Developers behind Manchester's Beetham Tower, said to be Europe's tallest residential building, are celebrating it reaching full height.

The building now stands 171m (561ft) and 47 storeys above the city centre.

 

A five-star Hilton hotel will occupy the first 23 floors and apartments fill the other 24. Tower architect Ian Simpson will live in the penthouse.

 

A topping out ceremony was taking place on Wednesday, marking the completion of Beetham's highest point.

 

The development, which stands at the crossroads of Deansgate, Great Bridgewater Street and Liverpool Road, is a glass tower that will be the highest residential development in Europe.

 

The UK's tallest tower is Canada Tower in London's Canary Wharf, at 778ft (237m) tall.

 

Residents will have unrivalled views of Snowdonia, Liverpool and Blackpool Tower from Beetham, which now dominates the Manchester skyline.

 

The building, close to Granada's studios, even offers "over the wall" views of the nearby Coronation Street set.

 

Mr Simpson's top floor apartment is said to give him the furthest views of any resident in the UK.

 

He said Beetham was "a marked for regeneration and change" in the city.

 

He added: "It signals the perception that Manchester had changed for good.

 

"Living in your own building is something very special and the views are spectacular as well.

 

"But if I make any mistakes, I'll have to live with them, that's the problem!"

 

BBC Manchester

:) its a great day for manchester ...

city won last night :lol:

Beetham won't be tallest for long ;)

In asia 171m aint tall at all!

I can say in Shanghai there're hundreds of buildings taller than that!

how many people were killed making those?

No-one is killed!!

Its an absolute monstrosity. The closer you get to it, the worse it looks. The glass doesn't match, and isn't in any sort of pattern. Its one of the ugliest buildings I've seen in a long while.