TRAFFORD’S first ever high-rise building is celebrating half a century as the borough’s tallest tower block.

Home to hundreds of people, Stretford House was the tallest tower block in Greater Manchester when it was built in 1968. Owned by Trafford Housing Trust, Streford House stands 250ft tall, with 23 floors and 132 flats. Its reputation as a focal point for the community has seen it come to be affectionately nicknamed the ‘street in the sky’.

The high-rise has since been dwarfed by much taller towers in Manchester and Salford, but in the late 60s and early 70s, Stretford House dominated the Trafford skyline. There are now more than 20 residential towers over 80m planned or under construction in Greater Manchester.

Matthew Gardiner, CEO of Trafford Housing Trust, said: “We’re immensely proud that Stretford House has reached this incredible milestone. Over its impressive lifespan, Stretford House has served as a focal point for the local Trafford community.

“Whilst Manchester’s skyline has come to be more and more dominated by high rise towers, it’s easy to forget the transformative impact that buildings like Stretford House have had on life in the city.”

Councillor Tom Ross, Mayor of Trafford added:"As Mayor of Trafford and one of the local councillors for Stretford, I’m both delighted and proud to be part of the celebration of Stretford House’s first fifty years.

"It is one of Trafford’s landmark buildings and a popular place to live- long may it continue to be so!"

Residents celebrated the 50th anniversary with a special tea party on the 23rd floor and shared their memories of living in ‘the street in the sky’.

Built on the site of a former cattle farm, Stretford House came to be a centre of development in the area with better transport links, a new dual carriageway and Stretford Mall being built around it.

Jan Howell of the Stretford House Residents’ Association said: “I’ve lived in Stretford House for 33 years as a tenant and I don’t find myself wanting to live anywhere else. The views from Stretford House are spectacular and forever changing throughout the seasons.

“It has a wonderful and diverse community. I call it a “Street in the Sky.”

Mrs Howell is not the only long-term resident of Stretford House. She is joined by fellow residents Wendy Eachus, aged 62, and David and Wendy Johnson (aged 85 and 74), as the tenants who have made the tower their home since the 70s.

Between the three of them, they have lived in the 'street in the sky' for a combined total of 138 years.

Drinking tea on the top floor, they celebrated the building's birthday by sharing stories about how the building and the area has changed over the years.

Mrs Eachus moved into Stretford House shortly after it was built and has remained ever since.

She said: “I moved into Stretford House with my brother when we were little. Moving in was exciting. Friends and family would come and visit from all over because the building was a novelty and the first of its kind.

"We used to watch it being built on the way to school, not knowing one day we’d be coming to live here. Everyone who comes to visit, such as doctors, nurses and repairmen, they all comment on the wonderful views. You can see the whole of Manchester and into Cheshire from up here.

“It’s a very friendly place to live and people who are feeling lonely just go and sit at the bottom to have a chat to somebody, especially if they can’t walk very far.

"There’s also a community lounge on the top floor which is always busy with activities and people socialising. I even had my 60th birthday party in there two years ago.

“Living here feels very safe. If there are any issues, our Housing Officer is just a phone call away and the residents feel like their needs are listened to by Trafford Housing Trust. The building is always clean too. We’ve had some good caretakers over the years and you get to know them on a first name basis.

“Stretford itself has changed quite a lot since I moved in, including bigger and better roads and shops, which means it’s busier and a more popular area.”

Mr and Mrs Johnson moved into Streford House from Hale after deciding to downsize from a three-bedroom terraced house to a two-bedroom flat.

Mr Johnson said: "Our local MP at the time, Roy Godwin, recommended Stretford house and organised a viewing for us. The flat was spotless. We were only meant to stay for two weeks, but we liked it so much we’ve been here 44 years.

“The best thing about living here is the convenient location with marvellous transport links including Metrolink, buses and motorway, and it’s close to the Trafford Centre."

Mrs Johnson added: "There’s a friendly community feel, as soon as you walk out the door you’re chatting to somebody and there are always things going on in the function room every week such as arts and crafts, exercise classes and games organised by the Residents Committee. Two of the residents look after the garden and the flowers around the building too.

“We’re very happy living here. Any issues over the years, such as pets or noise have been quickly dealt with by Trafford Housing Trust.”