Manchester Moxy on site after long wait

Marriott has started construction of a Moxy Hotel on the edge of Spinningfields, a 145-bedroom building that will be the first Moxy branded hotel in the city.

Demolition contractor GA is on site at Atkinson Street, with a steel frame erected to support the facade of listed Invicta House, which is being retained as part of the project.

The scheme was previously brought forward by Henry Boot Developments, which secured Moxy as the operator, with the site owned by KE Hotels (Manchester).

The development features a 35,000 sq ft steel-clad extension on a concrete frame, sitting behind the building’s existing façade.

Planning permission was first secured for the redevelopment and extension of the 15,000 sq ft Invicta House as an office known as Silk Works, but in 2017 Henry Boot opted for a change-of-use into a 130-bedroom hotel.

The current scheme provides for a 145-room hotel operated by Moxy, a Marriott brand.

A start on site has been awaited for some time. Bardsley was previously lined up as main contractor for the £15m project, and a November 2018 start targeted. However throughout 2019 there was no further activity, and Bardsley entered administration in December.

Gilbert Ash has now been appointed the main contractor and ICA is the architect for the scheme.

The Moxy brand was launched in 2016 by Marriott, described as “a millennial-focused boutique concept” designed for “fun-hunter travellers”.

It made its debut at Aberdeen International Airport the same year, where Henry Boot Developments is also delivering the £330m Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre. Moxy is also open in Chester, and last year gained consent for its first Liverpool outlet at Renshaw Hall.