Last year saw the completion of Viadux Phase One, an exclusive 40-storey residential development of luxury one and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Manchester on which Ridge provided Building Services Engineering, Lighting Design Consultancy and Sustainability Consultancy.

Victorian viadux arches

Standing at 139 metres tall, the skyscraper is nestled among the striking Victorian lattice girder bridges of the industrial Castlefield Viaduct, perfectly blending historical preservation and modern architecture. 

Conceived by developer Salboy and architects SimpsonHaugh, the development enjoys a prime location connecting key areas of the city, including the historic Civic Quarter, the bustling high-end retail thoroughfare of Deansgate, the vibrant Deansgate Locks, and the expanding Oxford Road Corridor. 

Residents benefit from a range of luxurious amenities, including a pool and jacuzzi beneath the original arches, a steam room, sauna, reading room, communal lounge, games room, cinema room, karaoke room, gym, and yoga/Pilates studio.  

Challenges 

The high rise element of the scheme presented a number of challenges in terms of the design, not least the pressure imposed on the cold systems and the wet riser fire fighting systems.  Our approach was to adopt separate circuits for low and high pressure systems to regulate the pressure imposed in certain zones of the system at different heights. 

The existing ‘Listed’ brick arch element of the scheme presented a different challenge in terms of the careful and considered integration of Building Services systems with particular emphasis on the lighting design undertaken by Ridge.  Our approach was to minimise the extent of visible building services, adopting an integrated approach of services including lighting, alarms and ventilation. 

Viadux Phase Two

Building on the success of Phase One, plans for Viadux Phase Two are now well underway. This ambitious 76-storey mixed-use skyscraper is poised to become the tallest building in the UK outside London. Unlike its predecessor, Phase Two will feature a 160-bedroom luxury hotel on its lower floors, complemented by a public bar at ground level and a restaurant on level six. These additions aim to transform the area into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, while breathing new life into the Grade II Listed Viaduct. There are also plans to deliver 133 affordable homes as part of the development. 

To read more about the plans for Viadux Phase 2, visit https://www.viadux2-consultation.co.uk/  

Contact Chris Bradburn, Building Services Engineering Partner and Viadux Project Lead, at cbradburn@ridge.co.uk