50-storey tower and high hopes for Victorian baths

A GLASS-CLAD 50-storey block is the latest addition to Greater Manchester's skyline.

- NEAL KEELING

The tower, from developers Renaker, is the first of three to be completed at Colliers Yard in Greengate, which was the former medieval heart of Salford.

Amid a debate about striking the right balance over creating new buildings and protecting the old, the Colliers Yard development secured planning permission, back in 2020, on condition that the historic Collier Street baths building is restored.

This promise to Salford would see a building considered to be one of the country's most at-risk brought back into use. But at the moment, it's not known when this dream will be realised.

The new tower, built to rent, is called Cortland having been acquired by real estate investment, development, and management company, Cortland. It features provision for shops, restaurants, bars and cafes at street level, and houses 559 flats, which will solely be for rent. The second tower will be between 39 and 41 storeys and would hold 428 to 518 apartments. The third is expected to be 40 to 42 high storeys and deliver 420 to 444 apartments. Properties in the second two blocks will retail for between £300,000 and £500,000.