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After 15 years of planning, setbacks, redesigns and bold ambition, Gary Neville’s £400 million St Michael’s development has finally come to life: bringing together world-class hospitality, sustainability, and a new era of city-centre living.
The long-awaited project, led by Neville’s Relentless Developments in partnership with KKR, Salboy, and Manchester City Council, is already reshaping Manchester’s skyline, with the opening of Chotto Matte, the city’s new rooftop dining hotspot, marking a major milestone in the journey.
What’s happening at Gary Neville’s St Michael’s Development?
Once a neglected 1.6-acre plot off Jackson’s Row, the St Michael’s site is all set to become a buzzing hub for work, dining, leisure, and even living.
When complete, the two-phase mixed-use development will feature:
No.1 St Michael’s: 200,000 sq ft of office and leisure space, which is now fully pre-let.
No.2 St Michael’s: a 41-storey skyscraper housing the five-star W Hotel and 217 branded W Residences, scheduled to open in early 2027.
Together, they represent the culmination of a vision that Neville describes as his “most challenging and rewarding post-football project.”
“It’s taken passion, persistence and belief,” Neville said. “But this is about raising the bar for Manchester, proving we can be as good as anywhere in the world.”
Early plans and big changes
The St Michael’s vision has changed a lot since Gary Neville first unveiled it in 2016. The original scheme faced strong criticism for its scale and impact on nearby heritage buildings, prompting a major rethink.
Following two public consultations with residents, businesses and city stakeholders, the developers took on board feedback from Historic England, PlacesMatter! and the public. The most significant change was the redesign of the two main towers. Architect Ken Shuttleworth said the façade was “lightened to a softer bronzed aluminium” to better reflect the tones of the surrounding conservation area. The new design also improved connectivity between the lower and upper squares, creating a more inviting and accessible space.
The revised plans included a 201-bed five-star hotel, 159 apartments, 138,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and 49,000 sq ft of retail and leisure, including two sky bars and restaurants. It also introduced three new public spaces close to Manchester Town Hall: St Michael’s Square, The Garden and The Steps.
Crucially, the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub was saved and integrated into the final scheme, helping the development secure planning approval and rebuild public support. The £700 million project is set to create around 500 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent roles once complete.
Gary Neville said the consultation process was key to shaping a development “that responds to the city, respects its heritage and raises the bar for what’s possible in Manchester.”
What’s Chotto Matte at St Michael’s like?
At the very top of No.1 St Michael’s, international dining brand Chotto Matte has opened its largest restaurant to date – a bold Nikkei venue that fuses Japanese precision with Peruvian flair, wrapped in 360° skyline views.
Spanning 20,000 sq ft, this is Chotto Matte’s first foray into the North of England and a major statement of intent for Manchester’s global dining scene.
Inside, guests are greeted by graffiti-inspired art, neon lighting, and an atmosphere that blurs the line between restaurant and club. Local artist Carla Raads created a UV mural in the bathroom, instantly turning it into a must-see photo spot.
The space features a rooftop terrace for 348 guests, complete with a large bar, stage for live acts, and a DJ booth.
Alongside the main restaurant, Chotto Matte introduces Claude’s, a Mexican-inspired Skyview Bar offering mezcals, tequilas, and sharing plates like tostadas and sliders.
Two private dining rooms and a meeting space, including one with direct terrace access, round out the experience.
A new standard for Manchester offices
Below Chotto Matte sits No.1 St Michael’s, Manchester’s newest premium office destination, and it’s already fully let.
The £120 million office block, developed by Relentless Developments and KKR, has attracted major tenants including: Channel 4, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson, Arm, S&P Global, and Gilbanks (flex workspace).
The final 3,000 sq ft food and beverage unit has just been let to a London-based cocktail and coffee operator, believed to be Grind, marking another Northern debut.
St Michael’s Development launch, Manchester. credit: leeboswellphotography.com
Neville said the response from tenants exceeded expectations:
“It was a huge leap of faith to speculatively build over 200,000 sq ft, but we believed in our ambition. We spent a great deal of time understanding what modern occupiers want, and ensuring world-class sustainability and amenities.”
No.1 St Michael’s is also set to become Manchester’s first fully Net Zero Carbon commercial development, both in construction and operation, setting a new benchmark for ESG-led building design in the UK.
