals... it's more than some of us get :)

Thanks for all the info Jrb.

It's Sunley with some porta-cabins on top. F**k off Fosters, give me something to bone over.

Incidently, why the fook arnt the old courts going?! Iv been watchin patiently for ages to find out they're gonna get bulldozed.

Incidently, why the fook arnt the old courts going?! Iv been watchin patiently for ages to find out they're gonna get bulldozed.

I reckon the problem with that is that they would have to build a new building first. There is not enough court space as it is, there is no way they could lose that amount of CC capacity. They would have to build a new building before that one could be demolished.

And its too small. Boooooo

I withold judgement on 1HS until we have a confirmed final render.

Looks to me like they are simply playing around with ideas ATM.

I reckon the problem with that is that they would have to build a new building first. There is not enough court space as it is, there is no way they could lose that amount of CC capacity. They would have to build a new building before that one could be demolished.

Easy. Just do without the courts for a year or two.

And anyone who's unlucky enough to get put on trial for anything, Dunk the witchcraft bastards in the Irwell.

Sink or float, the choice is yours.

I think it looks OK, office buildings with multiple tenants tend to be boxy to standardise the floorplans. The roof is quite interesting and the canopy is a conversation piece. It might just need to grow on you. I bet there was a time when the taste of beer seemed unpleasant.

Looking closely at the top I dont think there are any gaps. Its just parts of it uses clear glass. Would make for a great view. Start the public skybar partition now.

A view from the front of Spinnigfields/Deansgate would be interesting!

They change the design more often on this thing than I change my underwear. Ahem. I don't immediately like it, but I wouldn't be too bothered if this was final. It's not a concrete breezeblock, at least, but then it's hardly inspiring, would have expected better. Hopefully it'll undergo more drastic revisions before final.

On first impressions it's ok height wise, not quite what we hoped for, but I really can't get my head round the design at all. It looks very boxy and there seems to be some Eastgate thing going on with the 3 different heights of the slabs. The roof? whats going on there? and that canopy is quite bizzare...I like how it's shiny though, thats about it so far. Hopefully the final renders will blow this one out of the water..Cheers for all the info though JRB..YOU DA MAN!! :)

thanks jrb - well done..

its very shiny tall box - not a bad one though eh, better than an 8 storey box.

wow, i like it, kinda. I think the canop may be there to make the public space inbetween it and 3 hmsq enclosed, kinda. It'll be interestind under it.

But you won't be able to see the shite at the top, so it's just like eastgate really. Similar height probs.

Just imagine what it'll be like walking through hardman sq

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/8426/costco111uc.jpg

Think of it from ground level FUCKING INCREDIBLE, wow, i can't beleive this is manchester.

anyone else notice the similarities between manchester house and cis?

(cheers jrb for all you work today :cheers: )

I'll reserve judgement for the time being until a better render comes along, not initially anything special though. Renders/shots from the air never really seem to have as much impact for me as renders from ground level.

anyone else notice the similarities between manchester house and cis?


I thought it was at first until I got my bearings!

Just imagine what it'll be like walking through hardman sq
A lot like walking through Canada Square ;)

Hmmmmmm, not sure about this. It looks nice and shiny but I preffered the slanted version. I'm looking forward to the final render though.

JRB - amazing stuff. Cheers! :cheers:

That canopy looks like an afterthought and yet again we're getting another box, I mean honestly! Oh well, hopefully they an improve on this in the near future, if they don't it will do but won't be anything special.

I really like it,, but like jrb said this is not the final design , bring it on :cheers:

cheers jrb :)

Can see the smilarities with Eastgate.

But it reminds me of Foster's HK and Shanghai Bank, mainly due to proportions. (Would love something like that in Manchester.)


http://www.askthebrain.com/pics/682/Hong_Kong_and_Shanghai_Bank.jpg


http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/hongkong087.jpg

I like it personally but I'll await the final design with real interest.

Don't like the canopy or the top of it. It's got a nice shine to it though lol, looks very polished on it's cladding.

Why Why Why. Its not hard to make the bloody thing look good. Why the fuck would you do that to the roof. Also the thing with the things that look like cores. Why do that. Put the bloody cores inside the building and dont just stop and make a stupid shity roof thing. Either stop where the floors are or keeping to the the top of the cores.
God this is so bad I am going to email them. :moods: :bleep: :mad2:
Why cant they just keep it simple instead of trying to be clever.

So Andy ,you would complain if the final design was like this ? i dont think so :) Foster is going to design a stunning tower for his home city , wait and see :)


http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/hongkong087.jpg[/QUOTE]


Why is everyone moaning it's a box blah blah blah , whats that crap on the roof blah blah blah. This is NOT the final design ,i really do believe this tower is going to be awsome.
Everytime we get a new tower proposal , people seem to react badly to it , because its not got a Swiss RE type wow factor to it. Come on lads every major city in the world is full of "boxed towers" , we've only just got our first tower in 40 fucking years being built. So a few more boxes will do nicely , thank you :)
Once all the proposals are built , this iconic tower everyone craves for WILL come , Rome was'nt built in a day , and neither will the new Manchester.

It's not all that bad. Preferred the second design. It's tall, not that elegant but functional. I like the Manchester house replacement better. Let's face it,it could have been worse and it may well look better in reality than this render

So Andy ,you would complain if the final design was like this ? i dont think so :) Foster is going to design a stunning tower for his home city , wait and see :)


http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/hongkong087.jpg
[/QUOTE]
Yes I dont like that one bit.

I think it's amazing.

Has anybody else noticed?!

The rendering that we thought was just a massing looks very similar to the latest rendering! Note the small tower on both of the renderings and the similarity shape wise of No1! Note the differences aswell! The base of No1 for instance!

http://www.spinningfields-manchester.com/images/spinningfields/spinning_buildings_2hsq_01.jpg

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg

Looks like Fosters are playing about with this design?

This is what architecture is all about in my book , Andy dos'nt like that example i gave him , but if Foster's tower ended up like that i would be over the moon to have such a fantastic building in Manchester.:)

The sides stick out like CJC aswell! You can't really see it on the other rendering!

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1843/costco98uu.jpg

The very presence of that funny canopy on this latest Spinningfields render together with the frequent redesigns suggets the architects have had major prooblems dealing with the air flow and turbulence issues in designing these buildings.

Lets hope the end result doesn't look compromised.


Gothic, any chance you could get an interview with Foster and Partners - this whole saga is certainly intruiging. Id be really interested to know what their vision is for Hardman Square and what has really influenced its seemingly constant evolution. It'd make for a fascinating story.

If not Foster and Partners perhaps Allied London would be willing to be interviewed about Spinningfields. Dealing with so many top architects, tenants other partners in shaping this huge swathe of central Manchester forever more would make for a fascinating interview too. I'd love to hear their perpective on things and what their overaching vision for the district is.... and whether after all these years and this constant evolution it is still as strong as it was at the start.

