February 2022

Project Focus
A FLOWING FACADE FOR STUDENT
ACCOMMODATION
Total Contractor hears how installer Alumet utilised glass and metal cladding panels from
Proteus Facades to create a clever, glistening facade for the new River Street Tower student
accommodation development in Manchester.
Anew student accommodation development
in Manchester has been hailed as a
welcome addition to the city by the local
authority, residents and visitors, thanks in part to
a glistening facade created through the clever use
of glass and metal cladding panels from Proteus
Facades.
Designed by Simpson Haugh Architects and
developed by Downing Construction, River Street
Tower offers high quality, affordable student
accommodation that comprises of three distinct
structures. The largest reaches a colossal 32
storeys and sits alongside a second ten storey
structure and a smaller five storey building.
Based in Manchester City Centre, River Street
Tower is the latest in Downing’s portfolio of
student accommodation properties and is
situated in the First Street Neighbourhood,
between River Street and Garwood Street, next to
the Mancunian Way.
Dancing in the natural light
The development, which has successfully
regenerated a dilapidated brownfield site that
was previously considered to be a city eyesore,
features Proteus GL 5mm glass panels with an
RAL 5004 Dark-Blue finish.
Installed on the external façade of the 32-storey
building and across the inner courtyards, the
panels were chosen as the dark-blue finish
dances in the natural light, but without creating
glare for nearby traffic and passers-by.
Architects Simpson Haugh also specified the
Proteus GL panels as they have an EN13501
certified to A2-s1,d0 fire rating, which is in line
with Downing Construction’s strict safety
guidelines in all aspects of design and build – a
key requirement for all buildings developed by the
student accommodation specialist.
Sitting alongside other buildings in the
Continued on page 48
The River Street Tower student
accommodation, Manchester.