Rylands has reached a major milestone in its transformation, as the project officially bottoms out – marking the completion of the deepest point of construction.
Following months of careful excavation, the scheme is now ready to move into its next phase of works – a significant step as Rylands begins to rise once more, shaped by a vision that reimagines this historic building for the future.
To mark the occasion, AM ALPHA, the owners of Rylands, and project partners, including OBI, JLL, Barker Proudlove, Jeffrey Bell Architects, and Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture, were welcomed on site for a tour led by Domis Construction.
The visit offered a rare glimpse of the building stripped back to its core, providing a moment to appreciate the scale, structure, and craftsmanship of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings before internal works begin to transform it into a modern, mixed-use space.
The tour was followed by a celebration at Hotel Gotham, recognising the progress achieved so far and the collaborative effort driving the project forward.
Paul Hodgkiss, Project Manager for Rylands, said: “Reaching this construction milestone on Rylands feels fantastic. We spent several years honing the plans and sourcing the right partners who understand our ambitions for the scheme.
“Domis has made huge strides since they began on site last Summer, and this is a testament to their hard work and expertise. It’s a pivotal moment, so it only felt right to celebrate with the project team.
“Upon completion, we’re confident Rylands will set a new standard of excellence for developments in Manchester city centre.”
Refurbishment has been underway at Rylands since 2022, with completion expected in planned phases from late 2026 onwards.
Each stage is bringing Rylands closer to realising its next chapter – one that honours its heritage, while reshaping its place in Manchester’s future.