Projects / Kimpton Clocktower Manchester

Client
IHG / Starwood Capital Group
Project description
Refurbishment of the former Refuge Assurance Building in Manchester, which is a Grade II* Listed Building designed by Alfred Waterhouse and built in 1895.
The hotel has undergone a wholesale restoration in order to redefine the “old dame” both historically and as a lifestyle hotel. The works have included the restoration of the 1000 person Grand Ballroom, redevelopment of the original banking hall as a thriving bar and restaurant destination curated by the local Manchester team behind the award winning Volta bar, as well as the remodelling of 272 bedrooms.
Innovations & added value
Our work on the Hotel (formerly the Palace Hotel) sought to strip back poor interventions made in the 1990’s and reposition it as a Lifestyle Hotel worthy of the buildings history and character. In the former Refuge Assurance hall we created a new Winter Garden as the central focus of the space, surrounded by a new bar, restaurant and den, enabling the space to be used as an “all day offer”. One of the key moves was improving circulation routes around the 4 separate buildings that make up the hotel and reorganising the different uses throughout the building to provide a more effective use of the front of house spaces and ultimately improve the guest experience.
Interior Designers
Michaelis Boyd
Status
Completed
Awards
2017 BD Architect of the Year Awards, Refurbishment Architect of the Year (Winner)
2017 Gold Key Award (USA), Best Hotel Upscale (Winner)
2017 Gold Key Award (USA), Best Guestroom Upscale (Winner)
2017 International Property Awards, Best Hotel Interior UK (Winner)
2017 London Design Awards Interior Design – Hospitality ‘The Refuge by Volta’ (Silver Winner)
2017 UK Property Awards, Hotel Interior, North of England (Winner)
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