UK: Therme Group Unveils Design Updates for Therme Manchester Wellbeing Resort

Together with Peel L&P, a development company specialising in sustainable mixed-use complexes, Therme Group is planning and realising the GBP 250-million (over EUR 300 million) Therme Manchester (cf. EAP 5/2020). Recently, the Therme Group has presented updates in the design draft for the mega-project: In addition to the creation of a “next generation“ water park, thermal bathing, a wellbeing spa, immersive digital art, an on-site urban farm and botanical gardens, biophilic architectural design elements (biophilic architecture: construction industry concept to create a natural or nature-like environment) have been added, including double-curved roofs to reduce the amount of steel required and thus increase the sustainability of the overall complex development.

In addition, the updated plans include a multi-storey car park with vertical planting, which removes the need for under-venue parking and reduces the amount of excavation needed, lowering the impact on the environment. In terms of planned attractions and experiences for guests, there will be an urban beach with the “world's first ‘living‘ water slides“, which are designed to impress with a 3D-printed superstructure and additional real planting. Furthermore, innovative “welltech“ offerings will be part of Therme Manchester, including a snow room, multi-sensory showers and oxygen rooms. In an education centre, visitors and especially school classes will be able to learn more about sustainability, food and the environment – an own vertical farm and roof-top beehives, which will produce honey for the spa‘s restaurants, are further pillars of the overall innovative spa concept.

“The Covid period gave us the opportunity to update the design of Therme Manchester to create an even more sustainable, engaging and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all. We will continue to work with the Manchester community as we progress with the design and development,“ commented Stelian Iacob, Senior Vice President of Therme Group and CEO of Therme Group UK.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with Therme Group to develop this exceptional wellbeing resort in TraffordCity. Therme Manchester will lead the way in health and wellbeing and with the updated plans now including the UK‘s first all-season urban beach and the world‘s first living waterslides, we are excited to continue working with Therme Manchester to deliver this innovative health and wellbeing experience in TraffordCity, the UK‘s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination,“ added James Whittaker, Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P.

Therme Group is aiming to submit a revised planning application in the summer. Construction of the development is scheduled to begin in 2023, with a build time of around two years. (eap)