The Godfather and Taxi Driver star Robert De Niro was in Manchester yesterday to launch the Nobu hotel and restaurant brand’s first UK venture outside London in what will soon be the city’s new tallest skyscraper.
The double Oscar-winner is a key investor behind the Nobu Manchester building which, once constructed by developer Salboy, will be operated by Nobu Hospitality, a company co-owned by the Hollywood star.
The 76-storey building, next to the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, will include 452 apartments, a high-end restaurant and a 160-bedroom hotel.
Confirming the project would take six years to complete, De Niro said said he was “proud to be part” of Manchester, and that the “creative, passionate and strong” city, which he wasn’t previously overly familiar with, had “real character.”
“I look forward to coming back when it is finished, if not before,” said the 82-year-old star. “I think it is going to take six years and I plan to be around.”
Once finished, the 807ft (246m) tower featuring swimming pool, spa, gym and a garden, will be the UK’s tallest building outside London.
De Niro added: “I haven’t seen the city yet but I’d like to come back. Everyone is very nice, we’re having a very nice time.”
The skyscraper has been designed by architect Ian Simpson, of Beetham Tower (formerly the Manchester Deansgate Hilton, now Deansgate Hotel) fame.
Developer Salboy is the creation of Salford’s Betfred bookmaker Fred Done, and has already built a number of high-profile projects in the city, while the Nobu brand was launched by De Niro with film producer Meir Taper and celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, with its first restaurant opening in New York in 1994. They have since expanded their hospitality empire to dozens of cities around the world.
Nobu’s second UK location in Manchester will open around 35 years after its UK debut in London.
Salboy managing director Simon Ismail said: “Manchester’s been booming for over 10 years now and the population just continues to grow.
“To entice the likes of Nobu and what they bring in terms of quality and brand and exposure – it’s enormous and I think this is a catalyst to really push on and do more in the city.
The planned Nobu Manchester scheme will also feature a second building on Great Bridgewater Street, which will stand at 23 storeys tall and have 133 apartments aimed at the affordable homes market.
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig, who also attended the groundbreaking event, added: “It’s not everyday you watch Robert De Niro take out an apartment in Deansgate is it?”
“It is a boost – we’ve said for a long time we wanted to be a world-class city and if you want to be a world-class city you’ve got to get global names. The fact we are seeing global names, not just actors but global businesses, that only go to cities where they will be successful is a big boost for Manchester.”
