With plans set to include an all-season urban beach, the world’s first living waterslides and an on-site farm, Therme Manchester is unsurprisingly one of the region’s most talked-about openings.
Projected to span 28 acres around the former EventCity site adjacent to the Trafford Palazzo shopping area, the team behind the project have already shared a series of exciting CGI renders of what the enormous space could look like.
Where is the project up to?
Back in September, new design plans for Therme Manchester received approval from Trafford Council’s planning committee.
The updated scheme features a pavilion-style concept ‘immersed and enveloped in a natural landscape.’
The decision coincided with the appointment of Professor David Russell as the first UK-based CEO of Therme UK.
With 30 years of experience in delivering large-scale projects, Professor Russell has been involved in major ventures around the world including the London 2012 Summer Olympics, The Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019 and the $8 billion Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Speaking about the approval of the planning permission, Russell said: “Therme Manchester will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort. Our ambition is to make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives whilst creating a new wave in urban living.”
James Whittaker, Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P said: “After five years working in partnership with Therme, we are delighted to hear planning permission has been approved for this incredible, high-quality health and wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with the whole of the Therme team to deliver something truly unique and iconic in the UK, that is not only world-leading for health and wellbeing, but will also create a significant number of new jobs and have a huge positive economic impact for North West England.”
What can visitors expect?
Therme Manchester attractions include large family and adults-only zones with swimming pools, slides, warm water lagoons, multi-sensorial saunas and a year-round urban beach.
There will also be water-based fitness classes, evidence-based wellness therapies, botanical gardens, immersive art, urban farms and educational activities to create an ‘integrated wellbeing concept for all ages.’
The resort is forecast to contribute over £4.5 billion to the UK economy, according to an independent PwC study, with most of the positive impact in the Greater Manchester area.
Therme Manchester follows the company’s flagship wellness park in Bucharest, although the new Trafford development is set to be double the size.
You can keep up to date with Therme’s progress on the group’s website here.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Mon 18 Sep 2023
