St Michaels

New architecture firm selected for footballers' development



The architects involved in the St Michael’s development in Manchester have been replaced following the response to their first proposal.


Make Architects will no longer be the project architect for the mixed-use scheme in central Manchester.

Instead, St Michael’s has appointed Hodder and Partners to the role at the development which is backed by former Manchester United footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs

In a statement published on Twitter, St Michael’s said: “In light of the overall response to the first proposal, it was clear that a different design approach was required.

“We reflected whether the original solution met the overall objectives for the site and Stephen Hodder was brought in as part of that challenge process.

“This led to an extensive review of the approach.”

In August 2016, a petition was launched to save a historic pub from demolition to make way for the scheme. 

“Stephen Hodder’s involvement led us to a different philosophy, which we believe will command a greater level of support and create a fantastic new development and destination in the city.

“The partnership thanks Make and, in particular, Stuart Fraser and his colleagues for their work and wishes the practice well in the future.”

In August 2016, it was revealed that the site would provide quality living, working and leisure spaces with the centre piece being two tower blocks that would contain a hotel, residential apartments and office space. 

The Jackson’s Row Development Partnership - which was created by Brendan Flood, Mr Neville and Mr Giggs, is a partner of the St Michael’s project.

The former footballers are part of an international consortium comprising the Jackson’s Row Development Partnership, Rowsley Ltd, Beijing Construction and Engineering Group International and Manchester City Council, who are putting St Michael’s together.

Make stated that it believed its involvement in the St Michael’s development had reached its natural conclusion.

“We’ve been totally committed to the evolution of the scheme and have continued to work on revised proposals, but we feel that the current direction does not align with our ambition for the site and it is right to step aside.

"St Michael’s is an important project for Manchester and we wish Gary Neville and his team every success in bringing it to fruition.”



Leave a comment