Piccadilly Basin hotel granted planning permission

A 137-bedroom hotel to be operated under the Dakota Deluxe brand has been approved for a 0.6-acre plot off Ducie Street in Manchester city centre.

After a debate over the loss of the car park which currently occupies the site, the project from Leeds-based developer Evans Property Group was approved by Manchester City Council’s planning committee at its meeting on Thursday 6 April.

Evans purchased the site from Town Centre Securities last year. The hotel is the developer’s first project in Manchester.

The Dakota Deluxe is billed by Evans as a “luxury” hotel, and was a concept developed by hotelier Ken McCulloch, founder of Malmaison Hotels, in partnership with Evans. McCulloch remains involved with the company.

The brand places a strong emphasis on a high-end food and drink offering; the hotel will also feature a 130-cover restaurant, alongside a lounge, bar, and separate champagne bar.

The hotel was designed by KPP Architects. The public realm was designed by Re-form Landscape Architecture.

Dakota is targeting a start on site by the end of 2017, and an opening date of 2019.