The Rylands team was proud to welcome more than 20 members of Women in Property North West (WiP NW) to the iconic Manchester site last month, continuing a strong tradition of collaboration, conversation, and transparency at one of the city’s most exciting redevelopment projects.
AM ALPHA, the owner and developer behind the transformation of the Grade II listed Rylands Building, is undertaking a full refurbishment of the historic property. The plans include a four-storey extension and place a strong emphasis on sustainability, with the project aiming to achieve certifications such as BREEAM Excellent or NABERS 5*.
WiP is a national organisation that works to create opportunities, expand networks, and support the career development of women in the property and construction sectors.
Led by contractor Domis, the site visit gave attendees a rare behind-the-scenes look at the progress being made on the transformation of the building, which is set to become a major new destination for work, retail, and leisure in the heart of Manchester.
The event began with a warm welcome from Richard Lace, Director at OBI, one of the commercial agents for the scheme. He provided an overview of the vision for scheme, outlining the scale and ambition behind the development. He also touched on how plans aim to blend contemporary design with sensitive restoration of the building’s historical features.
Representatives from the developer and owners of Rylands, AM ALPHA, were also in attendance. They engaged directly with attendees, sharing insight into their long-term plans for the building, and highlighting how sustainability, heritage, and user experience continue to be carefully considered.
From there, the tour moved to the site itself, where contractor Domis lead the group through the current phase of construction. WiP NW members had the opportunity to walk through various parts of the building, gaining insight into the construction process, key milestones achieved so far, and the challenges and opportunities presented by working on a heritage asset of this scale.
One of the major talking points throughout the visit was the preservation of the Rylands Building’s heritage features. Originally built in the 1930s, the Art Deco façade and other historic elements of the structure are being meticulously restored and integrated into the new design.
WiP NW members were keen to learn more about how the team is approaching this balance of old and new—particularly the careful work being done to retain the building’s architectural integrity while introducing state-of-the-art facilities and modern infrastructure.
Attendees also brought a range of insightful questions, spanning topics such as construction sequencing, sustainability measures, material sourcing, and the importance of inclusive design.
The tour provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge-sharing between disciplines and underscored the importance of creating space for underrepresented voices in the built environment.
This visit is the latest in a series of site tours hosted at Rylands, following previous visits from the Manchester Evening News, Place North West, and other key stakeholders in the property and development sectors.
Each tour plays an important role in maintaining open lines of communication with the wider community and celebrating the progress being made on this landmark scheme. We look forward to hosting more site tours before completion in 2027.