Gary Neville's Relentless Developments Announces Kendals District in Manchester
Gary Neville's development company, Relentless Developments, has revealed plans for a new city-centre neighbourhood in Manchester, centred around the historic Kendals building. The project, named Kendals District, will transform the area off Deansgate with a major retrofit of the iconic Kendal Milne department store as its focal point.
Ambitious Redevelopment Plans
The scheme includes top-quality workspace, hospitality and leisure facilities, a luxury hotel, and branded residences, all integrated within new public realm and cultural spaces. At its heart is the ambitious retrofit of the art deco Kendal Milne building on Deansgate, which opened in 1939 and was last occupied by House of Fraser before closing in 2019.
This redevelopment is a partnership between Relentless, Investec, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). It will create 230,000 square feet of modern, prime office space, along with extensive food, beverage, and retail provisions. The nine-storey building has been largely empty since 2019, with planning approval for conversion into offices, cafes, and shops granted in 2021.
Funding and Vision
After years of relative quiet on the project, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham confirmed at the end of last year that £44 million from his new £1 billion Good Growth Fund would be allocated to help kickstart the conversion. Anthony Kilbride, CEO of Relentless Developments, emphasized the project's significance, stating, "Kendals is a complex heritage retrofit that has demanded real conviction, not just in the building itself, but in the wider vision for this part of the city."
He added, "What we are bringing forward with the Kendals District is not piecemeal development; it is a coherent, carefully planned quarter that brings together workspace, hospitality, culture and public realm in a way that creates long-term value for the city." The retrofit aims to set a tone for sustainable, flexible spaces that prioritise wellbeing while respecting the site's heritage.
Broader Impact and Context
Relentless is leading five of the six transformational sites within the district, building on the success of its St Michael's development on Jackson's Row, which includes a 162-room W Hotel and 217 W Residences in a 43-storey tower. Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, commented, "Good Growth is about creating investment opportunities that create a lasting impact to the fabric of our city. Kendals is a prime example of this approach – breathing new life into an iconic heritage building."
This initiative demonstrates how public-private collaboration can unlock growth and create places with genuine economic and social impact, positioning Kendals District as a dynamic new quarter in Manchester's city centre.
