A colossal structure piercing the Manchester sky. That’s the Miller Street Tower. Its imposing presence speaks of ambition innovation and a bygone era.
Completed in 1962 the Miller Street Tower then known as the CIS Tower was a marvel. It was designed by architects Gordon Tait and G S Hay for the Co-operative Insurance Society. This wasn’t just any office building. It was a statement. A symbol of the Co-operative movement’s success. It housed 2500 employees once scattered across ten different buildings.
Imagine the sheer scale of this undertaking. Construction began in 1959 on a site ravaged by World War II bombing. The chosen location on Miller Street offered autonomy. It avoided the conditions attached to a Piccadilly site that mandated shops and a hotel. The architects travelled extensively studying contemporary office design in Italy the United States and Canada. This helped them to design a building that was more than just bricks and mortar.
The building’s design is a testament to its time. The main office tower rises from a five-storey podium. The unique feature a windowless reinforced concrete service tower. This service tower houses lifts and stairwells. It stands taller than the main office block. Initially clad in fourteen million grey tesserae it later underwent a remarkable transformation. This service tower was a source of ongoing problems. Falling tiles necessitated a major renovation.
This renovation incorporated a cutting-edge solution. They replaced the deteriorating mosaic with photovoltaic panels. This created the largest commercial solar facade in Europe. The project was completed in 2006 costing £5.5 million. It generates significant amounts of electricity. The project received financial support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry. The completed work was recognized as one of the top ten green energy projects in 2005.
More than just a workspace the Miller Street Tower was designed with employee well-being in mind. The interior design was exceptional. William Mitchell’s abstract mural graces the entrance hall. The executive areas feature teak and cherry wood veneers. The building’s ventilation and air-conditioning systems were pioneering. The air quality inside was a priority given Manchester’s pollution.
For over forty years the Miller Street Tower stood as Manchester’s tallest building. It held the title of the tallest office building in the UK outside London. Only surpassed by the Beetham Tower. Its impressive height is just one aspect of its story. The Miller Street Tower stands as a landmark building. It represents innovation architectural design and a commitment to both the environment and its workforce. A true testament to Manchester’s history and spirit.