There is a big gap at the bottom as well isn't there?

Any idea when this will be finished?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0211.jpg

Skymann these are ventilation grilles so they cannot cover them I suppose. @ Farsight, I see your robot face now.

Oh I see; that's a shame, kinda spoils the overall effect. You'd think they could paint them blue at least.

Looks a mess to me, as I feared it would ages ago.

xx

^^ you cant say for definate that its not a mess though, ok the "mast climbers" are still there etc but if they're gonna leave those vents like that IMO it will look a mess

^^ you cant say for definate that its not a mess though, ok the "mast climbers" are still there etc but if they're gonna leave those vents like that IMO it will look a mess

I'd have to agree if they leave the vents. It'll always look unfinished and spoil the overall effect. I can't believe they're just gonna leave it like that. Surely they'd have to paint the vents blue so that they are not left standing out so much? I'll be an unhappy bunny if they leave it like this.

There's a model a few pages back which suggests the vents will remain conspicuous. I like them. They're a part of what CIS has always been. You've just got to learn to see it right, is all.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=tbn:g-8rsBJeokUbRM:members.tripod.com/simple_plans_dudette/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/bender.jpg.w300h324.jpg

:)

Here's the model I was referring to.

http://www.cis.co.uk/images/generic/cisst_200511031.jpg

'Looks a mess'?

Eitherway, it looks ten times better than it did before. Once the lift frames come down from around it, I think it'll work quite nicely. We'll see, I guess.

There's a model a few pages back which suggests the vents will remain conspicuous. I like them. They're a part of what CIS has always been. You've just got to learn to see it right, is all.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=tbn:g-8rsBJeokUbRM:members.tripod.com/simple_plans_dudette/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/bender.jpg.w300h324.jpg

:)

If that's the plan - then that's the plan. I'll go to Mcr Buddhist Centre, have a meditation and see if I can get over these fucking vents!!

To be honest - given the environmental benifit this thing is doing I'm happy with it.

Just as not everyone likes the wind mills that generate power, not everyone is going to like these solar panels.

They'll probably do something with the vents at a later date. I agree that a spot of blue paint to make them blend in with the solar panels would be a start.

Still I like the way CIS has been transformed with the solar panels and the CIS sign looks better too. Against a backdrop of blue skies and a shiny sun, you can't fault this building. Nice pics ;)

I accept we all have different opinions on it, I'm just not convince over all, when I look at it I can't help feel that non of the buildings parts quite gel together now, the tiles themselves are a nice colour but they are not in harmony with the rest of the building, add to this the grey vents and it disappoints me. Hope I'm wrong

I quite like it Roly, I think it will change constantly with the light and that photo with Blair doesn't do it any justice at all... I can't wait to see what it looks like in summer twilight I bet it will look stunning...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0222.jpg
Superb photo jrb... its really cookin' down there isn't it

Yeah, thats a smart photo. Just imagin two 200m monsters behind CIS dwarfin everything.

:master:

There really should be at least one big skyscraper across the road from the CIS. It's just a big car park there, someone with a tonne of cash could surely plant a big flashy 200+ metre office building directly opposite it. Make it 350 metres, the tallest in the UK, and it'll sell out quickly as businesses flock for the prestige of being based in Britains tallest building. Stick an observation tower at the top too.

Incidentally I like the look of the CIS building now that it's been formally christened with the sign at the top. It just neatly tops the whole thing off.

Well the vents on the model look like a darker colour than they currently are. I reckon they will be painted still.

^^ Agree

The building is now genuinely stunning, i really like the way it has been transformed, it really does look nice new and unique. I am very pleased with this... if the sign were less blue and more silver to match the vents then the vents would be less of an issue... but deifnitely a very minor issue.... the solar panels are superb in my opinion, and the building is infinitely more interesting because of it.

I accept we all have different opinions on it, I'm just not convince over all, when I look at it I can't help feel that non of the buildings parts quite gel together now, the tiles themselves are a nice colour but they are not in harmony with the rest of the building, add to this the grey vents and it disappoints me. Hope I'm wrong
Oh get a grip roly...yer just looking at it with a kind of limp-wristed view-point ;) the vents are fine, wait til it's lit up at nite....

There really should be at least one big skyscraper across the road from the CIS. It's just a big car park there, someone with a tonne of cash could surely plant a big flashy 200+ metre office building directly opposite it. Make it 350 metres, the tallest in the UK, and it'll sell out quickly as businesses flock for the prestige of being based in Britains tallest building. Stick an observation tower at the top too.

Incidentally I like the look of the CIS building now that it's been formally christened with the sign at the top. It just neatly tops the whole thing off.


Totally agree.... but forget about the observation tower....a Sky Bar will do nicely!!!!!!!!!!!!!




:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Taken Sat 18th Feb
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/pookgai/IMG_6295.jpg

Looking Good! Not sure if anyone else has noticed the new streetlights installed. It looks darn cool!

New images, up close and personnel. Superb.

http://www.cis.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1116834043935&pagename=CoopBank/Page/tplBlank&c=Page

From the Interchange
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3010032copy.jpg

CIS is starting to look complete now, they've started to 'blacken out' the air vents, from where I saw it near to Middlewood Locks it almost blended in with the solar panels, it looks tonnes better though.

