The delivery of No1 St Michael’s has been a major catalyst for economic vibrancy and inward investment in Manchester city centre, leading to an Impact Award for Commercial Development of the Year in the North West awarded by an independent panel of judges.
The £400 million landmark scheme launched after 15 years of planning, transforming an underused block into a major business and leisure destination. The project has already brought £120 million of direct investment and is expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs, according to its website.
The development was delivered by a joint venture between Relentless Developments and global investor KKR, securing one of the most significant international capital commitments to Manchester in a decade.
About the project: The 221,973-square-foot No1 St Michael’s achieved full occupation prior to completion and lifted Manchester's headline office rents three times.
The tenant roster includes Channel 4, Arm, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson, Gilbanks and S&P Global.
It has also livened up the area around Jackson’s Row through new public realm, and food and beverage, as well as bringing major corporate occupiers. Three restaurant and café brands opened their first UK venues outside London: ChottoMatte, CircoloPopolare (from the Big Mamma Group) and Grind.
The building served as phase one of a two‑phase masterplan, with hotel, residential and cultural uses coming in No2 St Michael’s, including a 162‑bed W Hotel and 217 branded residences.
The development is also expected to be Manchester’s first fully net zero carbon commercial development in operation and delivery. Its other accolades include BREEAM Outstanding, WELL-enabled design, EPC A, NABERS 5 stars (tracking 5.5 stars), and WiredScore Platinum.
What the judges said: Alex Russell, chief executive, from Property Alliance Group said the decision was a difficult one: "Close to choose between St Michael's and [Indurent's] Omega [warehouse] but ultimately St Michael's gets the reward for taking a risk and has set a new benchmark for the North West in terms of quality and rent."
Geoff Willis, the head of regeneration at Liverpool City Council, added: "The office market is the most difficult market to be effective in due to challenges in both the investment and occupier sector. St Michael's has overcome the headwinds and has from a design, quality and occupational perspective moved the bar upwards. It also shows the importance of public/private sector partnership – which in [this] case has extended itself over many years."
Andrew Dickman, the chairman of Tritax Big Box Development, said the development "creates a new destination in the city centre and moves the standard for city centre offices, whilst attracting and securing major brand name occupiers".
They made it happen: Gary Neville, owner, Relentless Development and Anthony Kilbride, chief executive, Relentless.