Allied opens doors to fire station before redevelopment

Manchester’s long-neglected landmark London Road Fire Station opened its doors to the public for the first time in nearly 30 years on Friday, to showcase Allied London’s plans for the re-use of the historic building.

Visitors explored the central courtyard in the sunshine and delved inside the grand internal spaces of the listed building during the two-hour open day. Allied London opened the building as part of its public consultation exercise before working up detailed plans for hotel, restaurants, apartments and other uses. The developer said the response from the public and businesses so far had been “overwhelming”.

A presentation from Allied London chief executive, Michael Ingall, revealed the preliminary vision for London Road as an important new destination for Manchester, redefining a new doorway to the city.

Ingall commented: “A catalyst for transformation, with a past steeped in heritage and stunning architecture, every single aspect of the project will be of the highest quality. Allied London will use the fabric of the building in its original form to create a new kind of space for Manchester.”

Rebranded simply London Road, the site will be “a place of experience, a voice to London and the rest of the world, with an international collective of world class operators, interesting brands and innovative hospitality.”

Allied’s marketing material went on: “Over five floors, London Road will become ‘One Space’ – one collaborative destination with a multitude of aspects; including a hotel, signature restaurant, destination bar, event/leisure space, workspace, visitor attraction and spa to name but a few. London Road will be a place of experience with curious rooms of intrigue and entertainment, gardens to explore and art and culture that provokes and inspires.”

• See more images and responses from visitors on Twitter here.