Thats a relief. I thought they were going to do something with the air vents but with all this talk of the reclad being about finished I thought they were just going to leave them. It should look a hell of a lot better with no bare concrete showing.

The finished CIS - so what do you reckon guys - sorry its horizontal -photobucket seems to be playing up.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d144/legin3/sharmelsheikh007.jpg

Looks petty good. Good job I have a laptop I just picked it up and put it on its side.

It looks ok(the building not the pic -the pics great)

I still don't like the odd contrast between the blue and the rest of the buildings black and mirror effect. I know you all like it but sorry, its a thumbs down from me.

CIS finally finished.

You could spend all day taking pictures of it. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture029z.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture028z.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture030.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture032.jpg

Its looking beautiful. The reclad has been perfect :)

Aye I was a cynic, but its turned out beautifully

I know its finished but a few more.....

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis2304closeup.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis2304dist.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis2304whole.jpg

On the last pic above, about half way down the tower there seems to still be some panels missing, are thet yet to be added or have they fallen off? Driving into town this afternoon it was quite noticable.

It looks beautiful...i think the air vents look fine how they are, as i know everyone wasn't liking them standing out...better than i thought it was gonna look...impressive now!

Definitely an icon for Manc. Are there any current/proposed lighting schemes for this? The CIS logo lit up perhaps. All that electricity it provides by day should be put to good use! :)

If its an air vent, you would have thought they would have replaced it a blue one, to match the rest of the shaft.

I still don't like the odd contrast between the blue and the rest of the buildings black and mirror effect. I know you all like it but sorry, its a thumbs down from me.

I'm pleased with it but I know what you mean. The service tower is now by far the best bit, and you've got to admit it's a huge improvement. The service tower and the offices kind of have a bit of an unlucky union though, if that makes any sense.

Thumbs up from me, overall

I haven't noticed the CIS signs illuminated yet.

Maybe a bit of confusion, I'm not on about the air vents at the top under the sign, there is a small section (of maybe a couple of tiles or so) about half way down the service tower that has no solar panels on it, I think it is on both sides in the same position.

The cladding looks like an updated version of the arndale tiles.

Always loved the tower. Even more so now...

xx

nice pictures lads, very nice

I thought a tile had dropped off, until I zoomed in!

Here's the proof.

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

Is it me or is there something rather telling about the 2 adverts on this picture?

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/pookey1967/cis2304dist.jpg

I think you might be right. A bit like a dock leaf next to a nettle eh?

Shame its not called Softarse tattoo removal centre.

I know Paul Ramsbottom who owns it. he used to be a Teddyboy who owned a bookies.

Very pleased with CIS reclad, it looks like it could have been built this year and not 40 odd years ago ;) The vents look better now they have been painted black/grey.

Ok, with beetham topped out CIS is now second after decades as No.1. With so many buildings in the pipeline, when will CIS drop out of the (Greater) manchester top ten???
Estimates please.......

10 years at least.

It's ironic, just as the CIS is looking good (with the Solar Panals) it gets relegated to second place.

I guess that just shows how far and fast Manchester is moving.

1 Eastgate
2 Beetham
3 1 Hardman Square?
4 Quay Point (Maybe 4 towers taller?)
4 Crown
5 Central Spine (Maybe 3 Towers taller?)
6 Crowngate?
7 Chapel Wharf
8 Fresh?
9 Greengate?
10 Modus? (Might just be too short)

All in all, i reckon by 2010! Beetham only took 2 years of consturction to break CIS's record and it's only early 2006 now!

It's only a matter of time before it is at the bottom of a top twenty the way things are going at the moment....... the city is literally going for broke with its new skyscraper projects. It, Liverpool and Leeds are vying to give London the ultimate run for its money. Forget Brum now - it's completely out of the race due to its pathetic backward attitudes thanks to the CAA. Its tallest will only stand a mere 150m high at the very most apparently.

Forget Brum now - it's completely out of the race due to its pathetic backward attitudes thanks to the CAA.
:laugh:

:laugh:



Hey kid, I'm not saying that just for a cheap dig at Brum's expense. I'm saying that cos I'm genuinely pissed off about how Brum has let all its opportunities to built tall get pissed on and watered down to one compromise cop out scheme after another. The initiative now lies with other cities to get on with their proposals and show the backward-thinking Brum planners and councillors how it should be done. It's nothing I'm proud about you know!

when they build nine more buildings that are taller.

Hey kid, I'm not saying that just for a cheap dig at Brum's expense. I'm saying that cos I'm genuinely pissed off about how Brum has let all its opportunities to built tall get pissed on and watered down to one compromise cop out scheme after another. The initiative now lies with other cities to get on with their proposals and show the backward-thinking Brum planners and councillors how it should be done. It's nothing I'm proud about you know!


id love to know how a restriction put in place by the CAA is the fault of birmingham planners and councillors.....many of our planners look at manchester in envy with regard fro towers.....if they could change it, im sure they would....and i know they are trying!

Being cautiously optimistic, I'd say 20 years. There's not much sign of another one starting right now, and I'll only bet on Crown and 1HS getting built at all.

What I'd like to see is tall commercial towers with large floorplates, with very big corporate occupiers.

Being cautiously optimistic, I'd say 20 years. There's not much sign of another one starting right now, and I'll only bet on Crown and 1HS getting built at all.

