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05 Jul 2023

Therme Manchester’s new design submitted for approval

Following a public consultation, Therme Manchester, the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, has submitted a refined new design for approval to Trafford Council.

The concept for the project has transitioned, from primarily a single building with zones and an undulating roofline, to a flowing pavilion-style concept and will contain wellness, health and fitness, a waterpark and attractions as well as arts installations and a hydroponic farm.

This new design features separate connected structures that are immersed and enveloped in a natural landscape, with a revised location for car parking and enhanced connectivity with public transport.

At the heart of the new design lies an urban wellbeing garden, inspired by an English meadow.

The public consultation has shown overwhelming support with 91 per cent of the responses towards the new design agreeing that it is even more impressive than the original, with the carbon footprint being one of the most important considerations. Therme Group has given its support for a district heating network that Peel L&P are promoting, to make rapid progress in the transition to low-carbon heating.

Therme Manchester has enlisted the services of Fletcher Priest – a London-based architectural and design practice, and one of the largest in the UK – as collaborating architects.

It is providing support to Therme ARC, Therme Group's in-house architecture practice and design company, with a series of design innovations. Additionally, the group has engaged GROSS.MAX., an Edinburgh-based firm responsible for the landscape design.

The new design includes three entrances to welcome guests arriving from all directions. Enhanced access will also be provided for cyclists and pedestrians using public transport. A newly landscaped green boulevard will cater to individuals arriving by car to Therme Manchester and the nearby Trafford Palazzo.

The new on-site parking arrangements are seamlessly integrated into the natural environment, with the roof serving as an outdoor customer terrace that offers views of the Bridgewater Canal. A decision has been made to commit to heat pumps and to incorporate photovoltaics above the car park and on the roof of the logistics hub.

The creation of a new connection to the Bridgewater Canal will improve the link between the resort and Manchester city centre, delivering increased access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Therme Group have taken on board the comments from the public consultation and will continue to listen and engage with community groups, in the Therme Manchester post-planning design work, to ensure the development delivers optimum access to all.

Pending planning approval, the £250m (US$317.8m, €291.4m) construction is set to commence later this year, with an estimated duration of 24 months for completion.

The Therme blueprint
Guided by the principle of wellbeing for all, Therme develops, designs and operates large-scale wellbeing oases that combine thermal bathing, sauna treatments and family-friendly water-based features with cutting-edge architecture, cultural programming and immersive arts experiences.

Each Therme location across the world is designed as an accessible urban retreat, offering both a health and wellbeing spa and next-generation waterpark attractions. Every Therme facility responds uniquely to its location, tailoring its offerings to meet community ecological, economic and cultural conditions.

Therme currently operates four locations in Germany and Romania, which collectively attract many millions of visitors per year. Additionally, it’s developing new sites in mainland Europe, the US, Canada, Scotland and Asia Pacific, including South Korea.