Description
About the CIS Tower, Manchester
A definitive study of Manchester’s first true skyscraper. This print celebrates the CIS Tower, a Grade II-listed masterpiece that marked the peak of British post-war optimism. Designed by Gordon Tait (of Sir John Burnet, Tait & Partners) in collaboration with G.S. Hay, the building was a bold departure from the red-brick tradition of the North, bringing the “International Style” of Chicago and New York to the Manchester skyline.
The “Subtractionist” perspective isolates the tower’s core elements, highlighting the tension between the shimmering glass curtain-wall office block and the monolithic service tower—a design language deeply influenced by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s Inland Steel Building in Chicago.
Architectural Detail & Influence
• The Chicago Connection: The CIS Tower was famously inspired by a 1950s “fact-finding” mission to the United States. It adopted the revolutionary “off-set core” design, allowing for the vast, open-plan office floors that were a first for the UK.
• Materiality & Resilience: The facade was engineered using glass, anodized aluminium, and black vitreous enamelled-steel panels—materials specifically chosen by the architects to withstand the industrial atmosphere of 1960s Manchester.
• The Mosaic Core: Originally clad in 14 million shimmering grey mosaic tesserae, the service tower has since become a pioneer of sustainable architecture, now housing Europe’s largest vertical solar array.
• Total Design (Gesamtkunstwerk): True to the Modernist ethos, the building’s interiors were curated by Professor Misha Black of the Design Research Unit (DRU), featuring teak veneers and William Mitchell’s iconic abstract murals.
Technical Specification
• Architects: G.S. Hay (CWS) & Gordon Tait (Sir John Burnet, Tait & Partners).
• Engineering: One of the first large-scale commercial buildings in England to feature full air-conditioning.
• Proportion: Captures the “T-shape” plan that balances the 25-storey tower against its 5-storey podium base.
“The CIS Tower remains a textbook example of discipline and consistency in Modernist design. It is a monolithic statement of efficiency—stripping away the superfluous to celebrate the beauty of the grid.”
Today, the CIS Tower remains: A symbol of Manchester’s industrial and commercial heritage
A striking example of mid-century modern architecture
A landmark that blends history, modernism, and innovation
This Subtractionism print captures the tower’s unique character with crisp shapes, refined detailing and a clean, contemporary aesthetic. It’s a striking piece for anyone who loves:
Manchester architecture
Mid-century modern design
Minimalist interiors
Local history and heritage
Statement wall art
Ideal for home offices, studios, apartments, and commercial spaces, this artwork brings a confident architectural presence into any room.
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