The Hilton Tower is a landmark 48-story, 46,452-square-meter (500,000- sf) skyscraper on a 0.5-hectare (1.2-ac) site in the Manchester city center. Completed in 2006 by the Beetham Organization, it was designed by Ian Simpson Architects, and with a height of 169 meters (554 ft), it is one of the United Kingdom’s tallest mixed-use buildings and the tallest structure in Manchester by a significant margin. In a relatively new concept for the country, a 279-bed Hilton hotel occupies the first 23 stories, culminating in the stunning Sky Bar, which offers uninterrupted views of the city and the surrounding countryside. Above that, 219 luxury apartments occupy the upper stories from level 25 to the triplex penthouse on level 47, which is the home of architect Ian Simpson—a clear demonstration of pride and affection for the project. Two basement levels provide resident car parking. A second phase of the development includes a 5,574-square-meter (60,000-sf) office development.

Developer
Beetham Organization
Liverpool, UK

Architect
Ian Simpson Architects
Manchester, UK

Website
www.beetham.eu/plugins/content/content.php?content.18

Principal Author(s)
Theodore Thoerig, Alexandra Notay, David Leipziger

ULI Awards for Excellence 2009 Winner