Viadux, Manchester

Grade II listed site brought into modern day with tower development

Manchester city centre offers a magnificent blend of traditional, listed architecture and modern, progressive developments which perfectly combine the industrial heritage of the city with its cosmopolitan values.

All around the region, developers are looking at how they can blend the two, using new buildings to create microcosms within the existing city centre community which also give a nod to Manchester’s rich, red brick heritage.

Viadux – on the former Bauer Millett site – will consist of a 40-storey residential tower providing a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and private residential facilities.
The development will sit above the Grade II listed viaduct between Deansgate and Castlefield. Currently redundant other than for its use as a bridge for a Metrolink tram line, the viaduct presents half a mile of inactive frontage at street level but acts as an architectural landmark in a location which has been ever popular amongst Mancunians, sitting close to the iconic Hacienda nightclub.

Contractors, throughout the project, must maintain a fully operable service yard on the site for the nearby conference centre, and ensure the bridge for the Metrolink tram line will experience minimum disruption. Additionally, the placement of the Grade II listed viaduct must be carefully considered to ensure its long-term preservation against the increased footfall the building will bring to the area in the future.

We were appointed to provide Approved Inspector Service at the Viadux site by developer Salboy and contractor DOMIS Construction Ltd, based on its excellent track record on similar residential projects delivered in partnership with the design and build team in the city.