What I'd like to see is tall commercial towers with large floorplates, with very big corporate occupiers.
20 years? Youngman, that's a long long time in today's gottahaveityesterday world.
If the main British cities follow the N. American growth pattern you will see massive transformations in as little as 10 years.
They will be almost unrecognizable in 20 years!

20 years? Youngman, that's a long long time in today's gottahaveityesterday world.
If the main British cities follow the N. American growth pattern you will see massive transformations in as little as 10 years.
They will be almost unrecognizable in 20 years!

I hope they will be unrecognisable. I just think that what we're seeing now is the result of a very cautious economic cycle. To somebody of my advancing years :old: too much development too soon looks like the old boom and bust cycle of the 80s, where you're always half expecting it to go tits up before too long. It always did back then.

xx

Been so much talk of new buildings its easy to forget the grand daddy of them all.
Lets here it for this Bad Boy!
Looked beautiful in the evening light so couldnt resist a couple of sexy shots.
Come on baby - love it - love it - work it - work it - make love to the camera!
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/IMG_3038.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/IMG_3044.jpg

^^ Oh oh, I think old CIS had a touch of premature ejaculation.....

Remember Longdong, it is a 60's building after all.

The wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIS_Tower mentions a "legendary "Tube of Justice" on the 7th floor" without actually explaining it, does anyone know what this means??

cheers

xx

Toiletduck - no idea about the 'tube of justice', I suspect it is as accurate as the reference to a nuclear bunker designed for the company executives. In fact, the CIS is built on top of a very large (and difficult to remove) second world war air raid shelter, on plan covering about a third of the podium 'footprint'. The shelter was simply left in place and is still used for storage and as a sports and social club facility for the benefit of the staff (the individual rooms are ideally sized for snooker and table tennis tables).


Oh OK I had visions of some Mr Burns style trapdoor in the Chairmans office!


cheers

The wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIS_Tower mentions a "legendary "Tube of Justice" on the 7th floor" without actually explaining it, does anyone know what this means??

cheers

I used to work in the CIS (16th floor) but I've never heard anything about a "Tube of Justice". All the executives were on the 23rd or 24th floor. Can't imagine how 7th floor could be anything in particular - certainly not any safer. How bizarre.

Is this a case of a Wiki contributor making mischief maybe?
A bitter ex CIS employee maybe? There have been some lay offs recently havent there?
I know nothing of the Tube and, as most of you all know, i know everything!

Is this a case of a Wiki contributor making mischief maybe?
A bitter ex CIS employee maybe? There have been some lay offs recently havent there?
I know nothing of the Tube and, as most of you all know, i know everything!

I know, it sounds like a pseudonym for someone's pecker.

"Come up to the 7th floor, young lady, and ride the Tube of Justice. :scouserd: My path of righteousness will abolish your sins. :scouserd: Come on luv. :scouserd: You know it makes sense.” :scouserd:

I'm in Manchester tomorrow, hope to see this one in the flesh. I am pleasently suprised with how well the new panels have turned out :) Big improvement looking at the 'before' and 'after' pics.

The Tube of Justice was added to the building in 1984.

It's in room 101.

I heard there were rats involved....

Is this a case of a Wiki contributor making mischief maybe?
A bitter ex CIS employee maybe? There have been some lay offs recently havent there?
I know nothing of the Tube and, as most of you all know, i know everything!

Saw the letter in the Manchester Forum (Manchester Civic Society) about your article on the CIS reclad. There was a progamme on Radio 4 yesterday about Photoelectrics cells and that the laws of physics mean that the most efficient any cell can be is 38%, so the cells on the CIS are pretty good at 20%. I presume you were pissed off with the reclad because you thought it spolied the original look, rather than you thought the Co-op were just being tokenistically green?

Whats happening with the small wind turbines on the mini CIS building, on Portland street? They only seemed to work for about a week and I've never seen them in full flow since.

Whats happening with the small wind turbines on the mini CIS building, on Portland street? They only seemed to work for about a week and I've never seen them in full flow since.

Shows how people miss things. I've passed there loads of times and never thought to look up and check them out. I can't imagine the output from them would power a laptop. Maybe the COOP are just being tokenistic when it comes to being Green. I still bank with them though, coz they're more ethical (or is that just a load of crud as well).

I presume you were pissed off with the reclad because you thought it spolied the original look, rather than you thought the Co-op were just being tokenistically green?

A bit of both to be honest.
Heres the article:
http://www.manchestercivic.org.uk/forum/38/F38_03.pdf

I interviewed Friends of the Earth for the article for 'balance' so that letter writer is a bit off the mark.
I stand by the article but i must admit the tiles do look ace!

xx

Spidey- the editor of Forum was a bit sceptical of the panels and was looking for someone who was like minded and I was in a bit of a mood with the CIS for various reasons at the time so was ready to put the boot in.
I wish i could have spoken to you before i wrote the article because you obviously know what you are talking about (unlike me) and you could have provided some more balance.
Forums editor is always looking to open debate so is willing to let me be a bit dogmatic.
Now its finished, on reflection, i think my scales of justice are pretty evenly balanced now as apposed to being wholly against the scheme , although as ive already said i stand by the article and the negative points i made still stand IMO.

Oooh shiney!!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0935.jpg

Lovely pic Stephen ,a good day for generating.

