This is a natural step for both companies and will consolidate our future position as a global wellbeing leader
– Dr Robert Hanea

Wellbeing developer Therme Group has been given to the go-ahead to build a £250m ($325m, €287m) wellbeing resort in Manchester, UK, aimed at addressing the need for physical and mental wellbeing for all.

Expected to open in 2023, Therme Manchester will cover an area of 28ac (11ha), with a 65,000sq m (700,000sq ft) main building that will house wellbeing facilities, a waterpark and botanical gardens. It will be designed by Therme Arc, the in-house architecture department that has delivered all Therme Group schemes around the world to date.

Stelian Iacob, senior vice president of Therme Group Worldwide and CEO of Therme Group UK, told CLAD: "Therme Group recognizes that to deliver next-generation wellbeing resorts, an interdisciplinary approach to planning and design is vital, embodied by Therme Group’s proprietary BIOTRUE system of development.

"The principles of this approach are founded in material and structural biomimicry and bring together specialists from botany, materials science, engineering, philosophy and psychology. Therme Group's unique approach enables it to manage the complex process of designing and delivering iconic projects across the world, which create a perfectly optimised environment of wellbeing for all."

The development, on the site of EventCity in Trafford, will feature a natural environment with thousands of plants and trees that "will be created by world-leading designers, artists, architects and engineers to achieve the highest levels of experience, quality and sustainability."

An 8,100sq m (87,100sq ft), Rose-shaped wellbeing garden will provide a biodiverse year-round space for socialising, learning and discovery, with terraces, pools and water features.

There will be a family-focussed area in a tropical environment with waterslides, a wave pool, indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms, exotic palm tree relaxation areas and a variety of other activities.

And a dedicated adults’ area will provide a space to relax with warm-water lagoons, botanical gardens, swim-up bars, therapeutic mineral baths, steam rooms, saunas and spaces for activities like yoga and pilates.

Additional bars, cafés and restaurants will be located throughout the resort.

Discussing the planning decision, Iacob said: “We are delighted that planning has been approved so we can bring the UK’s first Therme Group city wellbeing resort to Manchester. This will transform life for city residents and people further afield, creating a fun and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all.”

Therme Group has recently also announced a strategic partnership with thermal leisure operator Wund Holding to accelerate the company's business growth, with a number of other projects in development.

"This is a natural step for both companies and will consolidate our future position as a global wellbeing leader," said CEO, Dr Robert Hanea. "This ongoing partnership will enable us to continue to create the world’s most advanced family-friendly wellbeing resorts for customers worldwide."

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