If you’ve driven past Trafford City lately, you may have noticed the skyline changing. Construction of Therme Manchester has reached the stage where the foundations of its three core areas are visible on the 28-acre site, and new CGI images show how the finished resort will look.
This August, the first of 12 tower cranes were erected on site, marking the start of a new phase of construction for Therme Manchester. Next week, work begins on the first main pool in the northern area of Relax, which will take about eight weeks. During that time, crews will install the pool water filtration system and build it into the concrete pool base pour.
What’s planned for the resort
The Therme Manchester resort will cover 680,000 sq ft, with three zones:
Play is for water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages. Restore focuses on thermal bathing and restorative experiences. Relax offers spaces to unwind, with water, warmth and nature.
Overall, the plans include 10 pools, 18 water slides (including exhilarating outdoor ones) and 20 saunas and steam rooms, plus a 53,000 sq ft wellbeing garden and extensive indoor and outdoor green spaces. A new public plaza is designed to link the resort with the Bridgewater Canal.
Design changes to Therme Manchester
The appointment of contractors Sir Robert McAlpine has brought updates aimed at construction efficiency, the visitor experience and links with public transport, including the Metrolink. The two proposed multi-storey car parks have been removed, which opens up views across the site.
Parking is now spread around the resort, with roughly 1,400 spaces. Changes to the entrance and the internal and external spaces also aim to support efficiency and manage energy use.
Therme has recently submitted a minor Section 73 planning application covering these changes, including the parking arrangements. The overall scale of the £500m project stays the same following the size reduction in 2024.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort. We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester is scheduled to open in 2029, and Therme Group expects around two million visitors a year to the resort. More information about the wider company can be found on the Therme Group website.