This afternoon my Dad took me on the roof of the CIS building to get some photos...

http://http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/174/185lp3.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=185lp3.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5839/187zb0.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=187zb0.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8651/188ki3.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=188ki3.jpg)
http://http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/6452/190sq5.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=190sq5.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3559/191ph3.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=191ph3.jpg)
http://http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9383/193pa5.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=193pa5.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2954/194ri1.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=194ri1.jpg)
http://http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4299/197qj3.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=197qj3.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2193/198rv0.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=198rv0.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9682/201xx9.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=201xx9.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3992/202nx3.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=202nx3.jpg)
http://http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9966/204mr1.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=204mr1.jpg)
http://http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1999/205gk2.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=205gk2.jpg)
http://http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6574/215rh0.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=215rh0.jpg)
http://http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/5342/216sq4.th.jpg (http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=216sq4.jpg)
http://http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/1253/186ab9.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=186ab9.jpg)
http://http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8929/203ya7.th.jpg (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=203ya7.jpg)

More coming soon

Sort it out M14! :lol:
Dying to see the pics but cant! :nuts:

yea soz, its ok now!:banana:

Pictures are RATHER small, no?

i dont know how to get em bigger, any advise?
thanks.

Pictures are RATHER small, no?

At least you can see them! I cant see nuffin!

i dont know how to get em bigger, any advise?
thanks.

Ask Longford. He told me off once for telling somebody how not to upload pictures.

Imageshack.

Drop down menu. Image without resizing

That should do the trick

Ask Longford. He told me off once for telling somebody how not to upload pictures.


That makes me sound like a right miserable old git.
Oh wait a minute.... i am! :lol:

That makes me sound like a right miserable old git.
Oh wait a minute.... i am! :lol:

:yes:

Ok i have enlarged some of the photos but i will add some more tommorow coz some arent there.

They look good btw! :)

Nice pics. What does you dad do, that allows him to get the top of CIS ;)

Cheers M14.
Kinda high aint it? Gulp!

He's a manager of one of the floors and one of his workers is the guy who works on the roof or sumthin,so he basically told the guy to take me up lol :). The funny thing is, evn that high up, the traffic noise below is really loud from up there.

Thanks for those Manc14.Just shows how large and sprawling the city centre is. Beetham looks good as usual. Whats the distance from Beetham to CIS.I would say over 1 mile.

Great pictures. The CIS is covered by fog this moring.

has anyone got any pics of it?

Can someone please ban EDX.

Can someone please ban EDX.

why?:bash:

Actually, an IP ban is in order. I'll PM the admin.

What the cock?! I actually got excited by this thread title for a moment, and it's a fucking two year old shit april 1st thread posted by some humourless bastard.

What the cock?! I actually got excited by this thread title for a moment, and it's a fucking two year old shit april 1st thread posted by some humourless bastard.

ha, ha. Wonder who that was eh, Jon?

OK so how's about we let this baby sink as fast as it has risen? If a mod can lock it, great. If not we can just hold off posting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3965.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3968X.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3964.jpg

Yum yum.. she looks great in them pictures:cheers:

Ageless building. The UK's first 'real' skscraper.

Great reclad on the concrete service core, and looks as clean and new today as it did when it first went up in 1962.

It held the title of UK's tallest office building for about 20 years!

Again from MC.

Part 2: The CIS Tower
Category: Good (excellent actually)

Happy Birthday: The CIS Tower is 45 years old this year, let’s bake a cake. Opened in 1962 by the Duke of Edinburgh it was for a time the tallest office block in northern Europe at 122m (400ft). Grade II listed, it’s a beauty, as fresh as the day it was completed.

Why and what: The brief from the Cooperative Insurance Society was for an office block that could compete with the best in London or New York whilst providing the city with a building that pointed to the future. The architects were GS Hay of the CWS and Gordon Tait of Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners. They took a design from Chicago of the Inland Steel Building by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and filled the aforementioned brief exactly. Constructed from black enamelled steel, glass, aluminium and mosaic it remains easily the best of the tall buildings in Manchester from the sixties and seventies. It also balances that other great tall building of Manchester, Beetham Tower. Viewed from east or west the city centre is anchored by these two lanky lovelies.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/images/20070613arc2.jpg

Daylight power: Some mosaic work remains but the majority of it has been removed and replaced by photo-voltaic panels. As it was a listed building this was a bit naughty but hey, if you play the environmental card - less of a carbon footprint or something - then you can get away with anything. Cleverly you also get a government grant, which all helps in the refurbishment costs. The panels convert daylight (not just sunshine) into energy which according to the CIS stats is the equivalent of 10 million cups of tea brewed annually. Who comes up with these facts? Replacing the mosaics might have been naughty from a purist point of view but for the rest of us it has made the CIS a more attractive and dramatic building.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/images/20070613arc1.jpg

The inspiration: the Inland Steel Building, Chicago

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/images/20070613arc4.jpg

Missed opportunity: One of the sweetest spaces in the city used to be the twenty-fourth floor at the top of the CIS tower which formed the executive dining area. Then a few years ago the decision was taken to turn this into more offices. What happened to the lovely furniture remains a mystery – do any readers know? With this act of thoughtless destruction the CIS betrayed their own heritage in conceiving of the magnificent building in the first place. They missed a trick too. They could have opened Cloud 24 and trumped Cloud 23. In this game size matters and with more floor space and extra height the queues awaiting judgement from the clipboard inquisition might have swung north.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/images/20070613arc3.jpg

A beautiful pair: Some commentators think the way the service tower of the building rises above the rest of the structure gives the CIS the profile of an eagle. This sort of fits. Atop the tower is an occasional nest of peregrine falcons. You can see these wheeling too and fro and then dropping like a stone, on the backs of pigeons. Good for them. An RSPCB officer found the old CIS sign filled with flying rat remains from peregrine lunching. And also the remains of a pair of kestrels the falcons had decided to chew on as well. Clearly birds of prey don’t form cooperative societies.

