15 Quay Street, Manchester City Centre

Guildown Properties

This newly built office filled a gap in a terrace of Edwardian buildings within the Quay Street Conservation Area. It was the practice’s first opportunity to develop a contemporary language which would work within the historic context of the City of Manchester.

The building formally completes a terrace of taller buildings to the east which are 2m in front of the lower buildings to the west. Overlapping of the brick planes and the receded stone tower articulates the street frontage.

The composition distils the essentials of its neighbours with its strong detailing, deep window reveals and expression of bottom middle and top. The materials also pay homage to context. The project received a RIBA Award in 1992. The building was completely pre-let to a Government department on completion.