Next stage nears in £30m Corn Exchange revamp
Work is due to begin next month on the installation of a 114-bedroom aparthotel in Manchester’s grade two-listed Corn Exchange, the final element of a £30m restoration delivered by owner Aviva Investors.
The first phase of the scheme, led by developer Queensberry Real Estate, was completed in August 2015, and saw the original trading floor of the building converted from a shopping centre into a dining destination with 17 restaurants operating out of the glazed dome.
The second phase will see Roomzzz operate a hotel out of second to the fifth floors, following the completion of pre-construction works which will finish the removal of fittings and make the structure watertight.
Most recently used as offices, the strip out of the upper floors revealed original elements such as fireplaces in rooms from an earlier 40-bed hotel, Exchange Hotel, which once occupied the Cathedral corner of the building.
The hotel will be accessed via the main entrance on Exchange Square, into the restored Victorian tiled lobby with grand staircase. The rooms will look out over the Corn Exchange’s glazed atrium, as well as out into Exchange Square and Cathedral Quarter.
Roomzzz is due to open at the end of 2017. ISG is the contractor, and 5plus is the architect.
Rhys Westacott, 5plus associate director, said: “Corn Exchange is a very complex building, there are seven different levels and 13 separate staircases, and the challenge has been to make best use of the space while preserving its unique character.”
Andrew Coles from Aviva said: “Manchester Corn Exchange has a rich commercial heritage and the new Corn Exchange has re-captured this vision, destination focused on great restaurants and a fantastic leisure offer.
“The whole ethos of the planned refurbishment and development from Aviva was to enhance the building’s unique character, soul and integrity and future proof its standing as a key city landmark.”
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