Hang ‘em high: Gordo of Manchester Confidential has a good story about the CIS. The family have a friend called Drew Barlow. Mr Barlow invented the first vertical blinds – Luva Drapes - and didn’t know what to do with them. Then the CIS ordered 90,000 for their shiny new building. Nice. The rumour is that he was so pleased he got blind drunk - but he pulled himself together later.

Entertaining stuff, jrb.

The good news is that these two bits are not true: Some mosaic work remains but the majority of it has been removed and replaced by photo-voltaic panels. As it was a listed building this was a bit naughty but hey, if you play the environmental card - less of a carbon footprint or something - then you can get away with anything.

Missed opportunity: One of the sweetest spaces in the city used to be the twenty-fourth floor at the top of the CIS tower which formed the executive dining area. Then a few years ago the decision was taken to turn this into more offices. What happened to the lovely furniture remains a mystery – do any readers know? With this act of thoughtless destruction the CIS betrayed their own heritage in conceiving of the magnificent building in the first place. They missed a trick too. They could have opened Cloud 24 and trumped Cloud 23. In this game size matters and with more floor space and extra height the queues awaiting judgement from the clipboard inquisition might have swung north.

All of the mosaics are still there. The PV panel 'overcoat' could simply be removed one day to reinstate the original appearance of the tower. Unfortunately it would also reinstate the problem of the tiles falling off which is why the PV cladding was applied in the first place.

Also, the 24th floor is not an office floor. True, the Managers' restaurant has closed, but new Board Room and function room facilities are in place, including a fully refurbished commercial kitchen.

No big deal .. just didn't want any 'heritage' minded people getting worried. Oh, by the way, the dining furniture was put into one of the many basement stores.

Entertaining stuff, jrb.

The good news is that these two bits are not true:

All of the mosaics are still there. The PV panel 'overcoat' could simply be removed one day to reinstate the original appearance of the tower. Unfortunately it would also reinstate the problem of the tiles falling off which is why the PV cladding was applied in the first place.

Also, the 24th floor is not an office floor. True, the Managers' restaurant has closed, but new Board Room and function room facilities are in place, including a fully refurbished commercial kitchen.

No big deal .. just didn't want any 'heritage' minded people getting worried. Oh, by the way, the dining furniture was put into one of the many basement stores.

:lol: Jonathan should have come to me first!
A rare mistake from him and I was bit perplexed what he was talking about.
There was a bit of naughtiness involving the 24th floor which we (as in the heritage nazis) never really got to the bottom of. It seems a shame they chose to mess about with it and that furniture is serving no purpose in the basement. The interiors are part of the listing and should therefore be treated with respect.

Longford - I understand where you are coming from, but that particular building is still serving its original purpose after all of this time. That is a good thing in terms of conservation. Insiting that dining room furniture is kept in place after the idea of having a separate Managers' dining room is no longer acceptable is not good use of 7,000 square feet. Turning the building in to a time capsule would hasten vacation by a commercial organisation and (probably) change of use would follow. Keeping the original furniture on site is better than dumping it. Many years ago I had the task of upgrading an old building in York to meet modern fire regulations. Before we had chance to start work, the building was listed. The fire officer insited on glazed screens at the head of staircases, the listed building officer said no way. I brought them both to site, introduced them to each other, went for a coffee by myself and when I returned the decision was to go ahead with the work but keep the bits of staircase on site (in the loft) with a note to say what they were and where they had come from. Ironically, the occupier was the York Archeological Trust - and they approved also. If it keeps the wheels of commerce turning and the heritage lobby feel respected then win-win in my book.

Spiderman, the diplomatic corps could use people like you.:applause:

That building must have seen serious internal changes over time due to the very nature of its use. My mother used to work for British Engine, and when they moved into Longridge House circa 1960, you can imagine what most of the floors were like - great swathes of typing pools using mechanical typewriters. The only electrics were probably the lights in the ceiling. Now, when British Engine (then Royal Insurance) left in 1996 because the IRA blew the place up, there were computers all over the show which means that the place must have been significantly re-wired for power points, network terminals, phones, photocopiers, fax machines, and god knows what else. The CIS building must have gone through very similar changes, not to mention changes for health and safety at work legislation such as Spiderman explained. You can't simply leave a working building static simply for heritage.

As for furniture, when does the point come when it is either not fit for purpose anymore, or to continue using it would do more damage to it than putting it in storage. I know it's not Chippendale, but the point remains.

