Scheme will be centred on retrofit of listed Art Deco department store in city centre

Relentless Developments has announced its plans for a mixed-use neighbourhood in central Manchester.

Kendals District Visualisation_Relentless Developments

Source: Relentless

An early illustration of the potential development area

Anthony Kilbride, Relentless chief executive, announced the multi-stakeholder plans for the development of six sites in an area it calls the Kendals District, of which five will be led by his company.

Kendals District will be centred on the retrofit of the Kendal Milne building on Deansgate to create 230,000sq ft of office space, alongside food and beverage and retail space.

The Kendal Milne building is a grade-II listed Art Deco department store building in the centre of Manchester. It is the city’s largest department store and is currently home to House of Fraser.

Relentless had previously been reported to be working on the redevelopment of the building, but had not announced its plan for the comprehensive redevelopment of the wider area.

The Manchester developer, which is owned by former Manchester United and England international footballer Gary Neville, is partnering with Investec on the scheme, which is also being supported by £44m from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Good Growth Fund.

The wider scheme will also include hospitality and leisure facilities, with a luxury hotel and branded residences, set within a new public realm and cultural space. 

shutterstock_1326798170

Source: Shutterstock

The House of Fraser building in the centre of Manchester

Speaking at the MIPIM real estate convention this morning, Kilbride said: “Kendals is a complex heritage retrofit that has demanded real conviction, not just in the building itself, but in the wider vision for this part of the city.

“As one of Manchester’s most recognisable landmarks, this high-impact site is perfectly positioned to anchor district-scale regeneration and act as a true gateway to a new neighbourhood.

“What we are bringing forward with the Kendals District is not piecemeal development; it is a coherent, carefully planned quarter that brings together workspace, hospitality, culture and public realm in a way that creates long-term value for the city.”