{"id":736423,"date":"2026-08-13T07:14:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T07:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/736423\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T07:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T07:14:18","slug":"voting-now-open-manchesters-most-important-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/736423\/","title":{"rendered":"VOTING NOW OPEN | Manchester’s most important building"},"content":{"rendered":"

Place North West is pleased to reveal the shortlisted nominations for the big question we\u2019re posing this month: what is Manchester\u2019s most important building of the last 100 years?<\/p>\n

Over the last couple of weeks, we\u2019ve been taking in submissions, as readers make a case for the building they think most fits the bill.<\/p>\n

The parameters have been kept fairly wide, as we invite readers to decide what makes buildings important \u2013 visual impact? Economic or cultural benefits? A project that inspires others and over time brings about major changes in one way or another?<\/p>\n

You haven\u2019t let us down with your responses. The nominations have been varied and well argued. A mention in dispatches here for several that just failed to make the cut: Ship Canal House, Aviva Studios, Halle St Peter\u2019s Square, No.1 Spinningfields, and Granada House.<\/p>\n

Voting opens from today, 12 August, until end of day on 26 August. You can vote for your top three using the poll at the bottom of this post or at this link.<\/a><\/p>\n

So without further ado, here are the shortlisted nominees in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n

\"King<\/p>\n

100 King Street now houses the Rex hotel. Credit: Google Earth<\/p>\n

100 King Street<\/p>\n

Completed: 1932<\/p>\n

Client: Midland Bank<\/p>\n

Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens<\/p>\n

Still often referred to as the Midland Bank, and notably Lutyens\u2019 only major Manchester commission, the edifice at the top of King Street has in recent years found a new life as a high-end hotel. Built in a Neoclassical style quite unlike its neighbours, it is, as one reader observed, \u201can assured work in that simplified yet very inventive take on classicism that only Lutyens could master in this way\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Arndale<\/p>\n

The Arndale is bound by Corporation Street, High Street, Withy Grove\u00a0 and Market Street. Credit: Place North West.<\/p>\n

Arndale Centre<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a01976, redeveloped post-1996<\/p>\n

Developer:\u00a0Town & City Properties<\/p>\n

Architect:\u00a0Hugh Wilson & JL Womersley<\/p>\n

Many would argue razing historic street grids to try and build the UK\u2019s largest shopping centre was a disastrous venture. And yet\u2026 one reader makes the case: \u201cLoved or hated, it has certainly made its mark and is easily one of our most visited and well-used buildings. The iconic office tower, the rebuilding after the IRA bomb, and its cultural impact drawing people in from the region to shop and gather. Without it the city centre would be very different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Beetham<\/p>\n

Beetham Tower anchors the southern end of Deansgate. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Beetham Tower<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a02006<\/p>\n

Developer: Beetham<\/p>\n

Architect:\u00a0SimpsonHaugh<\/p>\n

Early 2000s Manchester was on the rise, but was by no means seen universally as \u201cthe capital of the North\u201d \u2013 Leeds had been the regeneration success of the 1990s. But a bullish city council working with hungry developers saw a suite of ambitious projects made reality: Spinnngfields, Piccadilly Place et al. Delivery of this 47-storey signal of confidence, as rivals failed to make their own tower ambitions a reality, was a huge achievement. Beetham laid down a marker. The Age of Renaker and \u2018Manchattan\u2019 followed.<\/p>\n

\"Bridgewater<\/p>\n

The Lower Mosley Street venue opened in 1996. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Bridgewater Hall<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a01996<\/p>\n

Client\/Developer:\u00a0Central Manchester Development Corporation<\/p>\n

Architect:\u00a0RHWL and Arup Acoustics<\/p>\n

Technically ingenious in its design, Bridgewater Hall broadened Manchester\u2019s cultural offer, gave the Halle Orchestra a fitting home, and has housed countless conventions, concerts, graduations and gatherings over 30 years in a quietly classy, unfussy way. One reader described Bridgewater Hall as \u201cthe start of Manchester\u2019s regeneration and the start of a big gamble on culture\u201d. It might be the city\u2019s most taken for granted modern addition.<\/p>\n

\"Central<\/p>\n

Central Library overlooks St Peter\u2019s Square. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Central Library<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a01934<\/p>\n

Client: Manchester Corporation<\/p>\n

Architect:\u00a0E. Vincent Harris<\/p>\n

As argued by Laurie Mentiplay, \u201cManchester was the first local authority to provide a public lending and reference library. It continued to innovate with the new Central Library in 1934. Then again with a major refurbishment and transformation in 2014. The Central Library continues to give us opportunities to improve our lives for the better. It\u2019s free to visit, welcoming and inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CIS<\/p>\n

The CIS tower sits in the NOMA estate on Miller Street. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

