Manchester's new 'upside down' office block, a £77million tower, has been given the green light by planners. The NXQ will be constructed on the corner of Great Ancoats Street and Lever Street, in the Northern Quarter.
This 18-storey 'tech hub' is designed to complement the Express Building across Great Ancoats Street. However, it may become more renowned for its 'upside down' design, where the top floor is significantly wider than its base.
Architects Howells say they wanted the building to be a landmark for the Northern Quarter. Dav Bansal said: "The cantilevered structure is achieved using an efficient raking column, which creates an interesting dynamic with the historic buildings. It is a striking design, which embraces the unique character of the area and will provide a distinctive silhouette which the city can be proud of."
Yet, the NXQ project has not been without controversy.
While some non-listed Victorian and Georgian buildings will be preserved, others will be demolished - leading councillors to postpone an earlier decision on the planning application to visit the site and assess what could be lost. "I am concerned we seem to be saving the facades of two buildings, but not actually the ones with a link to Manchester's residents, the residential aspect on Houldsworth Street," Coun Angela Gartside argued in December, advocating for a deferral, reported.
However, the site visit only confirmed 'why the planning department has not listed the building', Coun Gartside said at the next meeting on January 23.
A neighbouring building with a rich history will be retained. The former Land O'Cakes pub and Bem Brasil restaurant at 58 Lever Street is notable for being the birthplace of the Chartism movement, which paved the way for modern democratic rights in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
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