Design Tonic to inspire interior at £150m St Michael’s

The Yorkshire-based commercial interior designer has been chosen to fit-out the communal spaces at Gary Neville’s Manchester office scheme, which is due to be completed this year.

Design Tonic’s brief prioritises the delivery of a reception area, a business lounge, multiple lobbies, changing rooms, and communal meeting facilities for the Relentless Developments and KKR project.

The fit-out is already underway and completion is targetted for early 2025.

Amanda Cook, co-founder of Design Tonic, said: “No1 St Michaels is a truly impressive project, and we are delighted to have been appointed on such a high-profile scheme.

“The team will be creating spaces that balance contemporary elegance with practicality and accessibility, to provide an environment for employees and visitors that is focussed on productivity, wellbeing, and the creation of a world-class workspace.”

The Relentless site will comprise offices, hotels, apartments, public spaces, and a rooftop restaurant, and will feature Design Tonic’s interior touches.

Office space at No1 St Michaels has already been fully pre-let, at the highest office rents in Manchester. S&P Global signed a lease at the Jackson’s Row block in May, at a rent of £44/sq ft.

Other tenants at No1 St Michaels will be Channel 4, Pinsent Masons, and Arm.

The project’s £150m phase one has been built by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland who began work on site in January 2022.

Anthony Kilbride, co-founder of Relentless, said: “No1 St Michaels is attracting an extremely high-calibre tenant, and we’re committed to providing the highest standards throughout all areas of the building.

“This extends to the design and fit-out of all shared spaces in order to offer the occupiers an unrivalled experience in functionality and comfort.”

He added: “The team at Design Tonic impressed us with their extensive experience delivering outstanding office interiors. We’re thrilled to be partnering with them.”

Design Tonic has worked on various projects across the North, including County Arcade in Leeds, and recruiter Goodall Brazier’s offices in Leeds.

No1 St Michaels is the £150m first phase of the wider £400m St Michael’s project.

The second phase, a residential skyscraper currently under construction, has been designed by Hodder + Partners.

Relentless has partnered with Salboy for this phase of the scheme, with Domis Construction handling the build.

The apartment and hotel complex is expected to be completed in 2027.