The founders of Nobu Hospitality – master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and entrepreneur Meir Teper – gathered in Manchester on November 11 to mark the groundbreaking of Nobu Hotel Manchester, a £360 million development that will redefine the city’s skyline.
Slated to open in 2031, the 76-storey tower will rise 246 metres, making it the tallest building in the UK outside of London. The landmark project, a collaboration between Nobu Hospitality and developer Salboy, will feature a Nobu hotel, signature restaurant, bar, event spaces, and the UK’s first Nobu-branded residences.
Manchester’s new icon of luxury living
Located among the site’s original Grade-II listed Victorian viaduct arches, the ground floor will house the new Nobu restaurant, blending the brand’s signature contemporary minimalism with Manchester’s industrial heritage. Above, 160 hotel rooms and 452 private Nobu residences will occupy the tower, offering access to world-class amenities including a spa, swimming pool, podium garden, gym, and in-residence Nobu dining and room service.
At the ceremony, Salboy co-founder Simon Ismail described Manchester as “the number one investment hotspot in Europe,” saying that the project would bring a new level of high-end living to the city.
“The problem we’ve had with the city centre is that we haven’t had anything like this high-end luxury accommodation,” Ismail said. “This takes it to the next level. People who live on the outskirts and can’t get the level of service Nobu provides will want to move into the city and live in these units.”
Fred Done, co-founder of Salboy, reflected on the developer’s vision:
“Ten years ago, we set out to change Manchester’s skyline — and I believe we are doing just that. This is our pièce de résistance. Best in class, best in creativity, the best of the best. It’s fantastic to welcome Nobu to our wonderful city.”
A new era for Nobu and for Manchester
Speaking at the event, Robert De Niro joked that he plans “to still be around” when the tower opens in six years’ time, while Nobu Hospitality CEO Trevor Horwell described the development as “a project that captures the essence of Manchester’s evolution.”
“Manchester is home to world-class developments, a thriving culinary scene, and growing demand for high-end lifestyle experiences,” Horwell said. “None of our locations are cookie cutter — we embrace the spirit of each destination. We’re delighted to bring Nobu’s energy to Manchester.”
Construction will officially begin next year, with sales for Nobu Residences Manchester expected to launch by Q2 2026. When complete, the project will mark a defining moment in Manchester’s emergence as a global destination for luxury living — and another chapter in Nobu’s world of understated sophistication.
