Crestron Installation — Beetham Tower Penthouse, Manchester

Crestron Integration Award Winner — “Best High Rise Project in Europe”

Our work on the penthouse of the iconic Beetham Tower in Manchester is one of our highest-profile installations. Commanding the entire two top floors of the 168.87m tower — the highest living space in Europe at the time of installation — this is a penthouse like no other. The installation won Custom Controls the Crestron Integration Award in 2009 and became an official Crestron Digital Media Case Study.

Building Management Control

The biggest challenge was not distributing audio and video around the apartment but controlling all the building management systems within it. Our Crestron installation controls every aspect of the environment — underfloor heating, ventilation, swimming pool temperature and the olive grove irrigation system. The client has a 4,000 square foot garden at the very top of the tower, with olive trees craned in during construction. Crestron 6″ touchpanels throughout the apartment allow temperature setpoints to be adjusted room by room with a simple scroll and tap interface.

Multi-Room Audio Video and Lighting

Full audio video distribution throughout the apartment allows centralised Sky HD receivers and a Kaleidescape DVD/Music server to be enjoyed anywhere. The Kaleidescape system stores the client’s DVD and CD collection, allowing several different films or albums to be enjoyed simultaneously in different zones. An FM tuner provides radio throughout, particularly popular in the his-and-hers bathrooms. A full Crestron lighting control system across 60+ channels provides pre-set scenes for any activity — and the client can adjust and save scenes from the touchpanels at any time.

Our Smart Home Services

CCTV and Security Integration

CCTV and security are fully integrated into the Crestron system, allowing the client to view cameras on touchpanels throughout the apartment including the private lift lobby. All cameras record on a rolling basis with easy viewing via the client’s computer. A fully monitored alarm system notifies the apartment concierge and client immediately should an alarm trigger.

An Official Crestron Case Study

This project became an official Crestron Digital Media Case Study — one of a small number of international studies featured on Crestron.com. It is one of the five consecutive Crestron Integration Award wins that earned Custom Controls its unique Dealer of Distinction status in EMEA.

Frequently Asked Questions — Beetham Tower Penthouse

How was an olive grove irrigated at the top of a tower?
The penthouse’s 4,000 square foot rooftop garden — with olive trees craned in during construction — has its irrigation system fully integrated into the Crestron control system, alongside underfloor heating, ventilation and swimming pool temperature, all managed from touchpanels throughout the apartment.

What made this project an official Crestron case study?
Crestron selected this installation as an official Digital Media Case Study, featured on Crestron’s own website, in recognition of the building management integration achieved — uniting audio, video, lighting, climate, irrigation and security control across two full floors at the top of a high-rise tower.

What was Europe’s highest residential living space?
At the time of this installation, the Beetham Tower penthouse — at 168.87m and commanding the top two floors of the tower — was the highest residential living space in Europe.

Project Details

• Location: Beetham Tower Penthouse, Manchester
• Audio zones: 8
• Video zones: 4
• Lighting channels: 60+
• Source: Kaleidescape, Sky HD, FM tuner
• Special features: Swimming pool control, olive grove irrigation, building management integration
• Award: Crestron Integration Award 2009 — Best High Rise Project in Europe

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