Richard Stead and
Laura O’Neill,North West
BBCRobert de Niro says he is “proud to be a part” of Manchester as construction begins on the city’s tallest skyscraper.
Nofathing, taxi driver and Goverfellas star is a key investor behind the Nobu Manchester Building, which is operated by Nobu with the approval of Nobu, a company owned by Hollywood Actors.
The 76-storey building, next to CastleDate-Castlefield Tram Stasing, will include 452 apartments, a high-end restaurant and a 160-room Hotel.
Confirming the project will take six years to complete, de Niro says Manchester has “real character [and was] creative, enthusiastic and strong”.
Salbey“I’m looking forward to going back when it’s over, if not before,” said the 82-year-old star.
“I think it will be six years and I plan to tour.”
When completed, the 807ft (246m) Tower – with a swimming pool, a spa, a gym and a garden on the outskirts of London.
De Niro said: “I haven’t seen the city yet but I want to go back. Everything was great, we had a great time.
“It’s great to be here in Manchester because it has real character, we’re proud to be a part of it.”
The skyscraper was designed by architect Ian Simpson.
Salboy was created by Salford Bookmaker created by Fred.
‘Booming’
The Nobu brand was launched by De Niro with film producer Meir taper and Celebrity Chef Nobu Matsuhisya.
They opened their first restaurant in New York in 1994 and they have since expanded their hospitality empire to many cities around the world.
Manchester will become Nobu’s second UK location, 35 years after it opened in London.
Salboy Managing Director Simon Ismail said: “Manchester’s growth has been going on for over 10 years now and the population continues to grow.
“To attract the likes of Nobu and what they bring in terms of quality and brand and exposure – a lot and I think it’s a reason to really push and do more in the city.”
The planned Nobu Manchester Scheme has a second building on Great Street Street in the Bridge, which will stand 23 shops high and have 133 apartments aimed at the affordable housing market.
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig said the plans were a “symbol that international businesses are choosing Manchester”.
He added: “It’s not every day you watch Robert de Niro snap up a flat on Deansgate is it?”
“It’s a motivation – we’ve been saying for a long time that we want to be a world-class city and if you want to be a world-class city you’ve got to get world-class names.
“The fact that we see global names – not just actors – but global businesses that only go to cities where they can be successful is a big boost for Manchester.”
The first phase of Nobu Manchester – a 40-storey tower with 362 apartments built on top of a series of Victorian railways in 2024 on the site of Old Manchester Central Station.