A combined CIS thread for ease of viewing

An interesting statistical report from one of th consultants involved in the solar panel construction:

http://www.solarcentury.com/var/cache/texttoimage/imageobject/c/b/d/cbd80224150671b2d26c124056e17acb/cis_tower_solar_cladding_from_below_imagelarge-stamp.jpg

In June 2005, CIS became the world's first insurance company to launch a customer-led ethical policy to guide the ethical performance of its investments. In line with their aim to reconstitute the relationship between its business activities and nature, CIS asked solarcentury to 'develop a solution' for ventilated PV rain cladding for their HQ in Manchester. Arup then employed solarcentury to act as PV consultants, providing specialised PV knowledge and design. The project creates the largest commercial solar facade in Europe, and will also be one of the largest solar power systems in the UK. The service core was traditionally covered in no less than 14 million one centimetre square, grey tesserae. The mosaic began to fail a mere six months after the building was completed. It has become a significant health and safety issue, and hence the need for it to be addressed. This project demonstrates how solar power can be easily incorporated into any building refurbishment to provide an extremely cost effective alternative to conventional building materials.

Solar design
solarcentury provided specialised PV knowledge to design a weatherproof cladding solution by integrating photovoltaics (PV) around the tower's structure, offsetting building material cost of replacing the traditional mosaic tiles. In total, 7,244 Sharp 80W modules are used to clad the entire service tower. From this total, 4,898 PV modules are live, 870 ‘full size’ dummy modules and 109 ‘medium size’ dummy modules and 1,367 edge modules were used in order to optimise the system’s electircal generation and minimise costs.

solarcentury worked with Plusswall to engineer a framing solution for solar modules and the main contractors, ISG to effectively install the solar cladding solution around the tower.

Funding
The ambitious £5.5m solar project, the largest ever in the UK, is being supported by a £885,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and a £175,000 grant from the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).

Each megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated will also be eligible for benefits under the governments Renewable Energy Obligation Certification Scheme. Under this scheme, each MWh of renewable electricity generated is eligible for a tradeable certificate. The government underwrites a minimum value for certificates of £30. Certificate values have risen steadily, and a forecast for certificate values is estimated at between £50 to £85. As such, using an assumed value of £50, the value of certificates is approximately £9,271 per year.

Summary of electricity comparisons

Generates total electricity for 61 average three-bed houses each year

Generates enough electricity each year to light an average three-bed house for over 305 years

Generates enough electricity to make 6.8 million pieces of toast/9.9 million cups of tea every year

Summary of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) comparisons

Annually saves over 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions, a major greenhouse gas, equivalent over 7 million party balloons or 63 Olympic swimming pools.

Annual CO2 savings: account for 141 trees required to absorb CO2 over 100 years.

To achieve the Kyoto Protocol, the UK is required to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2010. This installation offsets the contribution of 303 UK individuals to this target every year.

Technology Solar PV
Installation Type Wall cladding
System size (kWp) 391.00
Forecast electricity generation / year (kWh) 183,000.00
Panel area (m2) 3,972.00
Building integrated Yes
Forecast CO2 saving / year (kg) 103,944.00
Date of last energy reading 01/01/2001
Type of project Commercial

To achieve the Kyoto Protocol, the UK is required to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2010. This installation offsets the contribution of 303 UK individuals to this target every year.



...and all the people driving to work in modern car-society no doubt brings that back down to a 0% reduction.

:bash:

rail: :righton:

aye

Sketch-up model of CIS

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=5298af33bc60dabe40ba6696d90fbf4a

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=5298af33bc60dabe40ba6696d90fbf4a&rtyp=lt&ctyp=other

seen that before. you should check out the only sketchup model of beetham tower, its fuckin hilarious

today
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic48.jpg

some more appreciation
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic45.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic44.jpg

we are not worthy
13/2
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic28.jpg

http://jonreid.co.uk/pics/ciswest.jpg

^^ brilliant pic mate.

you must take some panoramas from there, and also stitch some to give wide-angle effect

glistening photovoltaic cells
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic49.jpg

http://jonreid.co.uk/pics/ciswest.jpg

Love this pic Jon , where did you take it from

Very moody sky .

Love this pic Jon , where did you take it from

Very moody sky .

i'm guessing that's from one of those flats just off the crescent.

few more new snaps here http://www.skyscrapernews.com/gallery.php?id=118&idi=CIS+Tower&images=all
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic47.jpg

Yeah, Salford Crescent. I've been meaning to go into town myself and take a few close up photos of various sites but tbh I've not been very happy with the light this weekend! Yes, I'm picky, but it's been very hazy!

Yeah, Salford Crescent. I've been meaning to go into town myself and take a few close up photos of various sites but tbh I've not been very happy with the light this weekend! Yes, I'm picky, but it's been very hazy!

am with you on the haze. frost melting is a pain. it's a pain trying to get perfect photography weather. monday was good- tuesday not bad, sunday average (for a sunny day). fingers crossed we get a summer this year!

i think jon's is probably the best photo ever taken of cis.

here's one from tonight.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic29.jpg

On saturday I didn't even give this much of a look.. which is weird because for so many years it was the be all and end all when looking for the talls of Manc, still.. these photos show how great it is since the concrete shaft was covered in the tiles, looks great at night.. and it still desperately needs some tall neighbours, well.. even just one or two.. thankfully the bulk of the green city and office is helping with that to some extent

2 pics
view along chapel street

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_09_02/cis%20tower%20co-operative%20group%20headquarters%20manchester/IMG_6607%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_09_02/cis%20tower%20co-operative%20group%20headquarters%20manchester/IMG_6606%20copy.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/051-6.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/057-5.jpg

Wow, nice one on the pics Marky, although there both great, that black & white one is awsome :)

09.10.08:
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSCF5339.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSCF5360.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k348/Toetallix/DSCF5378.jpg

agreed that b&w one is amazing.

yours are very good too.

