MEPC unveils NOMA hotel plans
The 14-storey New Century House will be transformed into an “upscale” hotel, the next major project to come forward within the Manchester district.
MEPC is searching for an operator for the hotel scheme, which will see the grade two-listed modernist building brought back into use.
Built in the 1960s for the Co-operative Insurance Society, it was latterly used as the headquarters of The Co-operative Group until 2013.
The proposed hotel could provide up to 196 bedrooms and feature a roof terrace and bar. Conference and leisure facilities would be created in the basement.
The news of the hotel comes hot on the heels of MEPC securing the largest letting in Manchester for several years. BNY Mellon has signed to occupy the entire 200,000 sq ft 4 Angel Square.
Dan Hyde, development director at MEPC, developer and asset manager at NOMA said the project is a “natural next step” for the district.
“New Century House is a Manchester landmark and we believe now is the right time to bring it back to life as a hotel,” he said.
“It’s a natural next step for our growing neighbourhood with the building located either side of BNY at 4 Angel Square and the destination venue of New Century Hall.”
The hotel would feature a roof terrace. Credit: via Influential
Jenics is supporting MEPC with the search for an operator.
Jeremy Collins, director at Jenics added: “Manchester has huge international visitor pull thanks to its global connectivity, world-leading universities and sporting and cultural assets. New Century House is a rare and outstanding opportunity and will be a tremendous addition to Manchester’s visitor economy offer, both from a business and leisure perspective.”
“NOMA has adopted a flexible approach to secure a ‘best fit’ occupier by way of either a virtual freehold sale or lease disposal. This approach will drive positive interest from a range of operators.”
A planning application for the scheme is expected in the coming months.
Hopefully the glazing is replaced as whilst I appreciate the Grade II listing you can’t really have “upscale” with the state of how that looks on the outside. By all means replicate the framework but mirrored glazing is not an architectural relic to cherish..
By Anonymous
Good news on New Century House, but what about the adjacent CIS building which has remained empty and unloved for several years?
By Francis
“Upscale” – what a dreadful word. As bad as “high end”.
Still, good luck to MEPC in an important part of the city which will benefit from the improvement.
By Anonymous
Have always thought New Century House would be ideal as a hotel, but how will this work with the New Century Hall behind and the food hall below, which is effectively the same building and has already been hived off? Or was this only a short-term use and this is where the conference and leisure will end up?
Agree with Francis that it’s a shame the former Co-op Bank building adjacent isn’t included, as it has good spaces on the ground floor which could be used as a grand foyer and for food and beverage.
By Anonymous