The 4*plus hotel, with lounge bar and rooftop terrace, located at the corner of Piccadilly and Newton Street has been approved by Manchester City Council.
The scheme proposes the re-use of a Grade II listed building and an 11-storey new build, which marks the gateway to the Northern Quarter and transformation of a prominent city centre site.
The high-quality, contemporary 4*plus hotel will be operated under the Pestana CR7 brand. It will offer over 150 rooms, with a welcoming ground floor lounge bar and rooftop with external terrace, both for guest and public use. It would see the refurbishment of the Grade II listed 69-75 Piccadilly, a former 19th Century combined office and warehouse building known as the Halls Building. The Piccadilly Tavern, which occupies the ground floor of the listed building will also be refurbished as part of the project and the development is completed through new build elements to the rear and adjacent 67 Piccadilly.
The prominent site is located within the Stevenson Square Conservation Area at a key entry point into Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with frontage onto Piccadilly and along Newton Street. The current building at 67 Piccadilly has been hidden behind hoardings for over a decade due to it being in a state of disrepair. The proposals seek to re-engage this neglected corner with a bold and distinctive design that references the unique character of the Conservation Area through materiality, colour and facade proportions.
Simon Doody, Partner, FCBStudios said,
“The corner site is long overdue for redevelopment and in a prominent position that requires a strong architectural presence. The vaulted archways wrapping around the building offer an honest representation of the repetitive nature of the hotel brief, resulting in a contextual and elegant façade design. This sets the tone for the 4* hotel and transformation of the Piccadilly area.”
Improvements to the public realm are intended to create an open and welcoming space outside the hotel, while establishing a sense of safety at the corner of Piccadilly and Newton Street. The proposed planting of trees and widened footways help to create an active street scene for hotel guests, neighbouring residents and pedestrians passing through.
The scheme was given unanimous approval at Manchester City Council planning committee.