Iconic tower that looms over Manchester city centre set for a makeover 'to reduce risk of Covid'

One of Manchester’s original skyscrapers is set to undergo a makeover — in order to help reduce the risk of Covid-19 and improve its heating system.

City Tower, which looms over Piccadilly Gardens, opened in 1965. At 107 metres (351 feet) tall, the modernist tower is the city’s 15th-tallest building.

The concrete walls were originally designed to resemble a circuit board, but now owners Schroders have secured planning permission to alter the external appearance of the tower. The changes will be made to the glass north-west and south-east sides of the building.

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Work can now begin on installing ‘additional glazed louvres’ from floor three to 27. The louvres have slats which allows fresh air to come into the building, which is used for offices.

“The additional louvres are proposed in order to increase the ventilation and improve the provision of clean air within the building,” said a letter from Laura Hughes, of CBRE, writing on behalf of owners Schroders to Manchester City Council.

“Additional ventilation will ensure that an acceptable level of air quality is provided for both current and future occupancy levels of the building,” she continued. “The improved ventilation also provides additional environmental and health benefits, such as reducing the risk of exposure to Covid-19 and providing an effective internal heating control system.”

Architects have taken care to ensure the louvres have a small impact on the building’s surroundings, the letter went on. It said: “The design of the louvres has been chosen to reduce the visibility of the louvres.

“The louvres are to be positioned within the top-lights of