On the above aerial image the bumf underneath states that there will be "650,000 sq ft of column free floorplates of approx. 20,000 sq ft", so whats that 34/35 floors for a round figure.

sleepy, i dont know anyone at foster & partners. im slowly working my way up through the food chain of british architects and developers but im only at mid level so far - think carey jones, conran and partners, am currently trying to get some feelers into wilkinson eyre... the grimshaws, fosters and rogers of the world are still out of my reach! that said, perhaps the bartletts paper published yesterday on high rise living will help convince them im serious. actually, come to think about it, ive recently contributed to a book they are heavily involved in, i will ask the publisher for some contact details and see what gets thrown up.

I was unsure about the canopy at first and my 'reflex reaction' was to dislike it, but after further thought I'm growing to like it. It actually reaches out quite some way and so this would create a rather large area of the street that would be protected form the rain. Being ~15storeys up, far from having a negative impact on the St., could actually look superb, especially with the sun shining through it. Can I make loose comparisons to the Sony Centre in Berlin?
Again, all of this glass will create an ultra-modern area of the city, complementing the fine stone buildings that already exist, with a tower of substance as it's centre piece. As for the roof, I'll join Early Birds petition for a public viewing gallery! If as the design suggests this is a few storeys high, at the top of the building and with a glass roof, it would be an awesome space! (Skyscraper City xmas do 2008 anyone?)

Its a tall bugger isnt it? And even though its a "block", it has some interesting bits that does separate it from other buildings.

Im looking forward to the proper designs though and work finally starting

Im sure once the final design has been produced and providing it gets the go ahead peoples opinions will change. When i first saw the renders on what beetham was going to look like i thought to myslef, it looks crap, like a giant sheet of glass but now everytime i see it i think ,what a beaut shes gonna be when finished

Is that canopy actually glass though? If it is not transparent material it will not be good imo, even opaque will not do it. It's hard to tell from the render just what its made of.

I like it more the more I look at it.

See how the canopy comes out of the black stripe, is there another one higher up on the other side?

I do like the canopy idea mind....

I am still dissapointed with this design. All it is is 'okay'. We need better than that now. We've had tall flat buildings, now we need something that will really make the general public (not just us) go 'wow'. For instance, whats the only tall building that has attracted public attention, not the taller HSBC building but the inspiring Swiss Re. I was hoping this could be it, seems I was wrong...

Put it this way, Manchester arent breaking any boundaries with design at the moment with this avergae but ... elegant design. I like it, it just needs that something else to make me say WOW!

The only way this could ever 'wow' anyone in the rest of the country is if it were to become Britains tallest. They need a new shape in my opinion.

I agree, a new shape is needed in my eyes, but judging from the renders and pictures the building will have to be rather slim with the space available. Norman Foster is a v. good architect im sure he'll do better than this for the final design

I was expecting something alot better. A small set back would've been much more preferable to the canopy that they've plonked onto the side.

See how the canopy comes out of the black stripe, is there another one higher up on the other side?

I do like the canopy idea mind....

could be..looks like that.

Do other cities building towers have such a problem with 'down-wind' that they have to stick these half pipes half way up their buildings? Maybe that's it...half pipes for the Urbis skate crowd - looking for a way to move the matrix lot on.

Why does the Spinningfields website call the site 2 Hardman Square and the smaller building next door No. 1 Hardman Square? And any ideas what plot 104 is?

Looking at this again it looks like 3 Hardman St go further towards Harman Sq than its current footprint, and a new build will be right at the back of the new court building, making it in line with Manchester House.


http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg

I like it anyway

I like the new design, but I can't help thinking its a bit ordinary. The old design (IMO) was much more exciting and daring, but this one is OK I suppose. Why did they change the design, the first one stood out and looked more different...

See how the canopy comes out of the black stripe, is there another one higher up on the other side?

I do like the canopy idea mind....


I think it's actually at the same level. The other side is stepped back. I'm not sure the other side would need a canopy because the prevailing winds blow from the near side

They changed the design due to the amount of wind it created around the base of the building (that sounds weird but I don't know any technical terms, sorry!). I'm pretty sure they could have remedied it in a more subtle way than simply putting a shield up, I mean even I could do better than that!

Please remind me how many years we've been waiting for the design to be finalised? I know we'll probably find out more in June at the Allied London/Spinninfields open day, but what can the hold up be? Any ideas?

Office takers, Money, structural problems, people not meeting dead lines so they get fired and it has to be done again. It could be anything.

I dont think there as been any hold up, 1HS is going to be the final building in Spinningfeilds to be built,,the next to be built will be 3Hardman St , and the Hardman Blvd one next to CJC ,,but i do think we will hear something about it this year,Allied London are doing a fantastic job atm , there are delivering there promises, more than i can say about other un-named developers.

My prediction is that it will not be a box, and it will be stunning. 200m ish!

My prediction is that it will not be a box, and it will be stunning. 200m ish!

fingers crossed

or it could just be a stunning 200 metre high box? i hope not

Is/was this ever in the pipeline for 1HS? (I'm sorry - I'm terribly behind the times...)

Surely it's about time Foster produced something stunning for his native city...

1 Hardman Square
2004-03-05

Reported by Jonathan Smith

News: Manchester set for Norman Foster skyscraper

Manchester: The world renowned architectural firm Foster and Partners is set to transform the skyline of the city of Manchester with a stunning 35-storey office tower.

The building, known as 1 Hardman Square, is part of Allied London's mixed-use Spinningfields development, a high profile scheme that has been charged with transforming Manchester into an office location of international significance. Foster has penned four buildings for the next stages of the scheme, totalling 140,000sq m of offices and retail space centred on a new public space.

The tower itself is a 35-storey triangular glass tower, with twin spires and a raking roofline that echoes Manchester's recent high-rise vernacular, as seen in No.1 Deansgate, Great Northern Tower and The Edge. The scheme appears to include a second tower of approximately 20 storeys, identical to the taller tower in design.

1 Hardman Square follows hot on the hells of Beetham Tower, a 47-storey mixed-use tower designed by Ian Simpson Architects that is already under construction, and promises to add yet another exciting modern landmark to Manchester's skyline. A planning application is expected to be submitted in the summer.

It was, but IMHO the triangular shape was impractical/inefficient/uneconomic in that it reduced the floorplates and threw away half the usable space. The latest design I saw is a green mirrorglass rectangle about forty stories high, kinda the same height as Beetham but twice as wide. See the 1 Hardman Square thread on page 2 of the threads list.

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg

Cheers BG, it is about time Foster produced his piece de resistance pour Manchester.

That proposal is really odd, Farsight. I've never before been aware of a building with a canopy to deflect downdrafts, if that is what it's for....?

This building makes the Opera House to its right look tiny.
Is it possible that the canopy provides a rain shelter (for the forecourt) as well as negating down draughts?

Thanks Farsight. Not sure about that design at all. Quite disappointed if truth be told. I know it's not the final design, but it's hardly inspiring.

This building makes the Opera House to its right look tiny.
Is it possible that the canopy provides a rain shelter (for the forecourt) as well as negating down draughts?

No idea mate, somebody will pipe up soon and tell us. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it was something to do with wind.

