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Forget new year, new you, more like new year, new town! Manchester and its neighbouring boroughs are gradually getting a new lease of life as building developments take shape, whether it be sparkly new skyscrapers or expanding or sprucing up key landmarks. Ranging from towers complete with state-of-the-art facilities to projects that see an entire town centre revitalised, we’ve rounded up some of the big developments happening in Greater Manchester in 2026 that are expected to change the region significantly and are definitely worth keeping your eyes out for.
Developments in Greater Manchester set to be completed in 2026 1. Etihad Stadium 
Credit: Manchester City
The home of Manchester City FC, the Etihad Stadium, is currently undergoing an expansion of its North Stand, which would see the stadium capacity increase to over 60,000, plus it will also feature a sky bar in the upper tier offering views overlooking the pitch and a stadium roof walk experience. In addition, there are plans for a covered City Square fan zone, with a capacity of 3,000 and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, new club shop, museum and 400-bed hotel, have all been proposed. Modest workspace has also been included for use by start-up and medium-sized organisations looking to co-locate and collaborate with the Club, City Football Group and Etihad Campus partners. The aim is for the North Stand to be complete and open during the 2025/26 football season, with the hotel, workspace and public realm works, including City Square, subsequently complete by late 2026.
2. Castlefield Viaduct Phase 2 
Credit: Twelve Architects
In 2023, plans were revealed for the future of Castlefield Viaduct, which could see an extension to the Victorian structure, and in 2025, a significant proportion of the funding needed for the next phase of the project was secured. The National Trust has a long-term future vision for the Castlefield Viaduct ‘sky park’ in Manchester, with plans including several entry and exit points to the viaduct and a walkway giving access towards Salford and Trafford. This could increase the scale of the viaduct experience for visitors from 150 metres to the full 330 metre length of the structure. Currently, visitors walk through a series of spaces and gardens before coming to an untouched section of the viaduct beyond a glass wall. It’s this untouched section which the Trust and its partners are turning their attention to next, with a projected opening date of summer 2026.
3. Oldham Coliseum 
Credit: Oldham Coliseum Theatre
In contrast to the new developments happening in Greater Manchester, Oldham Coliseum, is expected to get a new lease of life, reopening in 2026. In 2024, Oldham Coliseum was saved from closure, with the local council revealing it would reopen in time for the 2025 pantomime season – however, since then, the date has been pushed back into 2026. The renowned theatre, which has helped launch the careers of many Northern stars such as Suranne Jones, Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake, was forced to close in March 2023 after Arts Council England withdrew a £1.8 million grant from the theatre following a nationwide review.
4. Weir Mill 
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One Greater Manchester area that is certainly getting some attention is Stockport, and there are more developments on the horizon in 2026 for the town, one of which is Weir Mill. Set to be the town’s newest hot spot for local foodies and revellers, Weir Mill is set against the backdrop of Stockport’s iconic railway viaduct. The new public square at Weir Mill, dubbed Weaver’s Square, will soon become the go-to venue for live music, street food pop-ups, parties and al fresco eats under the arches.
5. Fettlers Market Hall 
Credit: Wigan Council
Wigan isn’t overly known as up-and-coming in the grand scheme of Greater Manchester, but it has a fair few developments going on, including new market hall, Fettlers. The bright, colourful and exciting space, will feature traditional market traders, alongside offerings like a bakery, coffee shop, bars, and a food hall. The new Fettlers market hall is expected to be built and open late next year, and the existing Wigan market hall will remain open until the new building is ready for occupation.
6. Embassy Village 
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Embassy Village is one of the most talked about Greater Manchester developments due to its one-of-a-kind purpose – to help offer shelter to Manchester city region’s homeless and vulnerable men. Construction on Embassy Village is already underway but once complete, it will transform the site below 22 railway arches in Manchester on land which has been provided by Peel Waters. Located adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal and River Irwell, Embassy Village will create a community of 40 new homes with wrap-around support for those who need it most. With completion expected for early 2026, Embassy Village will feature high-quality homes, a village hall and outdoor green spaces, including mini allotments to grow vegetables and a multi-use sports area to enrich residents’ lives and aid in their progress.
