Main contractor Russell WBHO has handed over the scheme, which features the work of Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio and Leach Rhodes Walker, to Dalata Hotel Group.

A major new hotel in the heart of Manchester has moved a step closer to opening.

An ambitious development

The new 329-key Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre is expected to open in January 2022 following practical completion of a 187-week demolition and reconstruction programme. Main contractor Russell WBHO successfully handed over the scheme to Dalata Hotel Group just before Christmas.

This £45m full turnkey project, which involved removing an existing 12-storey office block once occupied by the Co-operative Group on Portland Street and replacing it with a contemporary hotel, is being developed by Property Alliance Group, with funding from Aviva, and Henry Riley attached as the employers agent.

The building was designed by Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio, with Leach Rhodes Walker serving as delivery architect. Both Ridge and Partners and A&B Engineering are behind the building services design, and WSP is responsible for the structural design.

Rising up 18 storeys high, this towering hotel has been constructed using precast panels with a Portland stone-style façade, which were made offsite to improve safety and efficiency while also reducing waste. The building holds Breeam Very Good status.

“The new Clayton Manchester is an exceptional addition to our portfolio,” said Paul Maloney, development construction manager of Dalata. “We hope that our guests will love the impressive welcome of the triple-height atrium, the contemporary design of the building and its rooms, the variety of amenities and the high-specification finish evident throughout.

“The care and attention to detail of the design and construction teams has been second to none and their ability to deliver on programme considering everything that has happened over the last two years is nothing short of remarkable.”

A hub for business and leisure travellers

This property, set to become one of Dalata Hotel Group’s flagship buildings, will introduce the Clayton Hotels brand to central Manchester. Aimed at both business and leisure travellers, it’s ideally located for guests wanting to explore shops, offices and entertainment venues in one of the UK’s biggest cities.

Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre is distinguished by its triple-height reception area and impressive amenities, including a state-of-the-art conference floor and public spaces like No 55 Restaurant & Bar across the building’s first three floors.

Will Clark from Property Alliance Group said: “The project team has done a sterling job delivering the building before Christmas as planned and the building looks absolutely fantastic. We knew the site would be the perfect location for a hotel of this calibre and it will, I’ve no doubt, become an incredibly popular choice for Manchester visitors.”

Gareth Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, added: “The successful delivery of this £45m scheme on time and on budget, despite the challenges of the busy city centre site and the unexpected curveball thrown by Covid, is something the whole project team should be proud of.”

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