No idea mate, somebody will pipe up soon and tell us. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it was something to do with wind.
Yeh, I'm 'avin a bit of a flatulence problem meself these days... :cheers:

I was hoping we'd get something stunning like the gherkin or this:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/616/2824renderrepsol1.jpg

Im confident the final design will av more of a wow appeal to it, looks like the area where 1hs is to be built is a bit on the narrow side so that could possibly limit shape, but then again beetham is quite narrow

I was hoping we'd get something stunning like the gherkin or this:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/616/2824renderrepsol1.jpg

that's a bit like this

http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/photos/nuevo-leon/monterrey/monterrey-picture-of-mexico-4-valleoriente.jpg

Perhaps those are just concept renders.

We'll probably get the latest info at the spinny open day. To be honest I'm pretty confident in this one. It's gonna be good.

I was hoping we'd get something stunning like the gherkin or this:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/616/2824renderrepsol1.jpg

Oh yes please.

The Repsol tower in Madrid is interesting enough, but in this day and age do you really get that many fabulous or interesting looking office towers built when the building is not actually designed directly for a sitting key client/when the developer themselves are not going to take residence within it?

Surely Allied London's concern here is not to spend lots of money making it special or iconic in any way, they just want it functional, thus why the triangular version would probably never have been built even if it were not for downdraught problems - it wasted too much space.

that design would sit perfectly with CJC mind..

I can't see it being a let down, either way I don't want it to look like the massing renders.. they're all horrid, lol..

that design would sit perfectly with CJC mind..

It does overall sort of fit in I suppose, maybe they could just make recesses into the thing?

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/702/costco1313qh.jpghttp://img173.imageshack.us/img173/8426/costco111uc.jpg

I've not seen Spinningfield from this angle before - thanks for the Pic Weastedevil . The development looks quite crowded from this view That canopy looks terrible - do we definitley know that it's purpose of being there is to do with the wind. I can only guess it must be - I mean it's obviously not there for any aesthetic reasons and it certainly don't need a sunshade.

All I think that we know is that they were having problems with downdraughts with the previous designs. I reckon they needed to stick something into that render for its release, so said - box, wind sheilds. I predict that it will not look anything like that in the end, and will be a great tower, and will be slightly different, but I wouldn't expect a Swiss RE.

Oh, the image was originally posted by JRB many months ago. It's in the first Spinningfields Open Day thread, but not easy to find.

Is this any help. There's no reference for No1.

Foster is supposed to be on No3 though.....

http://www.spinningfields-manchester.com/spinningfields/buildings_3HardmanSq.htm

I reckon the top needs work. Give it a point or something, or make it look like CJC turned on its side.

Farsight, its gonna take more than reworking the top for me to accept this tower, I know it's tall but its fat and ugly. There is nothing appealing about it if you ask me[not that you did] It looks like a taller fatter version of City Tower just with different cladding and some weird roof arrangement. Its HIDEOUS!!!!

It's a shame because virtually all the new buildings in Spinningfields are sleek and modern looking this just looks clumsy and dare I say it, like someone asked the new boy to come up with something that fits that space. Hate it.

Manchester deserves better than this :)

Farsight, its gonna take more than reworking the top for me to accept this tower, I know it's tall but its fat and ugly. There is nothing appealing about it if you ask me[not that you did] It looks like a taller fatter version of City Tower just with different cladding and some weird roof arrangement. Its HIDEOUS!!!!

It's a shame because virtually all the new buildings in Spinningfields are sleek and modern looking this just looks clumsy and dare I say it, like someone asked the new boy to come up with something that fits that space. Hate it.

Manchester deserves better than this :)

I'm afraid I agree. The reason I wanted Foster to do something in Manchester is because he'd created special buildings around the world, and I wanted Manchester to have a special building. The fact that Foster & Co have designed this means nothing to me - because it could have been designed by any Jo Blo - at any time in the last 20 years.

Largeness is its only plus. You can talk about quality cladding, but any building no matter what the design would look better with better cladding.

It could barely be duller. Well I say it could barely be duller, what I mean is that it is extremely dull and boring, but with an ugly thing plonked on its top and on its arse just to take away any (barely) redeeming feature the simplicity of a plain box would have had.

Those of you going on the Spinningfields have a duty to either a) report back with excellent news of a stunning new redesign, or b) kick up a stink about this joke.

Foster - do you hate Manchester or summat?

It will not be the final design lads. It has just been plonked in so that render of "Spinningfields Completed" had its tall building in when they went to press with the brochure. Look at the Spinningfields website, there are no images for this building. If that was the design for the building it would be in there.

The fact that Foster & Co have designed this means nothing to me -

Or maybe Manchester just means nothing to Foster, sure you can give us all the sound bites you want about designing something for the city that gave you your education but its just words.

This design says Manchester means fuck all to him and we are not deserving of something truly Iconic and world class.

This design says Manchester means fuck all to him and we are not deserving of something truly Iconic and world class.

That's all well and good, but he/they will have to work with whatever land footprint, target client need specifications and cost constraints Allied London give them.

yep and an architect of his standing should be able to come up with the goods, so far it hasn't materialised.

Incidently there's bugger all on his website about it, no mention of it at all on the project's list. Maybe he isn't designing anything for us and it was all hot air from Allied London to draw interest.
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/

Roly: Let's see now. Big buildings like this tend to be a decorated rectangular box, or a set of boxes. Sure it's nice to have some curves. But curves cost money. My house isn't curved. CJC isn't curved, Beetham isn't curved, we don't need curves. Triangles are cheaper than curves, and personally I'd like to see some. But you can still create beautiful buildings out of decorated boxes. So, lwhat's wrong with this one?

I think the first thing that stands out is that it's just a single box. CJC looks more like three slim boxes, Eastgate likewise. Beetham is maybe two boxes end on end. So, maybe this would look better if it was three boxes? Personally one box will do me if the other stuff is right, but each to their own.

Now, let's think about the top. I'd really love to see a pointy top to this one. I like slopey roofs. They're kinda thrusting, reaching for the skies, inspirational. And if it isn't pointy I'd like something that forms a definite cap-end to them boxes I was on about. Albany's Crown building has this sort of thing. The effect is like a head or a hat, it gives the building more of a face, more personality. Think of CIS, it looks like Bender out of Futurama, defintiely got personality.

Then there's the relief. I like to see a building that sticks in and out a bit. It shows the eyes the thickness of the walls, and makes the building look safe and strong. This has a psychologically pleasing effect, not that you realise it. This doesn't really have any relief, shame. Three boxes would give it relief.

And there's also the surface treatment. This looks like International-style glass curtain walls. Like Beetham and Eastgate. It's practical, and economic, and there's not much to complain about there. But I have to say I do like the looks of CJC with its varied surfaces and colour. It makes me feel wow, 21st Century, rather than gee, 1970.

So, where does that leave us. I think I'm saying I want a hat and surface variation and colour. You might want want multiple boxes as well. I think we'd all love some curves.

Yep. I think we'd all love some curves, and some relief, and a top like this...

http://www.tourismgoldcoast.com/q1/q1_resort_and_spa_pool_big.jpg

Wow. Give it to me baby.

I never mentioned curves Farsight, I just think this design is poor and ugly. I'm sorry if I can't wax lyrical about relief or surface treatments or down drafts due to me knowing bugger all about architecture but I know an ugly clumsy looking building when I see one, and this fits that description.

It doesn't have to be curved or even have a soaring spire but it doesn't have to look like Rick Waller either, ie: Tall-but fat and ugly.

