Back Acton Street

“captures the incredible change, both nearby and also in the distance.”

Love this one - it is the view from around Back Acton Street looking east towards Piccadilly Station, and then beyond that Portugal Street East, Great Ancoats Street, and Eastlands.

The top photo is from around 1989 and was very kindly provided by Paul Crompton. To provide context, note the former Fire Station on the left and the former Parcel Force depot on the middle right (now the 130,000 sqft Square One office building).

The bottom photo is from November 2024 and captures the incredible change, both nearby and also in the distance.

Closest to the camera is the under construction iQ Student Accommodation scheme, which includes the former Chandos Hall site. Designed by Sheppard Robson the scheme will include 1,224 student beds within three 16, 21 and 27-storey towers with 11 and 15-storey linked buildings.

Behind Piccadilly Statoom - and from left to right - Islington Wharf designed by Broadway Malyan; Crusader Mill by Capital&Centric; Victoria House by Forshaw Land & Property Group Ltd and Salboy; The Castings by Packaged Living; The Fairfax by Olympian; and, Eastbank Tower and The Plaza by X1 Developments.

Also visible in the background is Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad Stadium.

Many thanks as ever to David Booth of Place North for taking the recent photo.