Manchester United legends unveil first snaps of 700,000 sq ft city centre scheme

The first images of a scheme in the centre of Manchester that will create over 1,300 jobs when it launches have been unveiled.

The 700,000 sq ft St. Michael’s development is being driven forward in part by Jackson’s Row Developments Limited, a property company formed by United legends Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs along with entrepreneur Brendan Flood.

Designed by Make Architects, the project will create 153 apartments, a 200-bed hotel and 135,000 sq ft of Grade A office space across two tower buildings – the 31-storey Number One St. Michael’s, which will house the hotel and homes, and the 21-storey office block Number Two St. Michael’s.

St. Michael’s will also include a synagogue and 30,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space incorporating two new restaurants.

Elsewhere, the development will deliver new public spaces designed by Landscape Architects Planit-IE. The lower square, to be known as St. Michael’s Square, will provide up to 14,000 sq ft of public realm and alfresco eating and drinking space, while the upper square, called The Garden, will create 11,000 sq ft of public space with room for alfresco restaurants.

The scheme is the brainchild of St. Michael’s Partnership, a global consortium comprising Beijing Construction and Engineering Group International (BCEGI), Singapore’s Rowsley Ltd and Jackson’s Row Developments Limited. Manchester-based Zerum Consult has been brought on board as development manager and planning consultant.

Jackson’s Row Developments Limited director Gary Neville said: “Our vision is to deliver the biggest statement in architecture and development that Manchester has seen in modern times.

“Our wish is for St. Michael’s to become the premier destination in the city that people come to enjoy all year round.”

He continued: “Through the provision of three stunning new public spaces, St. Michael’s Square, The Steps and The Garden, we’re committed to bringing back to life such a key, underused area of the city, which connects Albert Square and St. Peter’s Square through to Deansgate and onto Spinningfields.”

The managing director for real estate at Rowsley Ltd, Ho Kiam Kheong, commented: “The focus for the St. Michael’s development is to provide world class accommodation and a high quality public realm for those working, living and visiting Manchester.

“Today marks a milestone for the team behind this development as it is the first time we are making the plans available for public view and releasing an early set of images to showcase our vision.”

BCEGI’s lead director, Yew Cheong Lau, said: “Our priority as an investor and contractor is to show continued commitment to this thriving city and our involvement in St. Michael’s is a testament to this.

“We’re delighted to be able to reveal the scheme for the first time to the public and look forward to the next stage in this process.”

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese believes St. Michael’s represents “another significant vote of confidence” in the city and underlines Manchester’s continuing growth momentum.

He said: “It is particularly welcome at a time when, nationally, there is an uncertain climate.

“The development of St Michael’s will complement the substantial investment which is taking place in other parts of the city’s civic quarter and help bring an underused part of the city centre back to life. Significantly, it will create a large number of jobs as well as another vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood.”

Discussing the scheme’s designs, Make Architects founder Ken Shuttleworth explained how the towers’ appearance will alter when viewed from different parts of the city, adding: “We have designed two slender, elegant towers for the site, which sit very much as a pair using the same sleek black aluminium cladding, yet with differing heights and arched crowns.

“Together they provide a dynamic addition to the skyline that will position the scheme in Manchester both physically and within the marketplace.”

The Manchester office of real estate advisory firm Colliers International is advising the St Michael’s Partnership on the scheme.