Right on the border between Manchester and Salford
“Highland House was reclad and renamed between 1998 and 2000. Now known as North Tower”
The view this week is right on the border between Manchester and Salford and was once home to Manchester Exchange Station: a grand railway terminus dating back to the late 19th century. The station closed in 1969 however its massive sandstone viaduct — now sensitively restored — still supports the modern structures above.
The top photo - kindly provided again by Steve Welsh - is from February 1981 and shows the remains of Exchange Station being demolished. On the left is Highland House - built in 1966 for the Inland Revenue.
The bottom photo is from a November 2025 and shows the incredible change in the past ten years or so.
From left to right:
Highland House was reclad and renamed between 1998 and 2000. Now known as North Tower and in use as a Premier Inn.
CitySuites apart hotel, developed by Vita Group and designed by FLANAGAN LAWRENCE; completed in 2017.
Colliers Yard designed by Denton Corker Marshall and delivered by RENAKER as part of the Greengate Masterplan.
CitySuites II designed by CallisonRTKL for Vita Group and completed in 2021.
Abito designed by BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd) and completed in 2006
Anaconda Cut, designed by OMI Architects for RENAKER.
101 Embankment, completed in 2016, and designed by FLANAGAN LAWRENCE was developed by a joint venture between Ask Real Estate, Carillion PLC, and Tristan Capital Partners. The building offers 165,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and includes a 442-space undercroft car park, pre-let to Q-Park UK. Occupiers currently include Markerstudy Group and Covéa Insurance.
100 Embankment, completed in 2020 and also designed by FLANAGAN LAWRENCE, was developed by Ask Real Estate in partnership with Tristan Capital Partners and Salford City Council. The building includes 166,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over eight floors and features a roof terrace with views over Manchester Cathedral. Occupiers of the building currently include Deloitte, AECOM, Ridge and Partners LLP, XPS Group, and x+why.