From shortly after 9pm this evening the crackles, bangs and whizzes of an extended firework display echoed around central Manchester, lighting up the sky with bright flashes visible for miles around. The sound and light emanated from the top of the tallest building in the city, the Beetham Hilton tower, which had its ‘topping out’ ceremony. The bangs and flashes didn’t subside until shortly before 9.30pm
The tower has been under construction since late 2004 and is nearing completion.
‘Topping out’ refers to the ceremonial placement of the final and uppermost piece of a building. Officials from the Beetham Organisation and others involved in the construction of the building were present. The builidng was also lit up by a giant projected image.
The Beetham Hilton Tower is the tallest building outside London and tallest residential tower in the country. It is a project of the Liverpool-based Beetham Organisation, in association with Hilton Hotels.