UK: A 1920s warehouse on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter could be demolished to make way for a Zoku aparthotel.
The warehouse was built in the 1920s for a shoe manufacturer but has been empty for 20 years, during which time it has fallen into a state of disrepair.
Developer Tibst, a joint venture between Salboy and Factory Estates, has submitted a full planning application to Manchester City Council to demolish the existing buildings on land bounded by Back Turner Street, Soap Street, Shudehill and High Street to make way for an aparthotel rising up to 13 storeys high. Salboy is a privately owned equity investment company whose directors include Betfred co-founder Fred Done.
The proposed new-build would be occupied by Amsterdam-based aparthotel operator Zoku.
A design and access statement in support of the scheme has been prepared by 5plus Architects.
It said: “The brief for the building was to develop a high-quality designed hotel, meeting the commercial requirements, whilst respecting the scale and character of the Northern Quarter. A key driver within the brief was that the development must also provide a point of difference against the common residential stock, addressing its gateway position within Shudehill and the Northern Quarter.
“The future occupier, an apartment-hotelier in Amsterdam named Zoku, has been involved throughout the design process, and consequently the proposed building has been designed with their specific requirements from the outset to bring a new, unique and exciting hotel model to the city.”
However design consultants Places Matter, whose opinion was sought as part of the design process, raised concerns, saying: “The panel expressed its surprise that Historic England had chosen not to review the scheme. Whilst the building does appear to be in a poor state of repair, the side elevations of the property show some quality.”
The proposals will be considered by members of Manchester council’s planning committee in the next few months.</p
