The 76-storey scheme will rise to 246m, making it both the tallest building on the Manchester skyline and outside of London.

Under the deal, Nobu Hospitality will take on the planned Deansgate scheme to house a 160-room hotel, restaurant and 452 Nobu-branded residences.

Backed by De Niro and restaurant entrepreneur Nobu Matsuhisa, NobuHospitality is now a global luxury lifestyle brand with 46 hotels and 20 residences in its portfolio. Viadux 2 will be Nobu‘s first residential project in the UK.

Each residence at the Great Bridgewater Street scheme will feature refined design with Japanese details, premium amenities—including Nobu dining and room service —an exclusive swimming pool, spa, podium garden and gym.

Subject to a positive planning outcome this spring, construction could go-ahead this year. While not confirmed, Domis, Salboy’s in-house contractor was understood to be in the frame to deliver the building.

Agreement signing from left: Simon Ismail, MD & Co-founder of Salboy; Fred Done, Co-founder of Salboy; Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality; Struan McKenzie, COO of Nobu Hospitality; and (standing) Diane Daudin Clavaud, Corp. Dir. of Global Business Development at Nobu Hospitality

Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality, said: “We are proud to include Manchester in our global collection, with its vibrant culture and growing global status.  Strong partnerships are essential to our success, and with Salboy, Fred Done, and Simon Ismail, we have the best-in-class partners with a solid reputation and a world-renowned vision.

“None of our locations are cookie cutter; we wholeheartedly embrace the spirit of each destination.  We are delighted to be working with Salboy to blend the Nobu experience with the essence of Manchester.”

Architect simpsonhaugh supported by M&E consultant Ridge and structural engineer Renaissance designed the original scheme.

The distinctive tower facade has been profiled to reduce windspeed lessening its impact on pedestrians with aerodynamic chamfer corners and inclined facades creating a rippled effect.

Due to the main building’s height, a transfer truss will be used to minimise the building’s structural elements to the viaduct structure below it.

Exterior image from Albion Street of Nobu Residences, Hotel, and Restaurant Manchester

The 23-storey building in phase two will contain 130 affordable homes and has been designed with a parallelogram-shaped footprint to fit closely to the edge of the viaduct structure.