Plans for Manchester’s tallest skyscraper, Viadux 2a, have been revised to include a hotel alongside residential flats.
- Viadux 2a will remain a 76-storey tower, becoming Manchester’s highest building by surpassing Deansgate South Tower by 41 metres.
- The project is part of a larger development that also includes the existing Viadux 1 and the smaller affordable housing block Viadux 2b.
- Developers Salboy have added a hotel to the design, replacing the proposed retail space to boost tourism and visitor economy.
- Public spaces and accessibility enhancements, including a public restaurant, remain part of the development plan.
Plans for Viadux 2a, which will be the tallest skyscraper in Manchester, have undergone a crucial revision. In its original form, it was conceived as a 76-storey residential edifice comprising 780 apartments. However, the updated proposal now includes a hotel in the structure, altering the initial all-residential plan on Albion Street. This change strategically aims to support and harness Manchester’s tourism and visitor economy.
Viadux 2a’s stature will dominate the Manchester skyline, towering 41 metres above the existing Deansgate South Tower. As part of a trio with Viadux 1, already operational, and the Viadux 2b block providing affordable housing, this skyscraper is central to an ambitious urban redevelopment vision.
The inclusion of the hotel replaces the previously intended retail space, inviting both residents and hotel guests to share a common entrance. Salboy’s Managing Director, Simon Ismail, highlighted the project’s commitment to creating a destination that offers high-quality living, amenities, and vibrant public spaces. He remarked, “Our vision is to create a destination where people can live, visit and enjoy.”
Ismail further expressed that the hotel would enhance the development while bolstering Manchester’s hospitality sector. The exact count of hotel rooms, alongside any changes to the number of apartments, has not been specified.
While the Viadux 2a structural modifications are prominent, the plans for Viadux 2b remain unaffected. The affordable housing block stays committed to delivering 133 homes, cementing its role in the broader project’s framework.
Moreover, the developer’s vision extends to enriching public interaction with the area by establishing a new restaurant and green spaces on Great Bridgewater Street. These efforts are part of a concerted push to ensure that the development benefits the city’s growth and accessibility, with a focus on ease of access via public transportation.
The addition of a hotel to Manchester’s Viadux 2a skyscraper signifies a strategic pivot to accommodate the city’s growing tourism sector, ensuring the development aligns with urban expansion goals.
