Where 1820’s heritage meets 43 storeys of live-fire dining and sky-high luxury.
by Tyler Jadine • 11 November 26
Manchester’s skyline is undergoing a significant structural evolution, anchored by the rapid ascent of Phase Two at the £400m St Michael’s regeneration zone. As the 43-storey skyscraper advances past its final structural milestones toward a winter topping-out sequence, the operational blueprints for its extensive 12,600 sq ft hospitality footprint have been finalised.
Independent operator Pasture Restaurant Group, led by chef-owner Sam Elliott, has signed a landmark lease to deploy a sophisticated, four-venue culinary network within the tower. The rollout represents a complex spatial integration of live-fire commercial kitchens, high-altitude hotel lounges, and a fiercely protected piece of Manchester’s nineteenth-century industrial heritage.
For architects, surveyors, and property professionals, No.2 St Michael’s stands as a compelling case study in high-density urban design, heritage asset protection, and mixed-use structural engineering.
The Project Directory: Ownership, Design & Delivery
The realisation of No.2 St Michael’s relies on a powerful consortium of regional developers, global design practices, and specialised tier-one contractors:
The Joint Venture Developers: The development is driven by a 50/50 joint venture partnership between Relentless Developments, led by Director Gary Neville and Chief Executive Anthony Kilbride, and Salboy Group, co-founded by Simon Ismail and Fred Done. The overarching scheme is underpinned by significant private development finance from the Fred Done Property Trading Group, working in strategic alignment with landowner Manchester City Council.
Architectural Masterminds: The architectural language and massing of the tower are directed by principal regional practice Hodder + Partners, who re-envisioned the masterplan layout. They are supported by global skyscraper icons Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), renowned for orchestrating the structural design of the Burj Khalifa and the international W Hotel portfolio.
Interior Architecture: High-end boutique design studio Bowler James Brindley (BJB) is spearheading the comprehensive internal layouts, spatial aesthetics, and specification packages for the hotel tiers and private residences.
Construction & Engineering Team: Main contractor Domis Construction is directing the physical assembly and site logistics. The complex foundation design, basement structural impact assessments, and core rationalisation are engineered by Renaissance, with specialized fire engineering design services managed by Design Fire Consultants (DFC). Project management and development consultancy are overseen by Artal and Zerum, with civil groundworks executed by Mayo Civils and the unitized facade assemblies delivered by SolTech Façades.
Site Status & Construction Milestones (Late 2026)
The 43-storey tower is maintaining a rigorous construction timeline, with real-time site data confirming key structural thresholds:
Core Assembly: The reinforced concrete frame and floor plates have officially advanced to Level 42, placing the building just one floor plate shy of its final structural topping out.
Facade Envelope: The installation of high-performance glass cladding panels and vertical anodised bronze fins is climbing rapidly, tracking structural completion up past Level 27.
Internal Fit-Out Matrix: Behind the unitized facade, mechanical and electrical engineering sub-contractors are executing concurrent fit-outs. Internal partition steel framing is live at Level 26, while “second-fix” plumbing, containment, and wiring configurations are advancing down through Level 20. Full distribution system testing is already operational on Level 18.
Plant & Core Systems: Primary plant decks, mechanical infrastructure installations, and high-load commissioning are progressing across the dedicated hotel floors and the central plant deck infrastructure localised at Level 7.
The Four Hospitality Anchors: Spatial & Operational Layout
Pasture Manchester: The Live-Fire Flagship(GROUND FLOOR BASE)
Operating as the commercial anchor at the base of the tower, this premium, high-volume steakhouse is engineered around live-fire theatre. The layout integrates custom-built open charcoal grills and cherry-wood firing hearths, requiring highly specialised, high-velocity extraction and HVAC ventilation pathways. The venue features an integrated, climate-controlled internal butchery suite allowing the culinary team to dry-age and cut pasture-raised beef to precise specifications on-site.
W Lounge: Cocktail Culture in the Clouds (MID-TOWER HOSPITALITY LAYER)
Positioned within the upper hotel tiers, the W Lounge serves as the primary social and architectural nexus for Marriott International’s upcoming 162-room luxury W Hotel Manchester. It will also service the 217 upscale W Residences occupying the tower’s upper levels. The design utilises floor-to-ceiling structural glazing to optimise panoramic views across Albert Square, pairing high-end interior architecture with acoustic dampening and flexible nocturnal lounge layouts.
The Abercromby: A Heritage Pub Restored
In a sophisticated masterclass of heritage asset retention, the development features a complete, sensitive structural restoration of the historic 1820s Bootle Street pub (formerly the Sir Ralph Abercromby). Rather than separating old and new, Hodder + Partners’ layout links the rear facade of the traditional red-brick tavern directly into the modern skyscraper lobby via a striking, double-height glazed gallery courtyard. This merges protected architecture with a highly polished, contemporary commercial entrance.
Terrace: URBAN REALM OASIS
Flanking the perimeter of the restored pub, this dedicated outdoor terrace is designed to seamlessly activate the development’s public realm. Programmed to transition from morning corporate breakout spaces to an evening Mediterranean-inspired outdoor dining venue, it utilises heavy hardscaping, urban greening, and perimeter heating to provide an all-weather open-air option right off the commercial office floor plates.
The Powerhouses Behind the Skyscraper
The physical 43-storey structure is a powerhouse collaboration between Neville’s Relentless Developments and prominent North West builder Salboy Group (co-founded by Simon Ismail and Fred Done), with construction delivery managed by Domis Construction.
Architecturally, the soaring glass-and-anodised-fin aesthetic is being brought to life by Hodder + Partners alongside global icons Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), while the interior layouts are being styled by Bowler James Brindley.
Delivery Timeline
While the tier-one construction team prepares for full structural shell completion ahead of the winter holiday break, the building will transition into an intensive, synchronised internal fit-out phase throughout 2027. The coordinated final launch sequence for the corporate offices, luxury hotel rooms, private residences, and Pasture’s four culinary venues is officially scheduled for late 2027.
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