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.”
They’re aiming to tackle the pressures currently being put on temporary accommodation by turning long-term empty homes throughout the region into safe and secure housing for families who need it.
Temporary accommodation is described as being a ‘vital safety net’ for people who are facing or are at risk of homelessness, as it ensures they have somewhere safe to stay – but rising demand, a shortage of affordable homes, and escalating costs have left Councils, such as Greater Manchester‘s, increasingly reliant on expensive alternatives that are often deemed unsuitable and place a significant strain on local budgets.
At the same time, thousands of long-term empty homes across Greater Manchester remain unused.
This is why, with new devolved powers, GMCA is now taking what it’s calling a ‘coordinated, region-wide approach’ to bring these empty homes back into use and pioneer long-term solutions to the temporary accommodation crisis.
Greater Manchester reveals its £11.7m plan to tackle empty homes across the region / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
New research has revealed that temporary accommodation usage across the region has nearly doubled since 2019, with 5,915 households now making use of it as of March 2025.
At the same time, it’s estimated that the region has around 12,700 homes which have been empty for six months or more.
So, the new £11.7 million package – which is funded by GMCA – will be used to refurbish or lease up to 400 properties and help Councils cut bills for ‘costly and unsuitable’ temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, hostels, or hotels.
“More than 8,000 children are among the families living in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester and that is simply unacceptable,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Homelessness tears young families from their communities and support networks, leaving them in environments that are often wholly unsuitable. This experience leaves lasting scars and that’s why we’re taking bold action.
“By investing an initial £11.7m to bring long-term empty homes back into use, we can offer better housing options, reduce the reliance on costly temporary accommodation, and ease the financial strain on local authorities.”
Alongside this package, another £10.6 million fund will enable councils to provide financial incentives, repair support, and offer temporary leasing options for at least 400 empty homes, ensuring they can be quickly brought into use as temporary or settled accommodation for families.
The programme is part of the work of Greater Manchester’s dedicated Housing First Unit, established to deliver the vision for ‘a healthy home for all’ by 2038.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Property
Government sets date for ‘historic’ no-fault evictions ban next year
Emily Sergeant
The Government has officially set the date for the ban of no-fault evictions next year.
Renting in England is expected to be ‘transformed’ with a raft of major changes coming into effect as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill from 1 May 2026 for 11 million people across the country – and this, crucially, includes the end of Section 21 evictions at no-fault of the tenant.
As it stands, Section 21 notices leaving thousands of people vulnerable to homelessness every year, but in just under six months’ time, private renters will no longer face this threat.
To the vast majority of renters and landlords who play by the rules, this government has got your back.
Further measures announced as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill – which has now been passed in law – include a ban on rental bidding wars, making landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and prevented from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price, and also a ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts.
The latter will prevent landlords from implementing higher rents mid-tenancy, and only allow them to raise the rent once a year to the market rate.
Landlords will also no longer be able to unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet, nor will they be able to discriminate against potential tenants, because they receive benefits or have children.
‘No-fault’ evictions are now banned in England under historic new legislation / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
On the flip side, however, the new Bill means landlords will have stronger legally valid reasons to get their properties back when needed – whether that’s be to move in themselves, sell the property, or deal with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
The Government says this will work to deliver a fairer system for both sides.
“We’re calling time on no fault evictions and rogue landlords,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head, and the law we’ve just passed delivers that.
“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in, so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.”
Alongside the Renters’ Rights Act, an ‘improved’ Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which will better assess health and safety risks in homes and making it more efficient and easier to understand, will also be introduced.
And there are also planned new standards to ensure privately rented properties are warmer and cheaper to run.
Daisy Jackson -
4th October 2023 
