Its inspirational and innovative design has been masterminded by architect Ian Simpson on behalf of the Beetham Organisation. Impressively, 126 apartments and six triplex penthouses, including one breaking the £2.5 million barrier, have been sold.
Testimony to a man who believes high-rise living is the perfect antidote to life in the city.
Jitters from the aviation experts mean Holloway Circus Tower will never reach its full height. Plans were only given the go ahead once 30 metres had been shaved off the tower.
Architect Ian Simpson is undeterred.
"We could have probably got away with it at the planning process stage but it would have been controversial and we always must have safety in mind," he said.
Instead Ian and the team at Ian Simpson Architects literally went back to the drawing board and the final result is a tower that will still transform the city's skyline. Work began on the tower in summer 2003. The 130 metre high tower will combine residential apartments with a 218 bedroom, five star Radisson SAS hotel.
"That is important for us because in terms of activities it will give access to the public and create a public space, not just be for residential purposes," explained the Mancunian, who has already worked on other landmark projects including the Urbis building in his home city.
Flight paths were not the only challenges facing the architects.
"It is an extremely tight site and this was one of the restrictions. We believe it will have a very cool, contemporary feel but one with a bit of drama and a bit of theatre," said Ian.
"We are trying to create a unique sense of place."
Innovative use of glass will help meet the challenge.
"My interpretation is that we have tried to create elegant and streamlined proportions of the building which will help it soar," said Ian.
The glass will have shimmering effects of blue and, said Ian: "It will look different as you move around it. The building is not symmetrical and it will have a curved frontage that will play with the light."
Ian lives in Beetham Tower in Deansgate, at the heart of Manchester's city life. Another project undertaken on behalf of the Beetham Organisation.
"I live close to the top at Deansgate but it is half way up when you compare it to what is happening in Birmingham. I really love it. One of the things you can't really estimate is the quality of the light. Once you get above a certain height the quality of the light changes and you don't have that many obstructions. It is much brighter and the maximum amount of glass has been used to help enhance this."
There may be those put off by the thought of living in a glass building but the design team have used a lot of opaque glass, often running floor to ceiling to create maximum effect.
"This means people can do what they want behind the glass but the effect from the outside will remain the same," explained Ian.
"What we have tried to do is give the building a skin, to envelope the building. It is more akin to the models found in New York or Melbourne. It will have have an international look."
The company was involved in the development of the Foyer at St Chad's Circus in the mid-nineties but, said Ian, a lot has changed in Birmingham since then.
"There has to be a determination to make it happen. It can never compete with London but it can become a global city with its buildings and offer a quality of life."
He respects and understands the reasons for dramatic statements like the Selfridges' space age exterior at Bullring in Birmingham.
"It is an iconic building but I would not like to see the whole city like that, it is a one off," said Ian.
"What we have done is try to respect the quality of space and the quality of materials to give it a distinctive look."
Stainless steel spires will top off the building and Ian added: "I believe the tower will be beautiful. It will have a resonance and contribute positively to the city silhouettes."
And he added: "It will be tremendous. When the light moves across it, it will change. The glass is not just going to be a reflective material, it will be beautiful."
And the architect has already made one date in his diary.
"The team are planning a party at the top of the tower this Christmas to celebrate," said Ian.
High expectations for a man who enjoys being on top of game.
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