Contour (towers)
Residential development under construction in Manchester, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contour is a residential development under construction in the Castlefield area of Manchester, England. Once completed, it will comprise two 154-metre (505 ft), 51-storey skyscrapers[4] designed by SimpsonHaugh architects[3] as part of the Great Jackson Street masterplan, adjacent to the Deansgate Square skyscraper cluster.[5]
Tower 2: Under construction
| Contour | |
|---|---|
Contour Tower 1 in February 2026 | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| Former names | Great Jackson Street Plot F[1] |
| General information | |
| Status | Tower 1: topped out Tower 2: Under construction |
| Type | Residential skyscrapers |
| Location | Great Jackson Street, Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53.472°N 2.25°W |
| Construction started | 2024 |
| Estimated completion | 2026[2] |
| Owner | Renaker |
| Height | |
| Height | Tower 1: 154 m (505 ft) Tower 2: 154 m (505 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Tower 1: 51 Tower 2: 51 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | SimpsonHaugh[3] |
| Website | |
| contournewjackson | |
The towers incorporate a faceted design with chamfered edges, giving them a multi‑planar profile. Developed by Renaker, the project remains under construction, with Tower 1 structurally topped out in February 2026 and external cladding installation ongoing. When completed, they will be the joint seventh-tallest buildings in Greater Manchester.
History
Planning
The planning application was submitted by the developer Renaker to Manchester City Council in November 2021 for two 51-storey residential buildings across two phases.[6] The towers will contain a combined total of 988 apartments[5] and each building will have co-working space, a gym and lounges.[7] Planning approval for the towers was obtained in March 2022.[8][9]
Construction
Construction work began in March 2024.[10] The first tower topped out in February 2026 with completion expected later the same year.[2]
The site of the two towers will also include 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) of public realm.[11]
Design and architecture
The towers were designed by SimpsonHaugh as part of the wider Great Jackson Street masterplan. Contour consists of two identical 51‑storey towers positioned on a shared podium. Each tower has a faceted massing with chamfered edges. The façades combine glazing with blue and green anodised aluminium cladding.[12]
In height, materials, and overall composition, the towers are consistent with adjacent developments such as Deansgate Square, Three60, and The Blade.
Gallery
Tower 1 under construction in February 2025
Tower 1 under construction in March 2025
Tower 2 under construction in March 2025
Tower 1 under construction in April 2025
Tower 2 under construction in May 2025
Tower 1 topped out in February 2026
Tower 2 under construction in February 2026
