CIS Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CIS Tower |
|
|---|---|
_(geograph_2757249).jpg)
The CIS Tower with solar panel-clad service tower on the left and the glazed office tower on the right
|
|
| Record height | |
| Tallest in the United Kingdom from 1962 to 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Shell Centre |
| Surpassed by | Millbank Tower |
| General information | |
| Status | Grade II |
| Type | Office |
| Architectural style | Modernism |
| Location | Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°29′11″N 2°14′18″W / 53.48639°N 2.23833°W |
| Construction started | 1959 |
| Completed | 1962 |
| Opening | 1962 |
| Renovated | 2006 |
| Owner | The Co-operative Group |
| Height | |
| Roof | 118 m (387 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 25 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Gordon Tait G. S. Hay |
| Developer | CIS |
The CIS Tower is a very tall office building in Manchester, England. It stands on Miller Street and was finished in 1962. The tower is about 387 feet (118 meters) high.
This building is special because it is a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical or architectural landmark. The CIS Tower is home to the Co-operative Banking Group. It is one of Manchester's tallest buildings. It is also the tallest office building in the UK outside of London.
For over 40 years, the tower looked much the same. Then, some parts needed fixing. This led to a big update in 2006. The building's side was covered with solar panels. This made it more modern and energy-efficient.
The main office tower sits on top of a five-story base. This base is sometimes called a "podium."
Contents
About the CIS Tower
The CIS Tower is a famous part of Manchester's skyline. It was built for the Co-operative Insurance Society. This company is part of the larger Co-operative Group.
A Tall Building in Manchester
When it was built in 1962, the CIS Tower was very impressive. It was one of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom. It showed off new ways of building tall structures.
The tower has 25 floors. It was designed in a style called Modernism. This style focuses on clean lines and simple shapes.
Green Power: Solar Panels
In 2006, the CIS Tower got a big makeover. The outside of its service tower was covered with photovoltaic panels. These panels turn sunlight into electricity.
This renovation was a huge step for the building. It made the CIS Tower one of the largest solar-powered buildings in Europe. It shows how old buildings can become more eco-friendly.
The solar panels help the building use less energy from the main power grid. This is good for the environment. It also saves money on electricity bills.
Images for kids
-
CIS Tower from Miller Street
-
The original mosaic-clad tower in 2002, before its big update