Anyway I've just emailed Fosters so lets see if they can shed any more light on the situation without giving away too much of course.

Yep. I think we'd all love some curves, and some relief, and a top like this...

http://www.tourismgoldcoast.com/q1/q1_resort_and_spa_pool_big.jpg

Wow. Give it to me baby.
You mean that bird in the swimming pool don't you :)

Aw, go for it roly, send 'em a picture of Q1 and ask 'em why it ain't like this and did they put the lad on it.

^^bit patronising that

I'm only offering up my opinion Farsight, I know nobody on here takes me seriously and I'm fine with that but no need to patronise me.

I've defended you enough times on here, lets not spoil that

I didn't mean to patronise you, roly! I meant to patronise Norman Foster.

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/5297/costco81zc.jpg



Hmmm.... not the most inspiring design I've ever seen but I'm sure the final product will end up radically different to this one. I can't quite elocute my thoughts on it but it seems like it just didn't involve much thought, although as mentioned earlier maybe it was just thrown in to quickly produce a glossy brochure picture. As for the canopy I can only assume Foster is a smoker and is showing a bit of solidarity with his fellow rain-sodden office Marlboro men (& women)

Here's a curve-ball for you; for a building to be "iconic" does it not need a number of more "ordinary" structures around it to emphasize it's iconic-ness? With Betham, GN, 1 Deansgate, CJC and subsequently Eastgate are we not in danger of having so many striking looking buildings that another "icon" will lose it's impact? Maybe in that context it's not necessarily a bad thing if 1HS is a bit plain?

NB. What's the building in the top left hand corner of the picture, is it in the pipeline or is it just a shape thrown into the shot for effect?

That's Manchester House, we think that's happening.

Cheers Roly. Looks a bit CIS-esque

god I hope it looks better than that:runaway:

I love the CIS, but only because of what it is and how it must've looked all those years ago when it was new. I don't think I'd be too enamoured with it if it was built last week.

Weaste Devil's Spinningfields piccie shows it a bit better, it looks like they've had Ian "Alan Titchmarsh" Simpson round for tea upstairs :lol:

CJC looks good on that pic

I don't know about you guys, but if 1HS had some of the attributes of CJC I'd be well chuffed. I used to think it would be kinda dull and a bit odd, but now think this is the most modern looking new building we've got. I get this wow surge whenever I look at it.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cjc2304.jpg


Thanks pookey for the picture.

PS: That Manchester House redevelopment reminds me of a cross between CIS and that little CIS building down Portman Street. Very fifties. And nowhere near as nice as the current Manchester House.

Are there any other renders of the manchester house proposals? looks like theres a greenhouse containing a few bushes on top in that render

I remember somebody saying that design for Manc House was out of date. It has now been replaced by twin towers apparently.

I remember somebody saying that design for Manc House was out of date. It has now been replaced by twin towers apparently.

Twin towers you say accy, how about this set up. Summat like fosters Hearst tower for no.1 and summat like the time warner centre (twin towers) at Manchester house, both in NY, both in this pic:

http://static.flickr.com/55/137232975_08a9c5824c.jpg?v=0

America knows how to build towers.

I don't know about you guys, but if 1HS had some of the attributes of CJC I'd be well chuffed. I used to think it would be kinda dull and a bit odd, but now think this is the most modern looking new building we've got. I get this wow surge whenever I look at it.

Have you seen it in the flesh recently Farsight? You definitely get a wow surge when you do. I'd go as far as saying that CJC is the best looking new building I can think of in the UK. Compare it those rectanguar slabs in Canary Wharf. It's not quite on the same scale, but still.

^^ I think what you're trying to say is it's the most UNIQUE building U/C in the UK and I'm inclined to agree wholeheartedly.:)

All I think that we know is that they were having problems with downdraughts with the previous designs. I reckon they needed to stick something into that render for its release, so said - box, wind sheilds. I predict that it will not look anything like that in the end, and will be a great tower, and will be slightly different, but I wouldn't expect a Swiss RE.

There is already a big problem with wind down there. It often blows a gale between the CJC and the courts building- and that's without most of Spinningfields being completed. A tall building could make it a lot worse.

^^ If it's good enough for Chicago!

ahh the windy city

Politics not wind apparently, something to do with wind bags

Its a lot more windy at the Beetham end of Deansgate these days, anyone noticed? Is that what those fins are for. I have seen landscape practices putting large trees at the base of large developments recently to counter the wind factor, but there's no room at the base of Beetham.

As i understand it (ie. not at all) the fins are to break up the wind as it hits the building thus minimising the strong down draughts. I think there is going to be some planting at street level at The Hilton but probaly not enough!
I like wind anyway! It makes me giddy.
When i was teaching we used to dread windy days though because the kids would come in after break far too giddy. Sunny days were better - they were too monged out to be naughty!

Dear Kevin,

We are designing Hardman Square on the Spinningfield development.

Not all of our projects are listed on our website so for information on the
scheme you have to go to the News section and then go to a press release
from the 3/10/2005 where there is more information on the scheme.

Kind Regards,

Jill Read
Press & PR Co-ordinator
Foster and Partners
Riverside Three
22 Hester Road
London SW11 4ANTel: 020 7738 0455

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/

^^ not what I had in mind

clear as mud then :weird:

I've emailed her back for some clarification on No1, fingers crossed she can shed some light on it for us.

Thanks Roly.

No Jongey, but noted. I look forward to seeing CJC in the flesh.

^^ If it's good enough for Chicago!

The wind in Chicago is the bluster of it's inhabitants forever talking the place up. (apparently) That wind around Quay Street is shocking.

If the wind is so powerful, then why don't more people take advantage and put wind turbines on their roof a la CIS.

If the wind is so powerful, then why don't more people take advantage and put wind turbines on their roof a la CIS.
They'd be better on the ground.

The wind in Chicago is the bluster of it's inhabitants forever talking the place up. (apparently) That wind around Quay Street is shocking.
Chicagoans do go off at the mouth about their city but it actually is a windy city, as in blustering great gusts blowing in off Lake Michigan.
I've been about six times over the past fifteen years (all seasons) and it's been fairly windy on four of those visits. The tall buildings just make worse.

But thats not the reason why its called the windy city, its to do with politics.

Chicagoans do go off at the mouth about their city but it actually is a windy city, as in blustering great gusts blowing in off Lake Michigan.
I've been about six times over the past fifteen years (all seasons) and it's been fairly windy on four of those visits. The tall buildings just make worse.

True, whatever the reason for Chicago being called the windy city- I know it's to do with politics, the weather is very windy as well. It was consistenly windy when I visited last year. Apparently the average wind speed in Chicago is 15 mph, which is a very high average.

It seems that the images we have for the proposed No1 HS are out of date.I received this email from Fosters&Partners today



Dear Kevin,

I asked the project architect and he responded with the following;

Our buildings at Hardman Square are nos 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Both the images provided are now old schemes for the tower (No 1 Hardman
Square). We are still working with Allied London Properties on the project
however we have never submitted a Planning Application for nos 1 and 2.
Nos 3 and 4 are half-way through construction.

I hope this is of help.

