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Residents of one of Manchester city centre's most prestigious skyscrapers are being forced to abandon their homes - after a significant power outage that bosses say cannot be resolved until Monday.

Power has failed at the towering West Tower, which soars 44 storeys above Deansgate and houses hundreds of residents in upmarket apartments and penthouses. Known as The Residences, the properties are marketed as "extraordinary apartments" with "exceptional service" and have been welcoming occupants for five years, Manchester Evening News reports.

But on Thursday evening, residents were spotted dragging suitcases out of one of the city's tallest buildings, desperately seeking hotels and alternative accommodation after being informed that electricity will remain off for a further four days - until Monday.

Residents have reported that the power first failed on Wednesday evening at approximately 9pm, though the building's management team attempted to reassure occupants that work was under way to resolve the issue.

Electricity and hot water remained unavailable throughout Thursday, before emails were dispatched to all residents on Thursday evening, confirming that the fault cannot be rectified until Monday.

Residents are being given the option of remaining in their homes without electricity, or sourcing alternative accommodation, which they have been told will be reimbursed at a later date. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the M.E.N.: "It's chaos, everyone's pi***d off and it's just the unknown, it's the uncertainty of whether the electrics will actually back on on Monday."

He revealed he had booked a hotel while the problems are resolved, adding: "I can do without hot water because I can shower at the gym, but having no wifi or TV? No, I had to leave, I need my TV."

Another resident said: "Power went off last night, the whole building just went off. It was all blacked out, we thought it would be back on this morning, but we've waited all day while they said a generator is coming. They've now said they can't do anything until Monday, and the reception is so busy with angry people. I've got to decide where to go tonight."

One woman revealed she was so distressed by the situation that she is now considering leaving the apartments for good. She said: "We still have no update as to when the electricty will be back on. I work from home so electricity is vital and I've had to take today as unpaid leave.

"I pay over £1,600 per month in rent and expect the management to have been better equipped and have higher quality energy infrastructure. We were told to use the gym's showers but only two of the four women's showers were working. All we have been provided with is bottled water. Management are refusing to compensate for all the spoiled food from fridges and freezers, as well as the purchase of all new food." She added: "I will certainly be looking for alternative places to live."

An email from The Residences Management, seen by the M.E.N., was sent to residents on Thursday evening updating them of the situation. In it, they "sincerely apologise for the disruption and inconvenience caused".

It said: "The cause of the outage has now been identified as a fault with the busbar within the Deansgate Square site, which is impacting power supply to all properties within West Tower.

"This section of the development is managed by a third party, who are working closely with their contractors to restore power as quickly as possible. The replacement component is bespoke and is currently being manufactured, with delivery expected onsite next week. Following this, insurers will investigate the cause of the outage and carry out the necessary loss adjustment process."

It continued: "Although we had previously advised that the power may be restored to apartments this evening, due to unforeseen complications, it is anticipated that temporary generator power will not be in effect until Monday 13th April 2026.

"Whilst there is no power to apartments, we can confirm that there is an emergency supply to all lifts and life safety systems (fire alarm system, automatic opening smoke vents, sprinkler system) within the building, which remain fully operational during this period.

"In the meantime, residents have the choice to stay in the building or arrange alternative hotel accommodation from this evening until Monday 13 April 2026, when temporary power is anticipated to be restored."

The email confirmed they would cover alternative accommodation and food expenses "up to £120 per night for couples and singles", while families were advised to consult a staff member for "further guidance".

The West Tower forms part of the Deansgate Square skyscraper complex and currently stands as Manchester's 11th tallest structure at 44 storeys. The city's tallest building is one of its adjacent towers, the South Tower, which rises to 65 floors.

Luxury flats in the West Tower start from one-bedroom properties at £1,400 monthly, two-bedroom apartments from £1,950 monthly, three-bedroom apartments from £2,300 monthly, rising to the exclusive duplex penthouses which are "price on application" but are believed to reach as much as £20,000 monthly to lease.

Council officials say they will now demand immediate answers regarding the situation from the West Tower's management firm.

Pat Karney, city centre spokesperson said: "This is an unbelievable development in one of Manchester's newest towers. Myself and local Deansgate councillors will seek an urgent meeting with the management company of the block to assess how we can help the residents living in the block."