New images reveal how Debenhams Manchester will look after huge transformation

Brand new images reveal how Debenhams on Market street in Manchester city centre will look after it has gone through a huge transformation.

The iconic Grade II listed building currently stands empty on the bustling shopping street and is in need of some TLC. Once a busy department store, the empty building which was home to the household brand, is now covered in graffiti after it fell into administration in 2020.

Debenhams was later bought by Manchester-headquartered fashion giant Boohoo but all its stores were closed, leaving the site, known as the Rylands building, looking sad and in desperate need of a facelift.

Last year, global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha, based in Munich, confirmed that works were to get underway to breathe new life into the structure and transform it into a mixed-use development compromising retail, leisure and office space.

However, after Debenhams vacated it fell victim to vandals as it had its windows smashed and became covered in spray paint — which saw it dubbed as the city’s scruffiest building.

Situated close to Piccadilly Gardens, the multi-storey building was originally built in 1932 as a warehouse by J. Gerrard and Sons of Swinton for the Rylands textile company. It was designed by local architects, Fairhursts, in an Art Deco style, complete with a decorative corner tower and zig zag window ledges.

Exciting new digital images have revealed how the derelict site could look after it has undergone a major glow-up with works set to commence this year. The £68.5m redevelopment project was approved by Manchester City Council in January 2021. 

The plans will see the upper floors of the grand building turned into high-quality, modern office spaces while the ground floor will be home to a new shopping arcade. A four-storey extension will also be added onto the site.

Enabling works for the transformation of the vacant building have already begun, with main works scheduled to start in 2023 and completion expected in early 2025.

Construction company Russell WBHO is acting as a construction partner for the project while property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove are letting agents for the building.

Stephan Schmid, Senior Vice President at AM alpha: “Working with listed buildings is always a great privilege. We are proud to be able to give this historic Manchester landmark a new future and restore Rylands to its former glory in a very sustainable way.

“In this way, we are also helping to achieve Greater Manchester’s 2038 carbon neutrality target.” 

Local construction company Russell WBHO, which specialises in listed and sustainable projects, will act as a construction partner for the project, while local property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove have been appointed as letting agents. 

“It’s fantastic working with AM alpha on such an exciting project in our home town. Rylands is a well-known, impressive building,” says Will Lewis, founding director at OBI.

“The property is close to bustling areas such as Piccadilly Gardens and the Northern Quarter and will appeal to many local businesses. Due to the sought-after location, we already see a lot of interest from potential future tenants.”

Gareth Russell, founder and managing director of Russell WBHO: “We are delighted to be working with AM alpha to revitalise the historic Rylands building and position it in the market as a highly sustainable building. With our extensive experience in historic preservation and sustainable building, we will make AM Alpha’s vision a reality.”