The inside storey of the CIS tower

The CIS Tower, Manchester’s first skyscraper, represents a pivotal mid-century attempt to modernize the city through American-style urban development. Once a bustling "village in the sky" housing thousands of Co-operative Insurance employees, the building featured unique amenities like bowling alleys, a disco, and executive suites, fostering a self-contained work culture. Despite its historical significance and iconic status on the skyline, the structure has remained derelict for six years, complicating redevelopment efforts due to its listed status. While developers have proposed various mixed-use transformations, the building’s future remains uncertain. Staff writer Alec Herron highlights the contrast between the tower's former role as a symbol of progress and its current state, prompting a reflection on the evolution of civic-minded design in modern urban architecture.