With support from the Modernist Society, Prof Richard Brook’s new monograph, The Renewal of Post-War Manchester, was formally launched on 6^th February at the top of Manchester’s City Tower, from its Skylounge.

The Renewal of Post-War Manchester offers a compelling account of the project to transform post-war Manchester, revealing the clash between utopian vision and compromised reality. Urban renewal in Britain was thrilling in its vision, yet partial and incomplete in its implementation. For the first time, this deep study of a renewal city reveals the complex networks of actors behind physical change and stagnation in post-war Britain.

Using the nested scales of region, city and case-study sites, the book explores the relationships between Whitehall legislation, its interpretation by local government planning officers and the on-the-ground impact through urban architectural projects. Each chapter highlights the connections between policy goals, global narratives and the design and construction of cities.

Equally, the Skylounge was the perfect setting for the event, as the tower was one of the most significant new buildings in the city during the period on which the book is focussed. This association did not escape the attention of guests who were enamoured with the connections between the building’s history and its new life and recent rebranding.

Eighty guests were spoiled with a breathtaking sunset on a crisp winter’s day. The event took visitors from the top of the building to its bowels, as they were treated to a concrete lover’s dream in the -3 level sub-basement! A recently discovered model of Pritzker Prize winning architect Tadao Ando’s original proposals for Piccadilly Gardens was the major surprise artefact in a small installation that also included large format photographs of the now removed 1960s plant equipment, taken by Richard in 2008.

The labyrinthian Piccadilly Plaza holds a great many secrets, amongst them is an incredible set of dyeline prints in old wooden plan chests hidden away in a windowless room. A curated set of drawings from this informal archive was hung in the Skylounge, as well as a painting for proposals for a new bus station from the mid-1970s and a rare marketing brochure for the ‘Hotel in Space’ from the 1960s!

Manchester University Press sold all the copies they brought for the launch and Richard busily signed dedications between his introductory presentations. Those invited all played a significant part in the development of the book, their support, criticism, advice over the years did not go unnoticed and Richard was pleased to have the opportunity to bring them together to say a heartfelt thank you.

You can purchase The Renewal of Post-War Manchester from Manchester University Press here.