CIS Tower<\/p>\n

Completed: 1962<\/p>\n

Client\/Developer:\u00a0Co-operative Insurance Society<\/p>\n

Architect: Gordon Tait & CS Hay<\/p>\n

Designed for the Co-operative Insurance Society, the tower remains instantly recognisable, and a wayfinding mechanism for the Victoria\/Noma area. One nomination used the word \u2018trailblazer\u2019, and the building remains the UK\u2019s tallest office tower outside London. Stories about its future direction are always eagerly received by Place readers, keen to see a future befitting its heritage.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Express is Great Ancoats Street\u2019s architectural gem. Credit: Jim Stephenson via RDPR<\/p>\n

Daily Express Building<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a01939<\/p>\n

Client:\u00a0Daily Express<\/p>\n

Architect: Sir Owen Williams<\/p>\n

Trailed as a likely contender in Place\u2019s launch story, several readers have put on record their support for Great Ancoats Street\u2019s classiest structure. Grade two-listed, it was delivered as one of a set of three for the Daily Express, with the sister buildings in London and Glasgow also designed in a futurist, Art Deco style featuring opaque glazing. Now billed simply as Express, it is a monument to publishing\u2019s glory days.<\/p>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

The Royal Exchange Theatre sits within the Royal Exchange off St Anns Square. Credit: Marketing Manchester<\/p>\n

Royal Exchange Theatre<\/p>\n

Completed: 1976<\/p>\n

Client: Royal Exchange Theatre Company<\/p>\n

Architect: Levitt Bernstein<\/p>\n

The exchange complex in itself is beautiful and important. But it is slightly too old for this poll, so allow the case to be made for the idiosyncratic theatre-in-the-round housed in the main space. Phil Griffin argues: \u201cThe structure celebrates its fiftieth birthday this year, as startlingly modern and refreshingly original today is it was on opening night, in September 1976.\u201d Another supporter enthuses about how the \u201cincredible juxtaposition between the breath-taking Victorian trading floor and the so-called lunar module\u201d make it a must-see for visitors.<\/p>\n

\"Stoller<\/p>\n

On Hunts Bank, the venue sits opposite Victoria station. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Stoller Hall and Chetham\u2019s School of Music<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a02012 and 2017<\/p>\n

Client: Chetham\u2019s School of Music<\/p>\n

Architect: Stephenson ISA Studio<\/p>\n

Manchester\u2019s firm belief is that its cultural offer sets it apart, and the conjoined Stoller Hall and the expansion of Chetham\u2019s from its historic neighbouring estate received several nominations. Jeremy Hinds said: \u201cThe building is architecturally stunning, but more importantly, it houses the largest world-class music school in the UK and is unique to the region. The building, I think, is iconic and provides cultural standing for Manchester on the international music scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sunlight<\/p>\n

Sunlight House sits on Little Quay Street. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Sunlight House<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a01932<\/p>\n

Developer and architect: Joseph Sunlight<\/p>\n

On its completion the tallest building in the city, the 14-storey Art Deco gem remains a showstopper. The building has passed through the hands of a dizzying array of owners this century, and has had a few makeovers tart-ups, most significantly through current owner Karrev pumping in \u00a335m, reaping immediate rewards in letting two full floors.<\/p>\n

\"Terminl<\/p>\n

T1 gave Manchester an international gateway rivals haven\u2019t matched. Credit: MAG<\/p>\n

Terminal One, Manchester Airport<\/p>\n

Completed: 1962<\/p>\n

Client: Manchester Corporation<\/p>\n

Architect: LC Howitt<\/p>\n

A leftfield choice? Let Kevin O\u2019Connor try and convince you. \u201cControversial, perhaps, as it is certainly not aesthetically pleasing, but its importance is undeniable. Envisioned in the post-war period, it was a statement of bold civic ambition that served as Manchester\u2019s primary gateway to the world for over six decades. Beyond its immense economic contribution, it is for all Mancunians the place they travel through to the world beyond, symbolised by its famous 1960s Venetian glass chandeliers. It has touched the lives of generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"National<\/p>\n

Urbis on Cathedral Gardens has found a new lease of life. Credit: Place North West<\/p>\n

Urbis<\/p>\n

Completed:\u00a02002<\/p>\n

Client: Manchester City Council<\/p>\n

Architect: SimpsonHaugh<\/p>\n

Now home to the National Football Museum. As argued by Civic director James Bruce: \u201cIt marked a turning point in how Manchester saw itself and how the rest of the world saw the city. After 1996, Manchester\u00a0 could rebuild what had been lost or redefine itself. Urbis became one of the clearest physical expressions of that ambition. Its bold, contemporary architecture announced that Manchester wasn\u2019t interested in looking backwards, but was prepared to take risks, invest in culture and embrace a different future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Voting ends on 26 August. Vote in the poll below by ranking your top three choices. Can\u2019t see the poll? Click this link.<\/a><\/p>\n

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