Developments in Greater Manchester with work being carried out or expected to start in 2026 7. Scout Moor II wind farm 
Credit: Cubico Sustainable Investments
Cubico Sustainable Investments has announced plans for Scout Moor II, a landmark 100 MW onshore wind farm set to become the largest in England. Located next to the existing Scout Moor wind farm between Edenfield, Rawtenstall, and Rochdale, north of Manchester, this project marks the first major onshore wind development in England in over a decade. Subject to planning permission, Scout Moor II could be operational before 2030, generating enough clean electricity to power over 100,000 homes and meet around 10% of Greater Manchester’s domestic energy needs.
8. LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme 
Credit: Manchester City Council
Approved in 2024, Great Places Housing Group’s plan to create the UK’s first purpose-built and co-produced majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme, which is set to be built in Whalley Range, south Manchester. The development is planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, which was demolished in 2019 and the brownfield site has since remained vacant. The planned scheme will deliver 80 one and two bedroom social rented apartments for members of the LGBTQ+ community aged 55 years or over in a brick building of four to five storeys. The low-carbon scheme will include shared facilities, lounges and treatment rooms and landscaped gardens.
9. Planet Ice TraffordCity 
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Manchester’s TraffordCity is set to welcome a brand new ice arena featuring a state-of-the-art ice rink. Situated next to the Chill Factore and iFLY, the three-acre development will be located on the former Soccer Dome site, which was cleared by Peel Waters in 2023 in preparation for future leisure developments, and plans were submitted to the local council in summer 2025. The TraffordCity ice arena will be the biggest Planet Ice venue in the UK and their 15th Ice Arena in the country. As well as being home to a massive ice rink, the purpose-built facility will also convert into a multi-use event space, according to developers. The estimated build time of the TraffordCity ice-arena and event space will be approximately 12-15 months once construction starts on site.
10. Wythenshawe Town Centre 
Credit: Muse
Three separate planning applications for 422 new affordable homes to be built on three different locations within Wythenshawe town centre, all of which will be available for social rent, were submitted in late 2025. The plans represent the first phase of housing within the £500 million Wythenshawe town centre masterplan, which will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and places to work and socialise. This first phase of new homes will complement the wider investment currently underway in Civic, which includes demolishing the former Peacocks unit to begin works on the new food hall and workspaces, preparatory works for the new Culture Hub, as well as improvements to the outdoor spaces in Civic, which will start in early 2026. All of the new spaces at Civic will open in 2027.
11. Therme Manchester 
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The construction phase of the UK’s largest wellbeing resort, Therme Manchester, is now underway following a groundbreaking event in September 2025. Therme Manchester will combine the largest thermal pool complex in Europe under one roof, indoor and outdoor, botanical gardens, and immersive art, creating an environment focused on wellbeing. There will also be more than 25 water slides, the largest sauna area in the UK, multiple steam rooms, and a wave pool for children and families. Therme Manchester will also be home to its very own ‘urban beach’, too, where guests will be able to kick back and relax. Completion of the £450 million project is scheduled for the end of 2028.
12. Prestwich Village 
Credit: Muse
Plans to transform the centre of Prestwich Village into a thriving heart of the community were approved by Bury Council back in summer 2024. Prestwich Regeneration LLP – the joint venture between nationwide placemaker Muse and Bury Council – lodged a planning application for the regeneration of the Longfield Centre site, which features a new market hall (including food hall) and village square. The £100m+ project aims to transform the Longfield Centre with the regeneration plans set to include a new community hub building, including a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture. The building will also offer an opportunity to deliver a new Prestwich Health Centre, with discussions ongoing with the NHS and local GP practices. The Travel Hub will be finished first, with a completion date of July 2026.
13. Nobu Manchester 
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Of all the developments in Greater Manchester, this one is definitely a grower and alas, and will not be completed in 2026, but rather in 2031, nonetheless, it is still worth looking forward to. Standing at 246 metres, the tower is set to transform the fast-evolving Manchester skyline and become the city’s tallest skyscraper and the highest tower outside of London. The 76-storey tower will be home to a signature Nobu restaurant (Nobu Manchester), a 160-room luxury hotel (Nobu Hotel Manchester), and 452 branded Nobu residences (Nobu Residences Manchester). A groundbreaking event took place in November 2025, which co-owner Robert De Niro attended, and enabling works have started on site with intentions to start construction in 2026. Salboy expects to launch sales for Nobu Residences Manchester by Q2 2026.