The appointment of a contractor for the much-anticipated spa, waterpark, and wellbeing resort follows the announcement of a €1bn strategic joint venture between Therme Group and investor CVC earlier this year.
Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed to build the £450m located on 28 acres acquired from Peel Waters at TraffordCity.
The announcement of a construction partner for Therme Manchester – arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated projects in the North – is a significant milestone for a project that has laboured towards a start on site.
First unveiled in 2019, Therme Manchester has endured market volatility and undergone multiple redesigns to get where it is today.
Initial planning permission was granted in 2020 before undergoing a major refresh in 2023.
A further section 73 application approved in 2024 by Trafford Council permitted additional amends, including tweaks to reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint.
The project will feature more than 10 pools and 20 waterslides, as well as a wellbeing garden, more than 25 saunas and steam rooms, botanical gardens, health and nutrition areas, immersive art, oxygen rooms, a snow room, and multi-sensory showers.
Once complete in 2028, the attraction is expected to draw in around 2m visitors a year and will be the “largest water-based wellbeing destination in Europe”, according to the Therme Horizon JV.
Trafford City’s Therme will be a key attraction for Manchester’s visitor economy. Credit: via Rule 5
Professor David Russell, chief executive of Therme UK, said: “We are delighted to appoint Sir Robert McAlpine to support the management of construction for Therme Manchester.
“Their unrivalled expertise in delivering large scale, complex projects, along with a shared commitment to excellence, community and sustainability, makes them the ideal team to bring Therme Manchester to life.”
Neil Martin, chief executive at Sir Robert McAlpine, described Therme as a “visionary project”.
“Therme Manchester represents a major investment in wellbeing, sustainability, and community infrastructure, and we are excited to play a part in shaping its future,” he said.
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said the scheme is a coup for Trafford.
“The Therme project is fantastic news for Trafford, and I am delighted it is being built in our borough.
“The resort will attract millions of visitors each year to boost our economy and will provide hundreds of construction jobs and full-time jobs. It supports several of our key commitments by helping provide a thriving economy, improving health and wellbeing and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters said: “We have been on a long partnership journey with Therme Group. Since our first meeting and experiencing Therme’s world-leading concept, Peel Waters have worked hand in glove with Therme Group to bring this phenomenal experience to TraffordCity, Manchester.
“Following on from the preparation of the site and carrying out the demolition works of the former ‘EventCity’, we are now extremely pleased to see the appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine in readiness for delivering this truly transformational, unique wellness resort, which will be a complete gamechanger for health, leisure and the visitor economy in the North.”