What’s still left to be built at St Michael’s?
Phase two of St Michael’s will see the arrival of its most ambitious element yet: a striking 41-storey tower that’s set to redefine luxury in Manchester.
This final stage of the project will bring a five-star hotel, premium residences and next-generation workspace to the heart of the city. It marks the moment the development shifts from a major commercial hub to a world-class lifestyle destination.
Construction is already underway, led by Domis, with completion expected in early 2027.
This next phase sets the stage for the arrival of one of the world’s most recognisable hotel brands – a bold new addition that will make St Michael’s unlike anything else in the North of England.
“There’s no better home for the W Hotel in the North of England than Manchester,” said Neville. “It’s a bold city, full of originality and passion – the same qualities that define the W brand.”
Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy Group, added: “W Residences Manchester will offer a level of service and lifestyle unlike anything currently in the city. This will be a living, breathing community, always alive with art, music and culture.”
The tower’s construction, led by Domis, is already underway and due for completion in early 2027.
W Hotel and Residences: A bold new chapter
Gary Neville has unveiled fresh details and images of the W Hotel and W Residences at St Michael’s, a landmark moment for Manchester’s luxury hospitality scene.
The 41-storey tower will be home to a 162-room five-star W Hotel, operated by Marriott International, and 217 W Residences. It’s set to open in the first quarter of 2027, with an exact date still to come.
“There is no better home for the W Hotel in the North of England than Manchester,” said Neville. “This is a bold city that continues to defy expectations and embodies the same values of originality and passion that define W.”
The hotel will feature signature spaces including the W Lounge, AWAY Spa, FIT fitness centre, WET Deck pool and the W Living Room. Known for its distinctive design and ‘always-on’ energy, W will bring a new style of lifestyle hospitality to the city.
Next door, W Residences will offer hotel-inspired living in 217 luxury apartments, giving residents exclusive access to hotel amenities, concierge service and world-class interiors. It will be the first W Residences outside London and one of only 20 worldwide.
No.2 St Michael’s will also include 75,000 sq ft of Net Zero Carbon commercial space, underlining the project’s strong sustainability ambitions. Law firms Pinsent Masons and Hill Dickinson have already signed up, alongside Chotto Matte, which has opened at No.1.
Simon Ismail, co-founder and managing director of Salboy Group, said: “W Residences Manchester will offer a level of service unlike anything else in the city. Something will always be happening, whether it’s art pop-ups or music experiences, right here in this super prime Manchester location.”
This project also marks the latest move in Neville’s growing hospitality portfolio, which includes Hotel Football and the Stock Exchange Hotel.
Who designed St Michael’s?
Designed by Hodder + Partners in collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the architecture of St Michael’s seamlessly merges modern ambition with heritage preservation.
The development preserves and integrates the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, one of Manchester’s most storied watering holes, within a newly landscaped public square, maintaining its cultural significance.
Aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding rating, St Michael’s is on track to become a Net Zero Carbon beacon for future urban developments.
Nicky Barker, Head of Asset Management at KKR Europe Real Estate, said: “Today’s occupiers demand world-class sustainability, distinctive amenities, and a prime location, all of which St Michael’s delivers. It’s setting a new benchmark for Manchester’s real estate market.”
St. Michael’s – a huge statement for Manchester’s skyline
For Neville, St Michael’s isn’t just a property venture: it’s a statement about Manchester’s identity and resilience. “A development like this takes people with a real passion for Manchester,” he told I Love MCR.
“We’ve faced challenges, but this project is about raising standards – in design, sustainability, hospitality and community impact.”
The development is projected to create over 2,500 jobs and inject significant economic growth into the city centre, while also contributing to affordable housing initiatives across Greater Manchester.
The future of Manchester luxury
From Chotto Matte’s electric rooftop dining to the arrival of W Hotel and Residences, St Michael’s represents a new chapter for Manchester: one where heritage meets innovation, and global ambition meets Northern character.
Once a derelict corner of the city, it now stands as a living symbol of Manchester’s evolution, bold, creative, and relentlessly forward-looking.
“We can be as good as anywhere, and better too,” Neville said. “This is just the beginning.”
Find out more about St Michael’s and what’s still to come here
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