A post-war northern town, facing the problems of bomb damage, poor quality housing, and the pressing need for new homes.
In 1963 there seemed to be space and the will to build, the site at the centre of the image flanked by ageing Victorian terraces and industry.
Soon to become the Mottram Street Development.
Back in 1965 these were the highest housing tower blocks in Greater Manchester.
The work of borough architects John Rank and Clifford Fernley.
1960’s Photographs from the Stockport Image Archive
1980’s photographs from The Tower Block
Typically they incorporated concrete street furniture, sculptural and decorative detail, in keeping with the age.
Like many other developments of the period they have subsequently been clad, fenced, painted and secured beyond recognition.
There was a raised concrete play area, of which nothing has survived.
A little of their original character however has prevailed – a William Mitchellesque fallen obelisk, along with some panelling and planters.
Curious to see public art behind bars
– would that they were removed.
modernmooch.com 
Excellent. I used to work in a little studio on Hillgate, you can see it in the background on the ninth photo down. I worked for two different* agncies in the very same building. There was a boozer the crown and a mini market opposite, the market was in the tower block.
*Different in a great many ways.
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