
Dock Office, Salford
A Heritage Building Reimagined with Contemporary Aesthetics
- ArchitectDV Architects
- PhotographerJohn Kees Photography
- FabricatorQuest Solutions UK Ltd
- CitySalford
- CountryUnited Kingdom
Originally constructed in 1927 as a bank and office building, the Dock Office in Salford stands as a proud reminder of the city's industrial legacy. Designed by renowned architects Henry Fairhurst and Son, the building occupies a prominent position within a district that has undergone transformational regeneration since the 1980s.
Now, following a sensitive and ambitious redevelopment by Liveman Properties, the Dock Office enters a new era - as a striking residential building that combines heritage preservation with contemporary design.
A Landmark Reborn
The reimagined Dock Office now accommodates a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with an additional 14 duplex units introduced through a dramatic rooftop extension. This new volume sits atop the original building and is set back from the principal facade to respect the scale and street presence of the project.

Designed by DV Architects, the extension has been designed to be a deliberate contrast to the white-painted concrete of the historic building. It appears as a sleek, dark addition with flush glazing and minimal frame offering a modern counterpoint to the clean symmetry below.
Toggle Curtain Walling
To achieve this seamless visual effect, the project team specified TECHNAL Toggle Glazing curtain walling for the rooftop extension. The toggle glazing allows for a cap-less, flush glass facade which is ideal for delivering uninterrupted expansive glass and sharp edge while concealing most of the aluminium structure.

TECHNAL curtain walling can be installed in concave or convex configurations, and was specifically chosen for its fast installation process, made possible by a thermally broken toggle connection that securely fixes the glazing to transoms and mullions without visible caps.
TECHNAL Windows - Efficient with a Heritage Aesthetic
On the lower floors, the original timber-framed windows were replaced with TECHNAL aluminium windows, chosen for their high thermal performance and ability to mirror the proportions of the historic fenestration.
Powder-coated in white to match the facade, these new window units improve energy efficiency while maintaining the building's elegant period detailing. As the building is a local heritage asset, DV Architects worked closely with conservation officers to ensure that the upgrades respected the character and rhythm of the original design.

The Dock Office is a local heritage asset and great care has been taken to ensure that the character of the building is not altered. We wanted the rooftop addition to be clean and modern - appearing as a simple, dark box on top of the crisp white building below.
Specialist Fabrication and Installation
TECHNAL's systems were fabricated and installed by Quest Solutions (UK) Ltd, who delivered both the windows and the facade. The team used black ceramic glass for the upper glazing to reinforce the visual contrast and deliver the minimal, elegant finish envisioned by the architects.
TECHNAL's toggle-glazed curtain walling allowed us to create a high-performance, flush glass facade with visibly less aluminium - just as the design team intended.
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