Gary Neville's huge city centre development is one of the most hotly-anticipated - at at times, controversial - in Manchester in years. The former Manchester United star has been involved in plans for the mammoth St Michael's project, off Deansgate, for more than a decade.
It's been dubbed by the city's council leader a 'defining regeneration project for our city centre', with hundreds of new homes, a five-star hotel, a public square, offices and a roof-top restaurant on the way.
The £400m St Michael's scheme, bosses say, is expected to bring £120m investment to Manchester and create more than 3,000 jobs. More details have now been revealed by Neville's firm Relentless Developments and stakeholders KKR, Fred Done's Salboy and Manchester council.
The £150m phase one - No 1 St Michael's - will see nine floors of office space built. Global restaurant brand Chotto Matte will occupy the rooftop, with two food and drink outlets on the ground floor. Chottom Matte restaurants, bosses say are 'set in stylish and contemporary architectural spaces, in the world's most inspirational cities'.
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Offering guests the chance to experience 'the best of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine in an electric atmosphere', there are currently five locations - in Soho and Marylebone in London; Miami; Toronto; and Doha. Further branches are set to open in San Francisco and Los Angeles soon.
The £250m phase two - No 2 St Michael's - will see a 41-storey tower built. It will be home to a 162-bed, five-star hotel. There will also be 217 apartments and 75,000 sq ft of office space.
The development will also have a public square. The historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub will be kept after being refurbed. There were originally plans to bulldoze the boozer, but following a public outcry, bosses did a U-turn.
No 1 St Michael's is expected to be the first 'fully net-zero carbon commercial development' in Manchester. The whole scheme has been designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hodder & Partners.
It's now been confirmed that international law firms Pinsent Masons and Hill Dickinson have signed 'record-breaking' deals to take up 26,842 sq ft and 18,192 sq ft respectively at No 1 St Michael's.
Construction of the 41-storey tower is set to start in the coming weeks.
Relentless also said it is in the final stages of signing a deal with an 'upscale global hotel operator' for the tower, which will be announced in the autumn. Apartment sales will also start after the summer as part of the joint venture between Relentless and property developer, Salboy.
Bowmer and Kirkland started work on No 1 St Michael's in January 2022. It should be finished by 2024.
Salboy' exclusive build partner Domis is set to break ground on No 2 in the coming weeks. The whole project is due to finish in early 2027.
Phase one is a joint venture between Relentless Developments and global investment firm KKRm, while phase two is a joint venture between Relentless and Salboy.
Neville, director at Relentless Developments, said: "This is an extraordinary scheme that has been no less than 15 years in the making and we believe it to be the most sustainable commercial space in the city.
"I'd like to thank all our partners who have been with me on this journey and remained committed to the vision to transform this pivotal area of the city into a global landmark.
"We’ve worked so hard to create a development that is distinctive in both its imaginative design and heritage as well as its location connecting the city’s business district with the historic civic quarter.
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"Signing a deal with two of the world’s most reputable law firms and setting a new headline rent as we launch is testament to that.
"Progress is now beginning to accelerate as we approach the latter stages of No.1 and we set our sights on the world-class leisure and residential elements that will be delivered for No 2."
Relentless Developments is a property development company led by Anthony Kilbride and Gary Neville. Projects elsewhere include Hotel Football in Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in the city centre.
Simon Ismail, co-founder of Salboy, added: "Salboy and Relentless share a passion for delivering this new world-class development in the centre of Manchester. We are really looking forward to delivering No.2 St Michael’s, with the help of all of our dedicated partners.
"When complete, this long-awaited development will raise the bar for the city’s residential, hospitality, workspace and leisure offerings."
Salboy was co-founded by Fred Done, who helped establish Betfred with his brother. Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester council, said: "St Michael's will be a defining regeneration project for our city centre.
"Following a long road to bring this challenging, long underused site forward, it's a welcome milestone that construction will start over the summer on a new icon of our city’s skyline – and the latest destination neighbourhood for Manchester – supporting the city’s growth and creating employment opportunities."
St Michael’s borders Southmill Street, Bootle Street and Jackson’s Row in Manchester city centre. It is fronted by the former police station which was once home to Manchester police headquarters.
Neil Black, Manchester office head at Pinsent Masons, added: "Manchester is an important market for legal and professional services serving as a hub for investment and development across the North West region.
"As a multinational business collaborating with a range of domestic and global clients, it’s exciting to see the region thrive as a leading UK business centre.
"Our move into St Michael’s signals an important era for us as we continue to develop and invest in our people, clients and communities across the region."
Keith Feeny, director of IT and operations at Hill Dickinson, said: "We are delighted to be among the first commercial tenants to sign up to phase one of this remarkable new development.
"Our decision to invest in St Michael’s represents our commitment to the continued growth of Hill Dickinson, our commitment to the wider cultural investment in Manchester as a city and a real desire to improve the sustainability of our operations. We believe this project will help us deliver on all three."
Paul Sykes, Bowmer + Kirkland regional director, added: "Our Bowmer + Kirkland team is proud to have been appointed to deliver the first phase of this landmark development which involves refurbishing the former Greater Manchester Police HQ and new-build 11-storey world-class, sustainable offices."
Nicky Barker, managing director and head of asset management at KKR Europe Real Estate, said: "We are delighted to reach this important milestone and look forward to realising the vision for the exceptional regeneration project in the heart of Manchester alongside our partner, Relentless.
"We’re proud that the St. Michael’s project is being developed with the aim of achieving net zero carbon in construction and operation and targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating."
