In the heart of Manchester’s financial district, a major high-rise development is setting new benchmarks for construction scaffolding in the UK. For this complex inner-city project, Prime Scaffold Design engineered the hoist tower, while Scafom-rux supplied the RINGSCAFF modular scaffolding system to build the 140-metre-high structure – the tallest ground-based scaffold ever erected in Manchester.

20,000 modular scaffolding components in action

Construction on the site began in September 2023 with demolition and enabling works. Since then, the project has steadily gathered momentum. Within 26 months, work progressed to level 14 of the above-ground structure, while a three-storey basement and extensive internal fit-outs up to level 12 took shape below.

With the concrete frame advancing floor by floor, the 140-metre hoist tower is already playing a central role by providing vital access for both personnel and materials as the building rises.

“The hoist tower is a critical element of the project,” explains Mark Gaffney of Kinlan Scaffolding. “It will service all floors and has been designed to safely carry loads of up to 10?kN per square metre. With over 20,000 RINGSCAFF components totalling around 100 tonnes, the structure demonstrates the versatility and strength of modular scaffolding systems.”

Perfecting the scaffold design off-site

The scaffold design had to meet demanding technical requirements, from its self-weight and live loads to anchoring in tight urban spaces with challenging ground conditions. Early-stage collaboration between Scafom-rux and Kinlan Scaffolding allowed a trial section of the tower to be built off-site to refine the design and ensuring seamless integration with the trades on-site.

“Material delivery and logistics posed significant challenges due to the restricted city-centre site,” adds Andrew Gee from Scafom-rux. “By staging deliveries via Kinlan’s yard on the outskirts of Manchester and lifting materials with tower cranes, we ensured efficiency while meeting all project deadlines.”

How to anchor a 140 meter high hoist tower

The scaffold assembly required a small dedicated team on-site, typically two to four scaffolders, supported by engineers and site personnel. The hoist tower reaches an impressive 140?metres, making it the tallest ground-based scaffold ever erected in Manchester. Achieving this height posed particular challenges, as the scaffold had to be carefully anchored with pre-installed ties to ensure stability while safely carrying materials and personnel throughout the building.

David Rogerson from Prime Scaffold Design, responsible for the scaffold engineering, explains: “The ties were a little bit out of the ordinary, so we worked with the concrete contractor to look at casting anchors. The solution was to install the ties ahead of the scaffold, so when Kinlan and the team progressed with the scaffold, the anchor point is right where we need it.“

Despite the complexity, early milestones, such as completing the basement deck and installing the hoist, were achieved on schedule. Project Manager John Holden of Domis Construction highlights the building’s distinctive design: “The building will be one of the most striking glass façades in Manchester. Incorporating the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby Pub into the scheme added complexity, but we managed to progress without delays.”

“The monster of Manchester”: Tackling one of the UK’s most challenging urban construction sites

Looking ahead, the project aims for completion of the concrete frame by December 2026, with overall delivery scheduled for September 2027. “Manchester’s tallest ground-based scaffold shows what careful planning and close collaboration can achieve,” concludes Andrew Gee.

“It’s a high-profile, technically challenging project, and we are proud to be part of it. The monster of Manchester, as we call it.”

As the building continues to rise, it stands not only as a record-breaking structure but also as a showcase of technical expertise and teamwork in one of the UK’s most challenging urban construction sites.

Project Key Facts

• Hoist tower height: 140?metres
• Total scaffold components: 20,000 parts of RINGSCAFF modular scaffolding
• Total scaffold weight: ca. 100?tonnes
• Safety design load: 10?kN/m² on scaffold platforms
• Anchoring system: Pre-installed ties integrated with concrete frame
• Project timeline: Concrete frame completion by Dec 2026, overall delivery Sep 2027