Looking west along Central Street

“Incorporating the retained Southmill Street frontage of the former police station…”

This view looks west along Central Street towards the former Greater Manchester Police headquarters at Bootle Street Police Station. On the left is the Friends Meeting House, while on the right is 2 Mount Street.

The top photo was kindly provided by Chris Burnett of Chris Burnett Associates and dates from 2004. At that time, the police station remained fully operational, having served as Manchester's city police headquarters since 1937. The building continued in use for another decade before closing in 2014.

The bottom photo, taken August 2026 (remember the amazing weather!) highlights the significant transformation taking place in this part of the city centre through the delivery of Relentless Developments’ St Michael's scheme.

Works on site commenced in March 2022, when Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd began demolition of the former police headquarters, the Jackson's Row Reform Synagogue and associated buildings to prepare the site for redevelopment.

This paved the way for Phase 1 of St Michael's designed by Hodder Architects. Incorporating the retained Southmill Street frontage of the former police station, the development delivers 180,000 sq ft of workspace alongside 24,500 sq ft of food and beverage accommodation. Occupiers include Arm, Pinsent Masons, Hill Dickinson LLP, Channel 4, S&P Global, Gilbanks, Chotto Matte and Grind.

Visible in the background is Phase 2 of St Michael's, which is currently under construction. Once completed next year, the 41-storey tower will provide a 162-room W Hotels and 217 W Residences. Designed by Hodder Architects on behalf of Relentless Developments and Salboy, the scheme is being delivered by Domis Construction.