Therme rejigs £250m Trafford Park resort plans
Construction on Therme Manchester is now set to begin in 2023, which is when the wellbeing centre and waterpark was originally expected to be operational.
Planning permission for Therme Group’s original Therme Manchester proposal was granted in 2020 by Trafford Council. However, Therme has opted to redesign the scheme at Trafford Park to boost its sustainability credentials.
The new plans, which are set to be submitted this summer, include a multi-storey car park near Trafford Palazzo, ‘living’ waterslides and an expanded 2.5-acre wellbeing garden with a hydroponic vertical farm.
“The Covid period gave us the opportunity to update the design of Therme Manchester to create an even more sustainable, engaging and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all,” said Stelian Iacob, senior vice president of Therme Group and chief executive of Therme Group UK.
New biodiversity initiatives also include the planting of more than 1,500 trees and creating roof-top beehives that will supply honey in the resort’s restaurants as well as for its wellbeing treatments.
To decrease the amount of steel required in the building, the redesign includes double-curved roofs. Having a separate multi-storey car park is also set to reduce the amount of excavation required for the build, as the original approved plans called for parking beneath the resort. Therme said that by decreasing excavation requirements the environmental impact of the scheme would be lowered.
If approved, Therme Manchester would open around 2025. Credit: via Rule 5
Therme Manchester would feature an all-season urban beach and multiple ‘welltech’ experiences including a snow room, oxygen rooms and multi-sensory showers. The waterpark portion of the resort would also have the world’s first living waterslides, according to Therme. These waterslides would have a 3D-printed superstructure that would feature thousands of plants.
A visitor and education centre, which would hold events on sustainability and nature, is also proposed.
It is anticipated that Therme Manchester will take two years to build. The project is being developed in partnership with Peel L&P.
James Whittaker, executive director of development at Peel, voiced his enthusiasm for the scheme.
“We are proud to be working in partnership with Therme Group to develop this exceptional wellbeing resort in TraffordCity,” he said.
“Therme Manchester will lead the way in health and wellbeing and with the updated plans now including the UK’s first all-season urban beach and the world’s first living waterslides, we are excited to continue working with Therme Manchester to deliver this innovative health and wellbeing experience in TraffordCity, the UK’s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination.”
Another push back Wow. Either get it built or stop talking about it. Starting to get skeptical about this now.
By Bob
Surely they’re missing a trick by not including a resort hotel?
By Stu
Shame there is going to be a multi-storey. The rationale may be valid but underground parking would be visually more appealing.
By harpisord
This looks amazing, it’s all about the delivery though as it also has the potential to end up being incredibly tacky.
Best of luck to Therme.
By T
Along with Eden Project North and Southport, the north-west is going to have some fantastic leisure offerings in a few years.
By Anonymous
Yes, what Bob said. Also I wonder are they going to redevelop the five aside football near the Chill factore now that Event City is no longer moving. I know they play there now but it clearly needs some work.
By Anonymous
Therme also need to consider the fact they are next 2 a big shopping centre would be cool if u had access to shopping centre through the means of a sky bridge this would allow for their profits to be boosted as it would allow for a natural flow of customs who have done their shopping and maby want to chill with their kids in the pool
By Ryan
The travel infrastructure needs developing as well . It’s already a challenge to get out / into the area due to motorway congestion for residents of Urmston / Flixton . Christmas especially .
By TC
The water park is looking good. It’s all around the year i can’t wait for it to open. They are spending around 250 million pounds on the water park should be one off the best if not the best resorts in uk
By Ali
More roads needed
By Cal
There is already a gigantic road network in this area. If it’s still too congested then we can conclude that there are simply too many cars. Perhaps those that drive in the area (thereby making the problem worse) should consider alternative means of travel, instead of using “traffic congestion” as a reason to reject plans for jobs and investment in the area.
By Anonymous
Living waterslide? Tbh sounds no different from Center Parcs!
By Disgruntled Goat
Good
By David
As its a health and wellness will there be a spa area and will there be a membership option
By Lorr