Global developer and wellbeing destination operator Therme Group is one step closer to breaking ground on its flagship thermal wellbeing and leisure resort development in Manchester, UK – a project projected to cost upwards of £250m (US$287.6m, €299m).

Regeneration business Peel L&P has now finished clearing the 28,000sq m former EventCity conference and exhibition centre at its TraffordCity site on Barton Dock Road in preparation for the Therme Manchester development. Set to become the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, the destination is expected to take two years to build.

Attractions within the 28-acre resort will include an all-season urban beach, expansive thermal pools, a wellbeing spa with health club services, immersive digital art, an onsite urban farm, botanical gardens and a waterpark with the world’s first living waterslides.

A snow room, multi-sensory showers and oxygen rooms will also be on offer, as well as a visitor and education centre for events on sustainability, food and nature.

Therme anticipates the development will significantly boost economic growth in the region, creating 1,200 jobs and over £4.5bn (US$5.2bn, €5.2bn) economic impact, as well as saving over one million hospital admission days per year.

James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s executive director of development said: “Therme Manchester is a landmark development for the North and something the UK has never seen before.

“We’re proud to help bring such an amazing attraction to the North West which we know will be enjoyed by so many people across the country whether it’s for a fun family day out, relaxation or educational trips.”

Richard Land, chief development officer for Therme Group UK, said: “We’re delighted to see the demolition works completed. It defines a key milestone for us as we continue our journey to bring Therme to Manchester, a perfect location for our first facility in the UK.”

Global roll-out
Therme Manchester will be Therme Group's first wellbeing destination in the UK.

The second is planned for Glasgow,, Scotland, on a site adjacent to the Riverside Museum at the intersection of the Kelvin and Clyde rivers. Other UK developments are in the works for London and Wales.

Therme already has three existing resorts in Germany – in Schwarzwald, Sinsheim and Euskirchen respectively – and a fourth resort in Bucharest, Romania.

Therme has announced plans to open another property in Germany as well as flagship wellbeing resorts in Canada and South Korea, alongside introducing urban wellbeing centres to five US cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.