Kind Regards,

Jill

Lets hope something seriously spunktastic gets designed for No1 :)

nice work sarge.

I'm glad the current render of the tower is out of date. I looked very disappointing and untidy to me.

I actually liked the second version that floated around. The one that looked like No2? (Halliwells) but 3x bigger.

It seems that the images we have for the proposed No1 HS are out of date.I received this email from Fosters&Partners today



Dear Kevin,

I asked the project architect and he responded with the following;

Our buildings at Hardman Square are nos 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Both the images provided are now old schemes for the tower (No 1 Hardman
Square). We are still working with Allied London Properties on the project
however we have never submitted a Planning Application for nos 1 and 2.
Nos 3 and 4 are half-way through construction.

I hope this is of help.

Kind Regards,

Jill

Lets hope something seriously spunktastic gets designed for No1 :)


Get work Roly - I'm dead pleased that last render isn't the final design.

It seems that the images we have for the proposed No1 HS are out of date.I received this email from Fosters&Partners today



Dear Kevin,

I asked the project architect and he responded with the following;

Our buildings at Hardman Square are nos 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Both the images provided are now old schemes for the tower (No 1 Hardman
Square). We are still working with Allied London Properties on the project
however we have never submitted a Planning Application for nos 1 and 2.
Nos 3 and 4 are half-way through construction.

I hope this is of help.

Kind Regards,

Jill

Lets hope something seriously spunktastic gets designed for No1 :)

That's intriguing news Roly. Hopefully all/somethimg will be revealed in June at the Allied London open day?

yep lets hope so, you lot better come back with the goods :)

she's a star that Jill.

yep lets hope so, you lot better come back with the goods :)

she's a star that Jill.

The thumbscrews will be on that man.

We've always known though that No.1 is only outline planning for a certain sized tower.

Good one Roly.








And just in case anybody's peeping....


http://www.tourismgoldcoast.com/q1/q1_resort_and_spa_pool_big.jpg

Nice one roly. Good fishin'

I think i'll pitch my fantasie too:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/49TheLeadenhallBuilding_pic1.jpg

+

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/46LondonBridgeTower_pic2.jpg

Wind issues/space management issues aside, the first foster render we had was bloody exciting and international looking. If the revised tower is half hearted MCC should tell blinkin Picasso lookalike to 'rack off', then place it back out to tender - I'm sure our local architects would come up trumps with such a canvass.

Norman Foster
http://www-utenti.dsc.unibo.it/~morellli/ig/immagini/Picasso%20foto.JPG
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1043804523869_2003/01/31/biz_building.jpg

Norman Foster today:

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

"No 1 Hardman Square? Make it so!"

No 1 Hardman Square back out to tender?! I dooooon't belieeeeeve it!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/images/800/onefootinthegrave_2.jpg

Foster:

The steel lattice makes this Sydney Deutsche Bank building look like some shortarse in a big hat trying to stretch up to the big boys.

7/10 see me. Must try harder next time.

http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/5345/20232/t/92890-A-view-of-the-Sydney-from-the-Botanical-Gardens-0.jpg

He did the Commerzbank Building in Frankfurt, which similarly stretches up to pretend that it's bigger than the beautiful Messeturm.

http://germany.archiseek.com/hesse/frankfurt/images/commerzbank.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Messeturm_%28Messegel%C3%A4nde%29_Frankfurt-2.jpg/200px-Messeturm_%28Messegel%C3%A4nde%29_Frankfurt-2.jpg

The steel lattice makes this Sydney Deutsche Bank building look like some shortarse in a big hat trying to stretch up to the big boys.

7/10 see me. Must try harder next time.

But his Manchester spired effort looked the complete part - his sydney build would suit Old Trafford.

I did like these original plans...sigh...

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic3.jpg

Has anyone herd anything about this recently it seems to av just disapeared and been forgotten has there even been a proposal sent manny cud do with this building i really like the sloped design.

The slope design was revoked unfortunatley...

If you go back through this thread your'll find also sorts of renders. An Example on post 78. Its more of a box shape.

Seems the new design for No1 still hasn't been decided upon, or if it has, Allied are still keeping it a closely guarded secret.

Manchester at MIPIM 2007.

Allied are still using one of the old design for No1 which they released two years ago to market Spinningfields scheme at this years MIPIM expo. Very poor indeed.

http://www.marketingmanchester.com/news/images/uploaded/1/9/19ef4f7161a74623.jpg

News & Press

General

Friday, February 16, 2007

SPINNINGFIELDS ATTAINS NEW HEIGHTS IN MANCHESTER

Allied London's Spinningfields continues its march ever forward in establishing itself as being without equal in the hierarchy of office locations throughout Europe.

Since its launch in July 2000 more than 1,000,000 sq ft of offices have been let to some of the world's leading organisations in the professional and financial services world.

In addition, this new business district is home to the 350,000 sq ft Civil Justice Centre; the 250,000 sq ft new Magistrates Court and the new 400 luxury apartment building on Leftbank.

In close collaboration with their partners, Manchester City Council, Allied London's approach of providing well designed, high quality, large flexible floorplate buildings with stunning architecture has again paid dividends over the last 12 months. With existing occupiers, Royal Bank of Scotland, Guardian Media Group and Deloittes, shortly to be joined by Halliwells, Grant Thornton and HSBC on completion of 3 and 4 Hardman Square over the next few months; and 3 Hardman Street on schedule to welcome Barclaycard in early 2008, the merits of Allied London's approach speaks for itself.

Out of the planned 16 imposing landmark buildings, each the result of a design competition, 9 are now either complete or virtually complete. The spectacular new £160M CJC Building - the largest Courthouse outside London - provides a contemporary working environment and along with the rest of the commercial space, has set new standards for office accommodation in the Regions in general and Manchester in particular. They stand favourable comparison with office buildings in London or other European cities.

The sheer size, scale and unrivalled location of Spinningfields, together with its striking architecture and generous and attractive public realm have made it one of the most sought after developments in the country, with both occupiers and investors alike.

Investor confidence has remained strong as Funds recognise the potential that Spinningfields has to offer and have been keen to invest in this world class development. Morley Fund Management and Legal & General have recently invested more than £250M in three of the Spinningfields buildings.

This phenomenal success is now enabling the original vision for a vibrant mixed use scheme to unfold. The office buildings have been planned to incorporate active ground floor retail and leisure frontages. Allied London are now proposing to create a haute couture retail quarter within Spinningfields attracting luxury fashion houses and furniture retailers to compliment the city's existing retail and leisure offer.

On the retail front, Carluccios, Bar ha ha, Giraffe and Yo! Sushi are just some of the names set to join Wagamama and EAT, who are already trading. Familiar Manchester names Cafý Rouge and Shimla Pinks will also be represented.

The exclusive Leftbank residential element of Spinningfields has become one of the most sought after addresses in the region with 75% of the apartments having been sold.

Allied London's Chief Executive, Michael Ingall, maintains that much of the success of Spinningfields is down to the partnership approach under which it has been brought forward with the City Council and his team's unrelenting desire and commitment to deliver a truly first class all embracing business environment.

