Manchester’s pioneering Rylands development hits a major project milestone this week, with stakeholders gathering to celebrate the topping out of the prestigious landmark building, which sits on the site of the former Debenhams store on Market Street.
The site project team, including Domis, Jeffrey Bell, Levrant, JLL, and Barker Proudlove all marked the occasion with an on-site celebration, followed by a drinks reception at The Edwardian Manchester Hotel to commemorate the fantastic progress to date on such a remarkable project.
The vacant building has been undergoing extensive refurbishment since 2022. Completion is expected in 2027.
The Grade II listed building is undergoing comprehensive redevelopment. Since 2023, AM ALPHA has been transforming the site, including a complete refurbishment of the original structure, conversion of the upper floors into premium office space, and the creation of retail units at ground level.
The scheme also includes a new four-storey contemporary extension, bringing the total number of floors to ten. Once finished, Rylands will offer high-quality office accommodation, retail space, and a leisure area focused on food and beverage.
Market Place Food Hall has already committed to a 15-year lease on the ground floor.
Martin Lemke, CEO of AM Alpha, said: “Reaching this construction milestone is an important achievement for everyone involved in the transformation of Rylands. Working with a listed building of this scale inevitably brings complexity and unexpected challenges. The progress made to made demonstrates what can be achieved through close cooperation, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to the project.
“Rylands is an important part of Manchester’s architectural and commercial heritage. Our ambition is to preserve that character while creating a modern, sustainable destination that meets the needs of future occupiers and visitors. We would like to thank Domis and the entire project team for their dedication and the significant progress they have made.”
Rory O’Donoghue, Construction Director at Domis Construction said: “The topping out of Rylands is a significant milestone and reflects the monumental effort, collaboration, and shared commitment of everyone involved in the project. We’ve shared AM ALPHA’s ambition from the outset to deliver this iconic building back to the city, and it’s been a privilege for Domis to help bring that vision to life. Transforming a landmark building of this scale and significance has only been possible through the close collaboration of the entire project team. While there’s still plenty of work ahead, reaching this stage is a fantastic achievement and one that everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.”
In keeping with the traditions of a topping out ceremony, a yew tree has been incorporated into the fabric of the building to mark the completion of the highest structural point. As well as a symbol of longevity and good fortune, the tree reflects the project’s commitment to preserving Rylands’ rich heritage, while laying the foundations for its next chapter.
