Gary Neville’s St Michael’s Manchester has revealed that W Residences and W Hotel will be opening within the £400m development.
The huge project is taking shape behind the historic frontage of the old Bootle Street police station – when it’s complete, it will be home to 217 apartments, a 162-room hotel, and a rooftop restaurant, plus a saved and refurbished Sir Ralph Abercromby pub.
It’s a project 15 years in the making and today has taken a step closer, with the announcement of its hotel and apartment operator.
St Michael’s will host the luxurious W Residences and W Hotel brands, promising hotel-inspired living and chance to buy ‘a permanent residence within Manchester’s most exclusive postcode’.
The cost of those apartments hasn’t yet been announced – but one-bedroom flats at W Residences in London started around the half-a-million mark.
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This will be one of only W Residences in the world, with sales launching in November and the first people expected to move in from 2027.
Those who live in the apartments will have access to a full hotel level of services and amenities, including 24-hour concierge (W’s whenever/wherever service), round-the-clock in-residence dining, laundry and dry cleaning.
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Alongside the luxury 217 apartments will be a W Manchester Hotel, set to open early 2027 within the 410-storey skyscraper.
What the W Residences apartments will look like at St Michael’s Manchester. Credit: Supplied
W Manchester is promising bring bold design, distinctive dining and always-on programming, as well as signature spaces including the Living Room, WET deck, W Lounge, AWAY Spa and FIT fitness centre.
It joins already-announced Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Chotto Matte, which will take charge of the rooftop space.
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And the public square connecting the two St Michael’s buildings will be home to the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub.
Gary Neville, director of Relentless Developments, said: “W Hotel and W Residences are going to put the distinctive 41-storey tower that is No.2 St Michael’s on the global map.
“There is no better home for W Hotel in the North of England than Manchester. This is a bold city which continues to defy expectations and which embodies the same values of originality and passion that have made the W Hotel experience world-renowned.
What the W Residences apartments will look like at St Michael’s Manchester. Credit: Supplied
“Situated alongside this, W Residences Manchester will be immersive, design-forward homes that will set a new standard in hotel-inspired living and massively raise the bar for city-centre home ownership.
“I’d like to thank Marriott International and our developer partner, Salboy, for seeing the potential in this scheme and remaining committed to our vision.”
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Jaidev Menezes, regional VP – Mixed-Use Development EMEA, Marriott International, commented: “We are delighted to work with Salboy and Relentless Group to launch our newest residential development under the W brand in Manchester.
“There is a growing demand for luxury living in Manchester and this project in the St. Michael’s mixed-use development will deliver that with its vibrant design and impeccable service for its residences and hotel.”
A pool at the W Hotel and Residences at St Michael’s, Manchester. Credit: SuppliedSt Michael’s in Manchester
Simon Ismail, co-founder and MD at Salboy Group, added: “The W brand became famous for vibrant, diverse, urban locations like Manchester. Salboy is really proud to working alongside Relentless Developments to launch and deliver Manchester’s first branded residences and a truly 5-star international hotel.
“W Residences Manchester will offer a residential living experience and level of service unlike anything in the city right now. From a dedicated concierge handling anything you need at any time, to world-class interiors and top specification fixtures and fittings plus your own secure lift. Not to mention all the benefits of the W Hotel including the restaurants, the gym, pool, spa and relaxing in your own residential lounge or W living room.
“Something will always be happening, whether it’s art pop ups or music experiences, right here in this super prime Manchester location.”
A historic Stockport pub has officially become a listed building
Danny Jones
The Angel Inn pub in Stockport has officially become the thriving Greater Manchester borough’s latest listed building.
Being granted Grade II-listed status following an extensive visit and survey by Historic England (HE), Stockport Market Place’s Angel Inn may have had a lick of paint amidst the ‘Old Town Revival’ over the last decade or so, but the pub itself was erected back in the 16th century.
Reopened as one of the area’s most beloved boozers back in 2018, whilst still maintaining key fixtures and that feeling of authenticity, it harks back to the town’s Cheshire roots and taps into a deep vein of local culture.
The assessment, which was completed earlier this month, means that Angel Inn has been recognised as having special architectural or historic significance – i.e. the definition of a listed building.