Cheers for that, I'll try and get myself around manchester more and get some shots of buildings that havent been updated on here for a good while.

i love this building more than others. I rember going to stockport about 15 years ago and seeing the tower and being starstruck

i love this building more than others. I rember going to stockport about 15 years ago and seeing the tower and being starstruck
Stockport? wtf?

It's official then, people actually do go to Stockport...

yeah lol but i think thr majority of people who end up there are just lost coming from the airport

CIS Tower looks 100% since it was done up. But can someone in Manchester please tell me how tall it is? I know it says 118m/387ft but I'm sure all of the early references to it have the height at 399ft.? Does somebody have a 1960's Guiness Book? It should say in there.Correct me if I'm wrong.

It is 118 metres. That's 387ft. I think it looks taller than that when you are close up to it but thats what everywhere says it is.
http://skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=118

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the 387ft just the roof height,maybe the lift core extends to 399ft?

Oscar9,

The very top of the structure is the chimney; this is 386'9" above ground.

The top of the service core is 22'0" lower and the top of the office tower is 50'0" lower than the service tower (ignoring the observation deck which now forms the 25th floor - so you could add back (say) 14'5" for that floor although the two lantern glass roofs to the offices rise higher than that).

Hope that clears things up.

Source: The Architect & Building News, 16 January 1963.

This building looks cool, it stands out from alot of things which is good

http://1person1million.com/img/158/r08c1006bidc/biggrin.gif

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v119/7/47/533872062/n533872062_305200_740.jpg

a building to be proud of. standing the test of time becasue of its quality

The tender price accepted in June 1959 was £3,980,000 (£6 19s 2d per square foot) - alot of money in those days!

a building to be proud of. standing the test of time becasue of its quality

and its re-clad! ;)

I have a pic, im new here, not good also as i only took it quick, not a proper photogropher lol.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/phillipflynn/cistower.jpg

The CIS is definitely one of the UK's best towers!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2112252427_39dd4b2bca.jpg?v=0

You forgot this beaut of yours stuinmcr!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3138438102_db6290af93.jpg?v=1230321128

Wow!

One of a set posted in the sky line thread - but this should be here also:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3191181372_cee5888bd5.jpg?v+0

very nice :)

Love this pic Jon , where did you take it from

Very moody sky .

Thorn Court.

Is work being done on the windows at the moment? Theres large white strips running down one side, been therE a few days now

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/faggotbrain/Image0190.jpg

I saw that today, I was very confused. Is it sheeting over the glass?

Is work being done on the windows at the moment? Theres large white strips running down one side, been therE a few days now

This may be related to this:

Co-op to use CIS Tower for re-branding campaign
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090205/FREE/902059983/1004/-/-/co-op-to-use-cis-tower-for-re-branding-campaign)
February 5, 2009
By Simon Binns

The Co-operative Group will drape a huge canvas over the side of its 400 ft, 24-storey CIS Tower from tomorrow, to promote the start of its £10m re-brand on February 16.

A single dandelion will be projected on to the side of the building which will gradually be blown out as the new campaign approaches. The flower is intended to symbolise the Co-operative's ethos of “spreading the seeds of co-operation,” the company said in a news release.

The re-branding of 2,600 of its 4,300 retail outlets has taken two years and has cost £1.6bn so far.

Terry Hudghton, brand manager at the Co-operative, said: “The Co-operative's brand has been unified, and we are now hopeful that the acquisition of Somerfield will go through next month, so there has never been a better time to shout about what we stand for.”

Cheers for that dude. It's been bugging me, seeing CIS getting covered and not knowing what the hell was going on.

That side by the way, is almost completely covered now.

...

Seems to be wrapped in something, does anyone know what? It's like a white sheet down one side of the building facing towards victoria station.

Part of the Co-op's new brand promotion, see this thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552689&page=21

From: http://www.how-do.co.uk (http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-marketing-services/co%11op-counts-down-to-corrie-with-uk%92s-%27biggest-art-work%27-200902094618/):

Co-Op counts down to Corrie with UK’s 'biggest art work'
Monday, 09 February 2009

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/cistowerart.jpg

The Co-Operative is counting down to its Bob Dylan inspired re-brand ad with a very clear display of its intentions right across the Manchester skyline.

16 February will mark the primetime debut of the Co-Op’s latest campaign to celebrate the completion of its long-running re-brand task.

To build interest prior to the Coronation Street hogging affair, the society has transformed The Co-operative Insurance Tower into the tallest canvas in the UK, sporting what it calls ‘a serene’, single dandelion.

The dandelion apparently forms a key element of the new creative campaign and is being projected onto the 400-foot, 24-storey skyscraper to create a groundswell of interest in the run up to its premiere.

Marketed as a piece of art that the whole city can enjoy, the society said that it was “very excited” that the building could be used in such an innovative way.

