Interiors of a typical Staycity aparthotel

A new SimpsonHaugh-designed scheme is set to launch in Manchester, as Staycity revealed that occupancy rates in the city are significantly outperforming the UK average.

Amid growing signs that the UK’s extended-stay market is bouncing back strongly from the pandemic, Staycity has announced that another aparthotel will soon begin trading on the edge of the Northern Quarter area of Manchester.

Manchester prepares to welcome newbuild aparthotel

Staycity Aparthotels Manchester – Northern Quarter will boast 224 studio and one-bed apartments accommodating up to four guests at a time, each featuring fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes. The nine-storey aparthotel, which sits within the city’s New Cross Neighbourhood Development Framework, will also incorporate a 24-hour reception, a Staycafé, a lounge area, a pantry, an exercise room and a guest laundry.

Located at 20 Cable Street on the site of a former car park near the popular Mackie Mayor food hall, the SimpsonHaugh-designed property is owned by Knight Frank Investment Management and has been developed by Catalyst Capital. Irish aparthotel operator Staycity has taken a 25-year lease on the building.

According to the company’s website, Staycity Aparthotels Manchester – Northern Quarter will open on 12 June 2021.

Manchester occupancy rates outpace UK average

This will be Staycity’s second property in Manchester, following on from the successful opening of Staycity Aparthotels – Manchester Piccadilly in May 2017. The business also plans to launch a 256-key scheme, the Oscar Wilde-inspired Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity – Manchester St Peter’s Square, in October.

Staycity revealed that UK occupancy levels have been “climbing as pent-up demand for domestic travel grows” in the wake of the gradual lifting of the UK’s Covid lockdown restrictions. While average occupancy rates in the UK hit 71% in June 2021, Manchester performed particularly well, hitting almost 90% in the same month.

“Manchester is a hugely important location for Staycity with Piccadilly being one of our best-performing properties since it opened,” said Simon Walford, Staycity’s development director UK. “In normal trading times, Manchester has a strong influx of international visitors, and even with the current travel restrictions in place, the city is proving a popular destination for domestic visitors.”

Staycity is pursuing an ambitious growth agenda over the next 18 months, with a further nine properties due to open in the remainder of 2021 and 2022.

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