An ‘eyesore’ hotel in Manchester will finally be redeveloped after decades of trying.
On Tuesday (February 28), planners gave the go-ahead for a new apartment block to be built on the site of the Renaissance Hotel, on Deansgate — nearly 27 years after plans were assembled to breathe new life into the area. Those blueprints were drawn up in the wake of the 1996 IRA bombing of the city, and multiple attempts to redevelop the hotel have failed to get off the ground since.
One notable ploy to fail was thwarted by the 2008 financial crash. However, the Property Alliance Group (PAG) and Starwood Capital (SC) appear to have succeeded where others have failed.
Tuesday’s planning approval is the third and final element in the £210mregeneration of the hotel. Already, developers have the green light to open a Treehouse Hotel and a ‘stunning’ office block. Now, work can begin on the ‘luxury’ 300-home apartment building, which will be called One Cathedral Square.
The 27-storey residential building, designed by Jon Matthews Architects, will provide a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including four penthouse apartments, all offering views across the city. There will also be 32 resident car parking spaces and cycle spaces for every flat.
“We are delighted to have now been awarded the go ahead for both the office and residential elements of our masterplan at Renaissance,” said Alex Russell, CEO, Property Alliance Group. “We have a strong and dedicated team behind the delivery of One Cathedral Square.
“Following the completion and success of our best-in-class city centre apartment schemes, Oxygen and Axis, we anticipate high demand for these exclusive homes in a key district in Manchester that is set for an exciting revival.”
Works are due to commence on this third phase later this year, whilst the office scheme which was granted planning in January 2023, has now commenced on site.
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