To find out for yourself what the Co-op has ‘blowin’ in the wind’ tune into ITV1 from 7.40pm on Monday 16 February.

thanks for the info, cdx. i was wondering what they've been up to at cis over the last couple of weeks

This has answered my question too !!,saw the cladding the other day and couldn't work out what was going on.Thought they might be doing away with windows and covering the whole building in solar panels as part of their green ethic !!

did i imagine it or have they already removed some of the 'canvas' from the face of the building? certainly looked that way this morning, although the side was still completely covered

I think it was only for promotional purposes until 16th Feb when their new branding campaign started, so it will probably be coming down now.

footage of CIS from the air- http://archive.skyworks.co.uk/footage/manchester-distance-skyscrapers2.html

didn't know about this advertising campaign, just saw a few skyline shots and wondered what the hell was going on, pity its temporary.. it looks a lot better with some vertical elements.. I know it detracts from its 60's essence but it looks so much better, modern and fairly cosmo I reckon :S but then only seen it on these photos, not in reality.

Same, I myself think it looks fantastic on the photos too, especially at night! I will have to get there to see it and get some shots for myself, see if its as good as looking at it on pics.

Propoh Towoh.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3384423267_fd4403b27b_b.jpg

flickr pic by longsidepies

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3395194019_2f7f337f2e.jpg?v=0

CIS Tower looking radiant in the sunshine

It looks as though it's about to take off! Good capture.

http://www.insearchofunicorns.com/rooftop_thomas_street/DSC_0026.jpg

taken from salford

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/118CISTower_pic8.jpg

Lovely 1960's image of Piccadilly and CIS (available as A1 posters from the Manchester Modernist Society http://manchestermodernistsociety.org/publications.html)

Englands first skyscraper, and still looks great...

http://i50.tinypic.com/1zeqes.jpg

^^ Superb pic.

Thanks

Isn't this CIS logo redundant now? I'm surprised they haven't gone along with the rebranding and changed its name to the 'Co-operative Insurance' Tower, however much it would still remain the CIS to everyone in Manchester.

Nice pics there; without doubt one of the best reclads in the UK .:)

Snippet of news.
With the aim of unifying the brand, the Cooperative group are going through planning permission to remove the 'CIS' logo from the tower.

Do you know what it will be replaced with? If at all?

Do you know what it will be replaced with? If at all?

Marketting the two brands together is still a work in progress! Whenever one of our mortgages is advertised in the paper, theres a bit of a hoohar as to which name it goes under for example. Coop or Britannia? Of course, the money still goes into the same pot but regardless the whole identity after the merger is still a grey area! So who knows?

The pyramid building in Stockport is down for an overhaul soon! ;)

Yeah it'll be interesting to see since its been pretty much the same sign since I've known it. I'd imagine they want some sort of common consistency in their logo since they're going ahead with the site development and I don't think they'll be too shy introverted with their signage either.

Snippet of news.
With the aim of unifying the brand, the Cooperative group are going through planning permission to remove the 'CIS' logo from the tower.

I stopped at the RSPB table in Exchange Square yesterday and they had their scopes trained on a Peregrine Falcon perched on the tail of the 'S' of CIS, atop the CIS Tower. It looked very impressive.

The Cooperative rebranding makes sense for business, but I don't see why they need to remove this logo. We will still call it the CIS Tower.

Are the staff in the building due to relocate to the new HQ when it is finished? In which case, I wonder what the plans are for the future use of the building.

The staff will remain. I asked this same question last year. The CIS, like the Co-op Bank head office (where the food store is located) were and still are distinct separate entities but that remain part of the umbrella that is the Co-operative Group. As far as I'm aware, the staff that will move are the ones located in the older buildings that front Corporation Street and the ones on Balloon Street and Dantzic Street. I'm not sure about the plans for these, but i know that the three major buildings will be the CIS, the new head office, and the bank's head office. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

View from my flat :)
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz309/razzledazzle_2010/P1010377.jpg

Englands first skyscraper, and still looks great...

The Empress State Building and Shell Building in London predate it.

The Empress State Building and Shell Building in London predate it.

When the CIS Tower was built it was Europe's tallest office block.

The Empress State Building and Shell Building in London predate it.
I didn't know London had anything taller in 1962 tonksy. Or what you would describe as a proper skyscraper for it's day.

I would be interested in seeing a pic of these two buildings so I can judge fairly, before I retract my claim. :okay:

When the CIS Tower was built it was Europe's tallest office block.

But wasn't the Torre de Madrid (142 m, 466 feet, 37 floors) completed in 1957?

But wasn't the Torre de Madrid (142 m, 466 feet, 37 floors) completed in 1957?

Please read his post.

Tallest office.

Not tallest multi-use building.

Please read his post.

Tallest office.

Not tallest multi-use building.

OK - but at the time the claim was "to be the tallest building in the British Isles".

OK - but at the time the claim was "to be the tallest building in the British Isles".
At the time, I believe it actually was, Spidey.

Just spotted the CIS Tower making an appearance in a new advert for sharp solar energy.

Just spotted the CIS Tower making an appearance in a new advert for sharp solar energy.

i saw it in a dfs ad:lol:

Check out the photo in this article on rooftop wind turbines from Slate.com:

http://www.slate.com/id/2284633/

(Yes, I know this is the CIS building on Portland Street and not the CIS Tower, but I couldn't find a thread for that...)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/photo-8.jpg