Manchester city centre to get Japanese style hotel

A CGI of the proposed scheme

One of Japan’s biggest hotel brands has revealed plans for its first UK hotel in Manchester city centre.

Toyoko Inn specialises in stylish yet affordable business hotels conveniently located in some of the world’s largest cities.

With a strong footprint in its home country, Toyoko Inn has expanded across Asia and has recently launched its first European hotels in Frankfurt and Marseille. The Manchester Piccadilly hotel will be its first UK opening.

Toyoko Inn’s proposals for the site at 12-16 Piccadilly include the construction of a 22-storey building providing around 350 rooms, integrated with a sensitive refurbishment of the adjacent Grade II-listed Union Bank Building.

Planning permission for a 22-storey hotel on this site was previously granted in 2013.

Since acquiring the site in 2014, Toyoko Inn has been working to refine the plans.

The design, being led by Manchester-based Stephenson Studio, will seek to preserve as much of the exterior architecture and unique appearance of the Union Bank Building as possible.

This will combine with the modern look of the new building.

A refreshed planning application, being prepared by GVA HOW Planning, will be submitted in the next few weeks, with construction targeted to begin in early 2019.

Mr Tamaki Hashimoto, project lead at Toyoko Inn, said: “Our concept of modern, Japanese-style inns located near railway stations has led to rapid growth inside Japan, and worldwide expansion.

“We are looking to expand further in Europe, building on the success of our first European hotel in Frankfurt.

“We have chosen Manchester for our first UK hotel because it is one of the UK’s flagship cities with growing visitor numbers.

“We are confident our brand will appeal to the growing number of visitors to Manchester from the Far East, as well as a more local customer base of business travellers looking for a ‘feel at home’ atmosphere.”

He added: “Our vision is to create a high quality, sustainable and responsibly-managed development that contributes positively to the vibrancy and quality of the local area.

“We are committed to recruiting all of our staff from Manchester, which is just one element of our policy to contribute to and work hand-in-hand with the local community in which our hotel belongs.”

Toyoko Inn properties do not provide a restaurant facility, providing guests with the opportunity to visit the restaurants, cafés and bars in the neighbouring areas, enjoying the atmosphere of Manchester city centre, while supporting local businesses.

A breakfast room will be provided within the hotel, offering quick and convenient options.

In advance of the submission of a planning application, people who live or work close to the site are being invited to attend a consultation event next Wednesday, July 18, at the Holiday Inn, Manchester City Centre, on Aytoun Street, from 4pm to 6:45pm.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close