Work starts on bringing landmark Manchester building back to life

London Road fire station

Work has started on renovating one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.

The London Road Fire Station was built in 1906 and has been left standing empty ever since it was closed in 1986.

Britannia Hotels announced in 2015 their intention to sell the listed building opening up the possibility of redevelopment after nearly 30 years of dereliction.

And now Allied London has announced its intention to refurbish the building on the corner of Whitworth Street.

Plans are in place to convert the Edwardian building into a boutique 91-room hotel, offices, apartments, a cinema, a luxury spa and bars and restaurants.

Scaffolding has now been erected across London Road and Fairfield Street ahead of the work to sympathetically repair the site.

The work is being carried out in conjunction with the appointed historic consultant Steve Levrant from Historic Architecture alongside Historic England and Manchester City Council’s conservation team.

Allied London’s historic building surveyor Stephen Ellis, has worked on the project since planning consent was granted.

He said: “Time has been required to understand this heritage asset, explore its values and assess its significance, before we intelligently manage any change.

“We’ve been carrying out detailed surveys and analysis necessary to meet both planning and listed building consent conditions.

“As well as the work being done behind the scenes, we have importantly kept the building maintained and in constant use through various filming activities, tours and events.”

Mark Taylor, director at Watts Group, added: “Watts is delighted to be part of Allied London’s team now moving forward with the restoration of such a prominent building within the context of Manchester’s social and architectural heritage.

“It will be very rewarding to see a building of this quality brought back to life by Allied London.”

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