Structural defects confirmed after partial collapse of Alberton House in Manchester

A partial collapse occurred at the demolition site of Alberton House in Manchester city centre on October 24, 2025, sending scaffolding and debris into the River Irwell. The 12-storey building, originally constructed in the 1960s, was being dismantled to make way for a new 18-storey office tower. Authorities and contractors have since confirmed that no injuries were reported, though the event prompted evacuations and widespread concern across the area.

Demolition activities were being carried out when part of the structure gave way, causing what witnesses described as an “earthquake-like” vibration across nearby buildings. Surrounding properties, including Cardinal House, were evacuated as a precaution. The site was immediately cordoned off, and an investigation was launched in coordination with local authorities.

Subsequent assessments revealed that the collapse was linked to latent structural defects within the existing building. According to the demolition team, the roof slab was not fully tied into the main structure, compromising the stability of upper levels. Work had already been paused earlier in October after engineers identified potential weaknesses and implemented contingency plans to manage a possible failure.

Following the incident, it was confirmed that all debris was contained within the site perimeter and that safety measures were effectively executed. The demolition team continues to operate under strict exclusion zones while conducting controlled dismantling of the remaining structure. Coordination with the Health and Safety Executive and Manchester City Council’s Building Control is ongoing to ensure the site remains secure.

The event has underscored the challenges of managing ageing reinforced concrete buildings with hidden defects during demolition.

Footage on the collapsed video can be seen in the following video.