Writing in a post on social media, the government-backed English heritage organisation detailed that while the inn predates the Early Modern/post-medieval period, the Angel‘s frame is comprised of wood from the 15th century.
But it gets even more interesting than that…
As well as being one of a select few surviving, traditional wattle-and-daub structures in the UK – nearby Bramall Hall being another (and a technique that had died out by the 18th century) – a close inspection of the internal floorboards unearthed something truly fascinating.
It just so happens that tests by HE proved that one particular plank of flooring “was cut from a tree alive in 1086, the year the Domesday Book was completed: the oldest government record held in The National Archives, commissioned by William the Conqueror.
How bloody cool is that?
It’s also worth noting that it’s genuinely a brilliant boozer and one of the most popular watering holes you’ll find in the town centre, promising a cosy interior, an intimate little outdoor area out back and serving plenty of regional ales.
You only have to glance at the exterior to clue into its age, let alone what there is to be found inside.Way back when.Credit: Historic England (handout)/Stockport Archives
Although they say it’s likely that the floorboard in question was originally cut for an earlier building situated in the same location, it still goes to show how old this particular North West settlement is.
“The name ‘Angel Inn’ dates from as early as 1769, though the site’s hospitality roots extend further, with references to “Cotterell’s inn” used for sequestrators’ meetings in the 1640s, who met to organise the confiscation of property of supporters of King Charles I during The English Civil War”, HE went on to add.
Angel Inn is one of only a handful of venues like this in Greater Manchester and Cheshire; safe to say a lot of time, effort and money are being put into preserving these links to the past.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Historic England (handout)/Stockport Archives
Property
The local property developers helping Mancs buy a home without the large deposit
Emily Sergeant
A North West developer that specialises in creating Shared Ownership homes currently has eight new developments under construction across Manchester.
Getting your foot on theproperty ladder or taking the next step to owning a bigger home can be one of the most challenging things to do and is often not financially viable for a lot of people – and this is whereGecko Homes‘ unique Shared Ownership scheme comes in.
The developer is enabling first time buyers and other qualifying homebuyers to purchase shares in its homes instead.
With deposits from as little as £2,438, the scheme means residents can buy shares ranging from 10% all the way up to 75% instead and then pay rent on the rest, with the option to increase the share percentage at later dates, all the way up to outright ownership.
Gecko Homes is helping Mancs get on the property ladder / Credit: Supplied
As mentioned, the company is currently working on eight new developments across Manchester in some of the city’s most sought-after suburbs, and prospective buyers can now register their interest.
One of the most popular developments currently underway is ‘Tatton Place’ in Sale – which is a redevelopment of a historic Masonic Hall and police station into 31 homes, including two and three-bedroom houses, one and two-bedroom apartments, and several stunning duplexes, all with access to both private and communal gardens.
Another key development is ‘Emerald Way’ over in the popular Manchester suburban town of Chorlton, where prices start from £60,625 for a 25% share, meaning a buyer would only need a deposit of £3,031.
Over in West Didsbury is one of largest ongoing developments called ‘Two Didsbury Point’, which is a £20 million scheme of 76 affordable homes across two connected eight and five-storey blocks – 46 of those being for shared ownership – on the site of the former Withington Hospital, with an outdoor communal terrace and green spaces for residents to enjoy.
Another one of the developments currently in the works that prospective buyers can now register their interest for is ‘Boundary View’, which lies in the thriving Manchester community of Old Trafford.
“Our Shared Ownership model has transformed people’s lives by giving them a way onto the property ladder in a modern, stylish, and high-quality home that they can afford to live in,” explained Christina Tattersall, who is the Head of Sales at Gecko Homes.
Eight developments are currently underway across Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“All of our latest developments are already generating high levels of interest from local people who want to live in some of Manchester’s most popular and vibrant suburbs that all benefit from great amenities and regular transport links.
“Each development will be finished to a very high specification, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, as well as luxury floorings and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.”
Residents interested in any of these developments are asked to visit Gecko Homes’ website here to find out more and register their details now.
Prices shown are based on 25% Shared Ownership and a 95% LTV mortgage. All properties are bought as leasehold, with full terms applying, and prices shown may be subject to change and are a guide only.
Daisy Jackson -
4th October 2023 
