Cookson partners with Hilton on £60m self-titled Manchester hotel

Oliver Cookson, the founder of MyProtein, has teamed up with the hotel giant on the redevelopment of the former Shena Simon campus and will name the hotel after himself.

The Oliver on Chorlton Street in Manchester will become part of Hilton’s Curio Collection and will provide 167 rooms within the 115,000 sq ft grade two-listed former college building.

The £60m project will also feature a gym, destination restaurant, and premium wellbeing facilities, according to Cookson’s family office.

Cookson, who bought the Shena Simon Campus from Manchester College owner LTE Group last year, said the project is his way of giving back to Manchester.

“Manchester made me who I am. This city gave me my work ethic, my ambition and my belief that anything is possible when you back yourself.

“Investing back into Manchester through my family office isn’t just business — it’s personal. I’ve always wanted to contribute to the city’s future while protecting the character and history that make it special.”

He added: “The Oliver will be a hotel that feels exciting, welcoming and full of personality, and partnering with Hilton and the Curio Collection brand on our family office’s first hotel venture is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

Apart from a brief stint as a military hospital during World War One, the grade two-listed Shena Simon campus has always been used for education.

Its conversion into a hotel will be delivered by CERT Property, which has collaborated with Cookson on a pair of residential projects in the city centre.

The hotel would be Hilton’s first Curio in the North of England. The collection comprises upscale hotels across the world, often within heritage buildings, in cities including Naples, New York, and Doha.

The project team for The Oliver comprises EPR Architects, planner Enabl, interior designer Incognito, Layer Studio on landscapes, and Civic Engineers on structure.

OFR, Marketaylor, and Levrant are also instructed on the scheme.