A walk round Spinningfields reveals his philosophy is certainly working.

http://www.manchesteratmipim.com/index.asp

I weep. Oh what could have been.(by now) :cry:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2151HardmanSquare_pic3.jpg

jrb don't worry I bet that Allied are messing us around and they'll submit something amazing for the final building.

Great detective work by Tate's.

If it's correct, we're looking at a tower the height of Taipei Metro (165m/541f, 41 stories). :) Images below.

And don't forget this little snippet from Property Week. Come on, someone must have access to Property Week.

Spinningfields gets ready for £300m spree

Tate's find.

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

Taipei Metro

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei16-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei14-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei15-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei18-1.jpg

You shouldn't do that jrb!

Everytime I open the 'Sir Norman Foster and 1 Hardman Square...' thread to new posts - especially by you - I hope its breaking news on a new design. And for you to post a series of pics of some Taiwanese tower fooling me into thinking they are the new 1HS before reading your post is just cruel!

Great detective work by Tate's.

If it's correct, we're looking at a tower the height of Taipei Metro (165m/541f, 41 stories). :) Images below.

And don't forget this little snippet from Property Week. Come on, someone must have access to Property Week.



Tate's find.

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

Taipei Metro

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei16-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei14-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei15-1.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/taipei18-1.jpg

No1 hardman sqaure is under construction?

No1 hardman sqaure is under construction?

"There are also several other tall buildings which are currently being planned or are in the early stages of construction"

Did a bit of discrete fishing........

http://lazerman.tripod.com/urigeller/urigeller.jpg

Not a spoon.

One tiny bend.

Mentioned No1.

"The grass won't be there for ever."

Not helping.

Taken from PW. The new ad for No3. New/updated masterplan.

Look at the shape of No1. It's been moved aswell.(very slightly)

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

Memories. :) It's nice to be reminded every now and again what was originally planned.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/manc_hardman4.jpg

I am sure that this will get built, I just cant see them cutting corners or cutting back on the original masterplan.

Can anyone help me out with this? I'm not being lazy, I have walked round the site and pored over the Spinningfields website, but I just can't work out where 1 and 2 Hardman Square are going to go. The website seems to have them fronting Quay Street, next to the Opera House? But as far as I can see, there are already buildings there...

I know I'm missing something, and probably being very dense, but if someone could try to describe the location to me (or even better show me on a photo or map) I would be eternally grateful as it's been bugging me for ages

Thanks in advance..

Yeh, they're being knocked down. :)

They'll also be built on the green patch behind those buildings.

Can anyone help me out with this? I'm not being lazy, I have walked round the site and pored over the Spinningfields website, but I just can't work out where 1 and 2 Hardman Square are going to go. The website seems to have them fronting Quay Street, next to the Opera House? But as far as I can see, there are already buildings there...

I know I'm missing something, and probably being very dense, but if someone could try to describe the location to me (or even better show me on a photo or map) I would be eternally grateful as it's been bugging me for ages

Thanks in advance..

Hope this old little pic helps?

http://www.marketingmanchester.com/news/images/uploaded/1/9/19ef4f7161a74623.jpg

Hope this old little pic helps?

http://www.marketingmanchester.com/news/images/uploaded/1/9/19ef4f7161a74623.jpg

Its a shame its all gone quiet. JRB, "wicked wizard", "the don", you have any idea when we can expect some more news on this?

thanks. dan

Its a shame its all gone quiet. JRB, "wicked wizard", "the don", you have any idea when we can expect some more news on this?

thanks. dan

Not a sausage D. Don't expect anything until No3, 2 Spinningfields Square and
2 & 3 Hardman Boulevard have been completed. The office block on Quay Street earmarked for demolition is being used by the Spinningfields contractors. Unfortunately the grass is here to stay for a while methinks.

Hope this old little pic helps?

http://www.marketingmanchester.com/news/images/uploaded/1/9/19ef4f7161a74623.jpg

Gotcha. Cheers fella. Buy you a beer when I get my £50 off City of Gold. :cheers:

One further question, if I may. The masterplan shows a development at 1 Hardman Street - was anything ever released about this? It either incorporates or backs directly onto the current court buildings at 184/186 Deansgate. Obviously these are going to be vacated when the CJC opens, but I can't imagine they aren't listed. Any ideas?

Crown Court staying where it is.
Crown Court = criminal cases
CJC = Civil cases (the clue is in the name)

Gotcha. Cheers fella. Buy you a beer when I get my £50 off City of Gold. :cheers:

One further question, if I may. The masterplan shows a development at 1 Hardman Street - was anything ever released about this? It either incorporates or backs directly onto the current court buildings at 184/186 Deansgate. Obviously these are going to be vacated when the CJC opens, but I can't imagine they aren't listed. Any ideas?


listed Grade II, I believe - and built as Tax Offices (hence the royal arms). Not by any means a building that would be much missed if it were to be demolished - but I suppose it fills a stretch of Deansgate well enough, and provides an effective foil for some of the showier constructions.

Crown Court staying where it is.
Crown Court = criminal cases
CJC = Civil cases (the clue is in the name)

What's the Crown Court got to do with it? I'm talking about 184/186 Deansgate which are used for overspill civil cases, smartypants.

What's the Crown Court got to do with it? I'm talking about 184/186 Deansgate which are used for overspill civil cases, smartypants.

Yes do apologise. Didnt read your post properly. Youve seen my pants then eh?
They are pretty smart arent they?

The rule is "Never listen to Longford he is usually wrong - always listen to Nerd he is always right"

Gotcha. Cheers fella. Buy you a beer when I get my £50 off City of Gold. :cheers:

One further question, if I may. The masterplan shows a development at 1 Hardman Street - was anything ever released about this? It either incorporates or backs directly onto the current court buildings at 184/186 Deansgate. Obviously these are going to be vacated when the CJC opens, but I can't imagine they aren't listed. Any ideas?

There's a bigger render/Picture in this thread Lachlan.(post 15)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=346096&highlight=no1+spinningfields

Very interesting - sorry to have missed that. I hadn't appreciated it involved demolition of perfectly serviceable buildings - although obviously I would be delighted with the replacement of them it it will look anything like this.

Impressed with the new look Manchester House on those renders. Clearly a long way off being built, unfortunately. I can't see any major speculative builds for a few year, so without a massive pre-let, both 1HS and M/cr House are a good few years off. Still, I can wait...

It may not seem like much, but this is BIG news! :banana:

Sir Bob's firm backs city
Simon Donohue
17/ 7/2007

TEN Alps media is relocating its Manchester workforce as it expands into the production of digital video content for a new raft of web-based TV stations.

The company, which currently employs 250 people at its Manchester and Macclesfield offices, will move its city headquarters from Quay House in Quay Street to the newly refurbished Grade II-listed Bridgewater House in Whitworth Street.

New staff will be signed up in manchester as Ten Alps launches digital TV channels of its own and wins contracts to provide content to third parties.

Ten Alps already broadcasts the Teachers TV channel via the internet and has arrangement to manage provide a local authority-owned web broadcaster called Kent TV.

From September, the group plans to launch one new digital TV station on to the internet per month, while forging further relationships with local authorities and other third parties which require digital content.

Co-founded by Sir Bob Geldof, Ten Alps is a diverse London-based business split into the fields of digital, communications and broadcast.

