Launching the iconic tower scheme, Neville said the start by contractor Domis Construction would mark the culmination of 15 years of hard work to transform an underused area of the city.

The mixed-use scheme is being brought to the market through a collaboration between Relentless Developments and investors KKR, Salboy and Manchester City Council.

The development is separated into two distinct phases, with phase one branded No.1 St Michael’s and comprising nine floors of offices, which is being built by Bowmer & Kirkland, which started back in January 2022.

N02 represents the main build, a 41-storey tower that will be home to a 162-bed, 5-Star international hotel brand plus 217 luxury flats.

Joint investor developer Salboy will see its construction arm Domis deliver the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Hodder + Partners designed project

Neville, director at Relentless Developments, said: “This is an extraordinary scheme that has been no less than 15 years in the making and we believe it to be the most sustainable commercial space in the city.

“We’ve worked so hard to create a development that is distinctive in both its imaginative design and heritage as well as its location connecting the city’s business district with the historic civic quarter. Signing a deal with two of the world’s most reputable law firms and setting a new headline rent as we launch is testament to that.

“Progress is now beginning to accelerate as we approach the latter stages of No.1 and we set our sights on the world-class leisure and residential elements that will be delivered for No.2.”

The scheme in its entirety will complete in early 2027.