Manchester United legend Gary Neville has secured a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of Manchester's most cherished landmarks. His development company, Relentless, has been officially appointed to lead the transformation of the historic Kendals department store on Deansgate.
A New Chapter for an Art Deco Icon
The iconic art deco building, which first opened its doors to shoppers in 1939, is set for a major reinvention. While it served generations of Manchester residents as a retail destination, its era as a department store is concluding. Plans approved back in 2021 laid the groundwork for converting the nine-storey block into a modern hub featuring offices, cafés, and shops.
After years of little public activity, the project has gained significant momentum with two major announcements in the past week. First, Mayor Andy Burnham revealed that £44 million from the new £1 billion 'Good Growth Fund' would be allocated to kickstart the conversion. This was swiftly followed by the confirmation that Relentless would be the driving force behind the scheme.
Delivering Modern Workspace and Preserving Heritage
Anthony Kilbride, Chief Executive of Relentless, described the appointment as a 'proud' moment for the company. He stated the firm is committed to 'securing the future of this much-loved Manchester landmark'.
The confirmed plans for the revamped Kendals include:
- 230,000 sq ft of premium office space.
- Extensive areas dedicated to food and drink outlets.
- Retail space for shops.
Furthermore, a new 280,000 sq ft office building will be constructed on the site of the existing Kendals multi-storey car park located behind the main store.
Responding to Soaring Commercial Demand
The decision to convert the building primarily into offices is a direct response to Manchester's booming commercial property market. Will Lewis, Chief Executive of OBI Property, emphasised that the iconic Kendals building will deliver some of the city's 'most impressive prime office space'.
He highlighted the 'high levels of demand from large occupiers' across various growth sectors, noting that this conversion will play a 'critical role in filling the obvious gap in supply' and underpinning Manchester's global appeal as a business destination.
Relentless brings significant experience to the project, having recently completed the No. 1 St Michael's office development. The company also has the nearby No. 2 St Michael's, featuring hotels and flats, scheduled for completion next year. In a separate venture, the firm has also unveiled proposals to expand the prestigious Stock Exchange Hotel, which Gary Neville launched with former teammate Ryan Giggs in 2019.
