An artist has created an image showing what the Manchester skyline could look like in the year 2100.
The image shows a few local landmarks – like Beetham Tower and Manchester Central – suddenly dwarfed by enormous, modern new skyscrapers.
The futuristic image shows a cluster of huge new towers, taller even than the Deansgate Square development.
It’s been created by artist Andrea Astarita as a collaboration with Adobe to celebrate Skyscraper Appreciation Day.
And okay, it’s not exactly been drawn up by architects or been created by trawling through planning documents – rather, artificial intelligence has played a big hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
Andrea used the new Photoshop Generative Fill tool, a clever gadget powered by Adobe Firefly, to transform Manchester’s skyline.
He gave the same treatment to other cities around the UK too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of it might look almost too futuristic, but then if you’d shown 90s Mancs the present day skyline with Deansgate Square looming, they’d have laughed you out of the city.
And just imagine how people would have reacted in the 80s if you’d told them that Ancoats would become one of the coolest neighbourhoods on Earth?!
An aerial view of the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester. Credit: Co-op LiveSome of the developments actually happening in Manchester.
While Andrea’s AI image is entirely the stuff of make-believe at present, there are some city-changing developments on the horizon.
ADVERTISEMENT
There is, of course, the looming opening of Aviva Studios, as well as the new Co-op Live, both taking shape on the city’s cultural map.
Then there’s Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s project, which will add a 41-storey skyscraper to the city centre.
Plans to build a massive skyscraper dubbed the ‘tombstone’ in Manchester are to go ahead despite objections, too.
Then there are new plans, taking shape right behind Deansgate Square, to build Manchester’s tallest skyscraper yet – with a 71st-floor restaurant.
So maybe Andrea’s AI-boosted impression isn’t such a stretch after all…?
MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space
Danny Jones
ADVERTISEMENT
Exciting times for Greater Manchester and young talent as a brand-new state-of-the-art content creation space has just launched over in Salford.
Over the past decade, MediaCity has become a highly celebrated creative and cultural hub, home to the likes of the BBC, ITV, Lowry and more.
It’s become more than just an outpost accessible via a short tram ride but a true heavyweight of the media and creative industries here in the UK, always looking to expand and push the boundaries.
Now, following the completion of its latest project, MediaCity looking to provide a space for future generations of content creators and aspiring media makers.
Credit: MediaCity (supplied)
This brand new £600,000 state-of-the-art content creation space marks a huge milestone in MediaCity’s continuing journey as not just a Northern hub for digital and creative innovation, but a go-to national destination for future media.
Designed to cater to the growing climate of cutting-edge content creation and offer a professional workspace at an accessible rate, Content Studio provides a range of versatile creative spaces, including light, dark and podcast studios – perfect for video and stills production, castings, photoshoots and more.
Curated by University of Salford alumni Ashley Salmon the studio has been designed to meet the needs of modern content creators, influencers, social media stars, brands and businesses of all kinds.
Promising to offer both a dynamic and inspiring space where people can produce high-quality and innovative content while fostering a supportive creative community, this place aims to live up to Greater Manchester’s media reputation: industry-leading.
The Content Studio will also be made accessible to students and creatives spending time over at the MediaCity campus, with a good chunk of the core production team including recent graduates from the University, giving them a valuable platform to showcase their skills and kickstart their careers.
Credit: Supplied
For the first time, creators will have access to a range of industry-quality facilities at an affordable rate, with spaces starting from just £10 per hour – a super reasonable price point, especially these days.
To further enhance the creative process, MediaCity has partnered with experienced on-site production companies to ensure every booking is fully equipped with all the facilities for seamless content creation.
Boasting everything from infinity walls and green screens to cameras, audio gear, props and pretty much everything you’d ever need.
To make things even sweeter, hiring the content creation space also comes with the option of one-on-one consultations, so creators can focus on creating rather than coordinating.
Even those who require significantly more space and tech requirements will be able to make use of the neighbouring dock10 studios.
Through a partnership with local creative community group Heads, creators will also have plenty of access to exclusive workshops and upskilling opportunities, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Credit: Supplied
The MediaCity Content Studio isn’t just another content creation/production space – Greater Manchester has tonnes of those – it’s also an exciting new outlet for new talent, collaboration, innovation and inspiration, not to mention an investment in the future.
Anyone working out of the space will have the tools to carve their own path and help shape the future of entertainment and digital media in the North and beyond.
To mark the launch of the new content creation space, MediaCity is even introducing a new podcast, This is MediaCity in partnership with University of Salford and produced by Stephen Chapman, Founder and Creative Director of 39 Pictures.
The podcast is set to spotlight the people and stories that make this particular corner of 0161 the creative powerhouse we know, love and remain immensely proud of.
Director of Marketing and Place at MediaCity, Caroline Aikman, said of the exciting project: “Content Studio represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of digital creators and innovators.
ADVERTISEMENT
“By providing the tools, spaces, and inspiration, we’re not just supporting the future of content—we’re empowering it. This marks an exciting chapter in MediaCity’s journey, cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for digital creativity.”
Greater Manchester town named ‘property hotspot’ after prices jump nearly 10% last year
Emily Sergeant
ADVERTISEMENT
One Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after house prices have increased by nearly 10%.
Every year, leading property listing website, Rightmove, takes a look at all the cities, towns, and residential areas across the UK where house prices saw a significant hike on average last year, and puts together a top 10 list.
The ‘hotspot’ table is made up of a variety of locations where prices rose the most, when compared to the end of the year prior.
Taking the top spot on 2024’s list of property ‘hotspots’ is Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, where the average asking price for a home jumped by 12.5% in 2024, compared with the end of 2023, while the runner up has been named as Bristol’s city centre, with average prices rising by 9%.
A Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after prices jumped nearly 10% last year / Credit: Pexels
Rounding out the top three, however, is the town of Swinton in Salford, with prices also rising by 9%, on average, in 2024 compared to 2023.
Swinton is becoming increasingly popular with first time buyers and families looking for more space and flexibility, while still being close to Manchester city centre, thanks to the several good local schools and community spaces within walking distance.
Other nearby north west areas in the top 10 for 2024 include Skelmersdale, in Lancashire near the border with Merseyside, and Darwen, also in Lancashire.
Top 10 ‘property hotspots’ for 2024
Sunbury-on-Thames
Bristol city centre
Swinton
Skelmersdale
Gosforth
Swansea
Merthyr Tydfil
Darwen
North Shields
Glenrothes
Overall, the North West was region with the second place highest increase in house prices in 2024 at 3.8%, followed by Wales and beaten only by the North East.
“Despite a slow year for price growth overall, there will always be pockets of Great Britain which perform above the average, and 2024’s list of hotspots is a mixed picture,” commented Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer, Steve Pimblett.
“Agents tell us that good quality homes in popular areas have continued to attract buyer interest, even in the slower periods of the market since mortgage rates went up.
“We predict that this year will be busier for the market in terms of price increases and sales, particularly if mortgage rates reduce.”