The north west operation, which includes the vast majority of the Ten Alps sales team and its event management arm, already boasts annual turnover in the region of £40m.

The company has been highly acquisitive in recent months and believes that having a significant base in Manchester will be beneficial when the BBC's move to Salford takes place.

Adrian Dunleavy is chief executive of Ten Alps's communications division and lives in Cheshire. He said: "Manchester is becoming increasingly important as a media city, and it's a great place to live and work."


So? I hear you ask? Well, check where Quay House is:!

http://www.link2content.co.uk/images/mchr_thumb.gif

Now, the ball surely is beginning to roll for 1HS! :cheers: :banana:

It says they are moving *from* Quay street though, to Whitworth Street. There's no mention of who will replace them in Quay street but I'm sure they'll fill it. It could leaves space to house some business temporarily while new developments at Spinningfields pop up.

Note the complete lack of a mention of 'Media City' and Salford, mind.

Leaving Quay house before it's demolition?:)

Quay House is where 1HS is being built, so it needs to be emptied before it gets knocked down of course, so i doubt it'll be re-filled, even if it is temporarily!!

Quay House is where 1HS is being built, so it needs to be emptied before it gets knocked down of course, so i doubt it'll be re-filled, even if it is temporarily!!

Ah, now I get you. I'm still getting my head around eveything here. Spinningfields seems much less narrow and overbearing now that loads of the hoarding seems to have dissapreared.

I struggle to ever see Spinningfields having much of a buzz though. You'll rarely walk through it to get somewhere. It will almost always be a destination rather than a thoroughfare used by passing pedestrians to access other parts of the city. Not much you can do about that though, given the Irwell.

1HS site is still to be green space for a while though isn't it? Even so, roll on the demolision.

Ah, now I get you. I'm still getting my head around eveything here. Spinningfields seems much less narrow and overbearing now that loads of the hoarding seems to have dissapreared.

I struggle to ever see Spinningfields having much of a buzz though. You'll rarely walk through it to get somewhere. It will almost always be a destination rather than a thoroughfare used by passing pedestrians to access other parts of the city. Not much you can do about that though, given the Irwell.

1HS site is still to be green space for a while though isn't it? Even so, roll on the demolision.

I'd have to disagree with you there Macc, the amount of shops and restaurants bars will keep the place busy in it's own right, before you even take the courts and offices into consdieration. The bridge link to Salford Central Station will overcome many of the Irwell barrier issues.
Also when you look at the surrounding developments in years to come: Chapel St, Middlewood and the Granada Site. It will be a terrific extension to the city centre.

Re No. 1 This just sounds like one company moving offices. I wouldn't start holding my breath just yet, but i do think it will happen. Eventually.

http://www.spinningfields-manchester.com


1 Hardman Square

1 Hardman Square is a Foster and Partners designed office tower and luxury hotel to be developed in its own defined area of public realm. A 200 bedroom five star hotel will occupy the top floors in the building with panoramic views of the city.
Capable of providing a multitude of entrances and lobbies for occupiers, this building will contain some 650,000 sq ft of column free floor plates of approximately 20,000 sq ft.
The building will provide for significant drama at ground floor level with a double height entrance lobby with the various lift banks being accessed either from the ground or via a series of escalators depending on which part of the building is being accessed.
A full range of shopping and restaurant facilities are proposed around Hardman
Square, which in itself will be one of the largest areas of public realm within Manchester.
Architect
Foster and Partners
Status:
Estimated Start: Summer 2009
Estimated Completion: Winter 2011

http://www.coolnoise.co.uk/images/boomtimes.jpg

If we only knew what it looked like now....

If they estimate a start of Summer 2009, then a planning application will have to go in soon + demolition of Quay house pretty sharpish.

You'd think so anyway, lets hope.

650 000 sq ft divided by 20 000 sq ft floor plates = about 32 storeys.

If this 32 includes the hotel, then you could be looking at 120-130m

If it doesn't, then 130-150m?

Unless the 650,000 ft of column free floor space may be referring to just the office element, so you could be looking at 32 floors of office + however many floors for the hotel?

Who knows eh?!

That's what I said, I think :)

Something like this wot he done in that there Moscow would be nice...

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/content/projects/1405/123486.jpg

(...I hope no one scrolls down and for second thinks this is 1HS...we should be so lucky!)

Bump...

...This has been proposed in Lyon, 36 floors (presumably office), 200m.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6452/incity2an2.jpg

Something similar would be nice?!

I'd love to see a design like the "Turning Torso" in Sweden built where 1HS will go ,something daring and iconic .

Up to date site plan taken from the recently submitted Crown Square planning application. Note No1 Hardman Square is 'still' shaped the same.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/55-1.jpg

1. Shows height of No1 Hardman Square. Wow! (missing from the original scan)
2. Shows split in tower. Hotel/office or residential. Sections give way to clear panels. (again hard to see in original scan)
3. Shows what I believe is a model/massing of No2 Hardman Square.
4. Shows No3 Hardman Square.(roughly five and a half times smaller than the tower)
5. Shows the RBS building. (roughly the same height as No3 Hardman Square. Giving the impression that the models are to scale)
6. Shows No 3 Hardman Street. (Again model seem's to be to scale)

Well. What does everyone think? Height please.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/spinning301copy.jpg


:)

holy fuck, that's massive.

that must be over 250m surely? :O

:nuts: Im speechless, it cant be right, but it would confirm the 200m+ theory judging it in relation to 3 Hardman Street. :)

CJC is on the right of the pic popping over 3 Hardman Street.

If that model is to scale were in for one big bugger :)

I went into Quay House the other day ( my solicitor is in there ) its bloody deserted i dont know who's still working in there but the whole 3rd floor is empty and 3/4 of the 4th floor is empty ,, Allied London are using the 1st floor as a canteen , i think once 3 Hardman St is complete Quay House will bite the dust .

Aren't they still advertising space available to new occupants in Quay House?

I counted this in Photoshop... looks to be at least 50 floors.

i hope this isn't a peel-esque tactic- show off the most impressive thing you can envisage then build the most average thing your budget can afford. remember these:
(50, 35, 35, 25 floors)....let's not get too excited about a massing model (well, ok, secretly i am:)).
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/searchresults.php?nameAddress=quay+point&postcode=&council=&county=&region=&country=&status=&buildinguse=&completiondate=&heritagestatus=&roofheight=&spireheight=&eitherHeight=&floors=&landcost=&constructioncost=&lastsalesvalue=&companies=
from this:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/342QuayPointTower1_pic1.jpg
to this!
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/5188MediacityBuildingC_pic1.jpg
(http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5188)

If that model is to scale were in for one big bugger :)

I went into Quay House the other day ( my solicitor is in there ) its bloody deserted i dont know who's still working in there but the whole 3rd floor is empty and 3/4 of the 4th floor is empty ,, Allied London are using the 1st floor as a canteen , i think once 3 Hardman St is complete Quay House will bite the dust .

rNQRfBAzSzo :dj:

found this from some fella called b4mmy :?
;)
dfv92NW-3U8

:bash: ohhh this is just cruel, i wanna see renders and details, i HATE waiting! but still :)

that video was uploaded to youtube in 2006 by the way :)

I think that's when they all went to a forum meet in Spinningfields. ;)

Already posted by Flange on the Spinningfields Thread. However, I wanted to disect the article and post some interesting and exciting quotes. Let's hope some of them aren't just journalistic licence.

