Robert De Niro ‘proud’ of his new Manchester link

Robert De Niro said he was “proud to be part” of Manchester as work got under way to build the city’s tallest skyscraper.

The Godfather, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas star is a key investor behind the Nobu Manchester building which, once constructed by developer Salboy, will be operated by Nobu Hospitality, a company co-owned by the Hollywood actor.

The 76-storey building, next to the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, will include 452 apartments, a high-end restaurant and a 160-bedroom hotel.

Confirming the project would take six years to complete, De Niro said Manchester had “real character [and was] creative, passionate and strong”.

“I look forward to coming back when it is finished, if not before,” said the 82-year-old star.

“I think it is going to take six years and I plan to be around.”

Once finished, the 807ft (246m) tower – featuring a swimming pool, a spa, a gym and a garden – will be the UK’s tallest building outside London.

De Niro said: “I haven’t seen the city yet but I’d like to come back. Everyone is very nice, we’re having a very nice time.

“It’s great being here in Manchester because it has real character, we’re proud to be part of it.”

The skyscraper has been designed by architect Ian Simpson.

Salboy was created by the Salford bookmaker Fred Done.

The Nobu brand was launched by De Niro with film producer Meir Taper and celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

They opened their first restaurant in New York in 1994 and they have since expanded their hospitality empire to dozens of 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 been booming for over 10 years now and the population just continues to grow.

“To entice the likes of Nobu and what they bring in terms of quality and brand and exposure – it’s enormous and I think this is a catalyst to really push on and do more in the city.”

The planned Nobu Manchester scheme will feature a second building on Great Bridgewater Street, which will stand at 23 storeys tall and have 133 apartments aimed at the affordable homes market.

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said the plans were a “symbol that international businesses are choosing Manchester”.

She added: “It’s not everyday you watch Robert De Niro take out an apartment in Deansgate is it?”

“It is a boost – we’ve said for a long time we wanted to be a world-class city and if you want to be a world-class city you’ve got to get global names.

“The fact we are seeing global names – not just actors – but global businesses that only go to cities where they will be successful is a big boost for Manchester.”

The first phase of Nobu Manchester – a 40-storey tower with 362 apartments built above a series of Victorian railway arches – was completed in 2024 on the site of the old Manchester Central station.