Allied unveils Manchester Grande hotel concept

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said he wants to create a US-style event hotel for Manchester at the former Granada headquarters off Quay Street next to Spinningfields.

The Manchester Grande will contain 200 suites, four restaurants and large performance spaces for nightly shows.

Ingall said: "With the development of St Johns [on the old Granada studios site], we're creating a new neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester. A place that distinguishes itself by its unique cultural history, diverse mix of inhabitants, rich context and its position at the crossroads of Manchester's network.

"The Manchester Grande event hotel fits perfectly with this vision. The first of its kind in the UK, the hotel is being modelled on the likes of the hotels in New York, Miami and the Far East, where the focus is on food and beverage as well as nightly events including major performance, music, film, theatre and arts and club events.

"The hotel will bring to life the four purpose-built integral former sound-proofed studios, where the Beatles played their first ever live TV performance. The purpose-built production green rooms, dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms will be incorporated into the hotel and entertainment complex."

Construction of the hotel and event complex could begin in 2016, Ingall added, following a formal planning process. Manchester Grande will form a key part of the first phase of development of St Johns.

Each hotel suite will have a covered winter garden balcony and complementary access to that night's entertainment, depending on the package they buy.

As part of the planned hotel development, a new link will be created by removing the existing solid building that joins the Granada office buildings on Atherton Street. In its place a glazed link will be built creating a new vista that will visually link St John's Quarter through to Great John Street and beyond.

A planning application will be submitted by the end of the year. Allied London intends to retain ownership of the complex and work with partners to deliver each component of the project.

Levitt Bernstein Associates has been appointed as architect.