Just shy of an hour from Leeds, work is officially underway on Therme Manchester, a £450 million development set to become the UK’s largest wellbeing resort and one of the most ambitious building projects in the North in recent years.
The milestone was marked today (Friday 12 September) with Beyond Groundbreaking, a celebration event at TraffordCity, where local leaders, partners and community members gathered to mark the start of construction. Enabling works were completed last year, with full construction scheduled to begin later this month. The resort is due for completion by the end of 2028, with an opening date to be confirmed nearer the time.
The scale of the project is vast. Around 2,500 construction jobs will be created, peaking at 1,200 on-site, while 650 permanent roles will be needed once the resort opens. Therme Manchester has already been active in the community, supporting local events such as the Manchester Marathon and NHS initiatives, with plans to deepen partnerships with local businesses, charities, and cultural organisations throughout the project.
The Sun reports that the Manchester addition aims to be the same, with a massive park with ‘live’ water slides, a wave pool, and swim-up bars, which is designed to improve visitors’ mental health and wellbeing. The beach, 35 slides, a steam room, warm-water lagoons, mineral baths, ‘exotic palm tree relaxation spaces,’ and indoor and outdoor pools for kids will all be available inside.
Sustainability sits at the heart of the development. The resort will employ innovative methods such as air-source heat pumps and on-site 3D printing of building components to reduce waste, emissions and delivery times. Sourcing materials locally and aligning with Manchester’s 2038 carbon net-zero target, Therme aims to offer a lower-carbon alternative to overseas spa and wellness travel.
Once complete, Therme Manchester will blend cutting-edge design with nature, water and wellbeing. Facilities will include thermal bathing and swimming areas, spa and fitness zones, immersive digital art, sustainable gardens, and a wide choice of dining. The aim is to create a year-round destination that is both accessible and transformative for residents and visitors alike.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, described it as “a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West,” while Peel Waters’ James Whittaker hailed it as “a true gamechanger” for TraffordCity and beyond.
Therme Manchester is expected to attract millions of visitors annually, delivering long-term economic, cultural, and wellbeing benefits for the region.
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