In the popular New Islington district of central Manchester is the Oxygen Tower, a 32-storey residential construction project made up of:
● 12 luxury 3-storey townhouses
● 361 apartments comprising one and two beds
● 2 and 3 bed penthouses at the summit of each tower
● Basement health suite and swimming pool
● 47 underground car parking spaces

Oxygen tower was a landmark residential construction project in the Manchester skyline. A type 3 basement containing two separate systems for waterproofing under tower one was constructed – using waterproof concrete and a secondary membrane.

Large bespoke sized balcony doors were provided to all apartments, specially developed and tested at an offsite testing facility to CWCT standards prior to installation. The facade cladding was precast concrete, and a curtain walling was installed on site. The outcome of the Oxygen Tower residential construction project is a new benchmark for luxury living in Manchester.

Property Alliance Group chose Russell WBHO to deliver the construction of their flagship residential building in their home city of Manchester. The challenge was to deliver luxury housing in just 761 sq m. The wedge shaped site sits on the bank of the Rochdale Canal in the city centre with major arterial roads running along two sides, a heavy railway line within 200 yards and a walled boundary from an existing build next door all added in an additional challenge.

The 27-storey Axis Tower offers:
● 169 residential apartments
● 1 luxury penthouse
● 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments with associated communal and landlord areas

Engineer’s solutions were devised for this residential construction project to extend the internal area with raking columns. These transfers laid down to the foundations and cruciform joints at the ‘prow’ end, cantilevering the structure from the second floor by 3m in each direction to increase the footplates by 200 sq m on each floor to further increase the commercial potential of the building.

Pre-planning, meticulous site management and a close collaborative relationship between contractor, designer, engineer, sub-contractors and the client led to the completion of the residential construction project four months early, on budget and to the specified quality.

New build residential construction development The Loom at Vulcan Mill was developed within the final plot of the existing Advert site in Ancoats. The scheme was for 101 apartments, all with renewable energy provisions, including PV/Solar roof panels and a basement car park.

After a detailed assessment of the site location and tight logistical considerations, it was decided that a precast concrete frame structure would be the most economical with a mixed facade finish of traditional brickwork and cladding panels.

The Loom residential construction also consisted of work to external public realm elements by adjoining existing footpaths and pedestrian routes beside waterways. The project concluded on time, on budget while offering high quality living in a much sought-after location.

Russell WBHO has developed an enviable reputation for delivering quality residential build projects at any price point, from ultra-luxury city centre apartments with in-house spas and concierge services, to cost-effective suburban social housing.

The popularity of city centre living makes high-rise and tight-site development an attractive option for developers, a specialism we have developed over the last decade. This sector is expected to remain strong as Manchester City Council strives to achieve 32,000 new homes before 2025.

It’s also seen the growth of residential-led regeneration such as the new life breathed into the Ancoats area of Manchester. We delivered projects like The Cube and The Mews for Manchester Ship Canal Developments, The Loom at Vulcan Mill for Artisan Investments, and LPC Living’s Radclyffe Park in Salford.

To read more details about Russell WBHO residential construction projects, you can browse specific projects below.