Allied London said it is now hoping to start construction of the three planned landmark towers in March next year.

Melbourne-based Denton Corker Marshall won the architectural design competition, following on from designing the award-winning Civil Justice Centre in Spinningfields for the developer.

In the latest version of the scheme,  one of the towers has been raised in height. The tallest of the three buildings at St John’s Place is planned to reach 50–stories, while the two other buildings will rise to 40 floors at the riverside site.

Michael Ingall, Allied London’s chief executive, said: “Notwithstanding our historic and successful partnership with Denton Corker Marshall, they proposed the best architectural solution to a difficult brief.

“Designing residential towers in Beta cities like Manchester is a challenge within the context of our design values, ‎so we required very experienced and thoughtful architects who understood our core objectives. We are bringing a new product to a new market and we can’t fall short of our design standards. DCM gave us a complete architectural solution that will be exciting and effective.”

James Sidlow, recently recruited to the Allied team from Deloitte LLP, will be heading up the delivery of the new St. John’s Living venture and brand.