Retail will dominate square's new era

David Thame

19/ 8/2008

ALLIED LONDON'S chief executive, Mike Ingall, remains confident that the city's office market will survive - and could thrive - in a recession.

Allied London has abandoned plans for a speculative office development at 1 Crown Square, but is in talks which could lead to another 400,000 sq ft of office lettings at its Spinningfields development.

The developer says it will no longer risk speculative development of a 55,000 sq ft office block at Crown Square, as had originally been planned.

The latest phase of the 4m sq ft Spinningfields district will now be dominated by retail development.

"The current market is bizarrely working in Manchester's favour, because it has provided an excuse for occupiers to take the cost-effective office space the city provides," said Mr Ingall.

"I remain confident, because in the last seven months we have completed half a dozen office lettings to banks, inward investors and professionals, and we have another 400,000 sq ft of potential lettings in the preliminary stages.

"I suppose we made a brave call at Spinningfields, and spent a lot of money, and I hope that by early 2009 the capital markets will have returned to normality and it might, as a result, be possible to build our next two office buildings speculatively.

"We've been pleasantly surprised by the interest from potential occupiers in No 1 Crown Square, much of it from leisure users, so we've decided to broaden the use of that building away from offices and into retail."

The interesting bit Journalistic licence?

The construction of two further buildings at Spinningfields is due to start next year: 160,000 sq ft at Hardman Boulevard, next to the Royal Bank of Scotland building,

The big one

and a further 400,000 sq ft at No 1 Hardman Square.

Remember Ingalls comment of 400,000 sq ft of potential lettings in the preliminary stages above.

Allied London say they expect not to build either block before they have secured tenants, but Mr Ingall would not rule out speculative development. "Funding a speculative building is very difficult in today's market, but if we need a pre-let before we can proceed, then I genuinely don't believe that this will be a challenge.

"Besides, interest rates will come in a bit, and by early 2009 the debt market will be back to normality, making it easier to fund speculative schemes."

No3 will be finished this year, so will 2 Spinningfields Square. No 1 Crown Square is now destined for retail use. (John Lewis?) The Manchester will be a hotel and residential tower. That leaves no office construction at all. Where is the future 400,000 requirement going to go?

i said i didn't see any negativity in the article.

Just curious , how much of Quay House is let atm ?

I'm having difficulty realising what 400,000 sq ft of space actually is. Can anyone hypothocise what scale of building would be built?

La Lumiere in Leeds quotes a similar figure. Plus these 2x150m towers at Canary Wharf.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/woodwharf1.jpg

I'm having difficulty realising what 400,000 sq ft of space actually is. Can anyone hypothocise what scale of building would be built?

La Lumiere in Leeds quotes a similar figure. Plus these 2x150m towers at Canary Wharf.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/woodwharf1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=2698 is 453,418 sq feet

Cheers Andy. So no +200m Foster-monster then. Nevermind.

hold it.
we don't know whether the 400,000 sgft includes the possible hotel element. if it doesn't, expect a much bigger building.

Cheers Andy. So no +200m Foster-monster then. Nevermind.

No.1 Hardman Boulevard is more a ground skyscraper its 10 floors high and the floor plates are massive at an average of 45,341sq feet each.

To compare City Tower is only 225,019sq feet. Its floor plates on average are only 7,500sq feet. So it all depends on the size of the floor plates. If they had floor plates of 10,0000sq feet. That's 40 floors. Add plate floors, ground floor possible lobby and a possible hotel and we're talking about something rather tall.

1 Hardman Square is a Foster and Partners designed office tower and luxury hotel to be developed in its own defined area of public realm.

A 200 bedroom five star hotel will occupy the top floors in the building with panoramic views of the city.

Capable of providing a multitude of entrances and lobbies for occupiers, this building will contain some 650,000 sq ft of column free floor plates of approximately 20,000 sq ft.

The building will provide for significant drama at ground floor level with a double height entrance lobby with the various lift banks being accessed either from the ground or via a series of escalators depending on which part of the building is being accessed.

A full range of shopping and restaurant facilities are proposed around Hardman Square, which in itself will be one of the largest areas of public realm within Manchester.

Architect:

Foster and Partners


Status:

Estimated Start: Summer 2009
Estimated Completion: Winter 2011


http://www.spinningfieldsonline.com/page/406/Spinningfields/Spinningfields2/Masterplan/The-Buildings/Articles/1-Hardman-Square

Still says this on the website.

Still has a 2009 start date and the MEN also stated that yesterday. I'm sure Ingalls would have corrected both, espcially the MEN if it wasn't true.

Still has a 2009 start date and the MEN also stated that yesterday. I'm sure Ingalls would have corrected both, espcially the MEN if it wasn't true.

Well if the 400,000sqf of deals go through. No1 Hardman Square must be a dead cert for starting next year.

with an expected surge in office demand over the next few years hopefully 2009 could be the year of 1 hardman square.. god we need something to challenge paris hilton tower

with an expected surge in office demand over the next few years hopefully 2009 could be the year of 1 hardman square.. god we need something to challenge paris hilton tower

name me on person or organisation that expects a surge

with an expected surge in office demand over the next few years hopefully 2009 could be the year of 1 hardman square.. god we need something to challenge paris hilton tower

A CLASSIC CHORLEY B STATEMENT!

name me on person or organisation that expects a surge

Chorley B!(a classic Comdot response!)

me m8 spinny is doin well so y not build a tower i want 1

lol!!!!111

Deep breath. Calm down. Jitters. PDF's posted by Radley. Place North West.

No1 and No2 Harman Square? (loads more exciting proposals on the PDF)

Yes it was worth the wait. A brutalist, Mancunian office block, designed by Foster. :) Hope the cladding is exceptional.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/SPINN1-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/SPIN2-1.jpg

Link is here for all the other exciting Spinningfield proposals.

http://www.regeneratemanchester.com/pm1410

Bump.

If that is all office it'll be very very high, must be about 30 odd floor tall that.

Unfortunately it's come up just at the wrong time.

Wonder how the cash flow at Allied London is bearing up these days?

Doubt that's anything serious. I bet there's loads of preliminary renders from back in the day knocking about at Allied's office, indeed we saw quite a few different designs a few years ago at the open day.

Ummm ... :nuts:

Doubt that's anything serious. I bet there's loads of preliminary renders from back in the day knocking about at Allied's office, indeed we saw quite a few different designs a few years ago at the open day.

Why wouldn't it be serious? This latest and up-to-date PDF shows a host of other proposals for Spinningfields. One of which has been submitted for planning. Even if that isn't the final design, it gives an indication of what to expect. I think you need to look beyond the word dismissive, Kids.

It's in the name "preliminary 3-D studies." It's just a sketch essentially. I hope it looks like that, i like that, but it gives as much indication as to what we're gonna get as knowing that Norman Foster is gonna design it.

I really dont like that, i hope it looks nothing like that, and it's tiny, not the iconic monster weve hoped for for the past few years.

reminiscent of 1 deansgate