Edwardian Group to create Manchester urban resort
A LANDMARK year for Manchester’s only five star hotel has been crowned by news of “game-changing” investment plans and a clutch of awards.
The Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, which is celebrating 10 years since it opened at the iconic Free Trade Hall building on Peter Street, is on the cusp of a multi-million pound investment plan, which general manager Stephen Miles says will make the property “as good as any you will see in any major city”.
Subject to planning approval, the first of a three phase development and expansion project to take place over the next 18 months will see the Grade II listed property undergo a ground floor facelift with a revamped lobby, new restaurant and bar replacing the current high-end Opus restaurant. The more casual dining space, Steak and Lobster, will be upgraded too.
After this project has been completed, a further 20 bedrooms will be added to the hotel’s south block, including one 10,000 sq ft super suite.
Phases one and two will cost around £1m and £5m respectively, while the third phase is “substantially more ambitious” and involves beginning the project to redevelop the Theatre Royal building next door.
This includes creating an 800 seater conference venue and the addition of a rooftop restaurant – on the top of an additional up to 18 floors of space, which are set to be sold to a private developer for high-quality urban living.
Mr Miles told TheBusinessDesk: “It’s going to be an exciting next 18 months as we create an urban resort in Manchester.
“This is a massive investment and a vote of confidence in Manchester plc. We are absolutely committed to having the best product in the North West, and I believe that is what we will have.
“We won’t need all the space above the Theatre Royal, and we’ll look to sell it for luxury residential use. Whatever we do we’ll have our bar and restaurant on the roof.”
The owner of the property, Edwardian Hotels, which has been ranked as among the 10 best in the world, has appointed the lead architect from global design studio Woods Bagot to work on the Theatre Royal project.
“They were the architect on the Syndey Ivy, and this is a demonstration of our ambition. The footprint of this hotel will be something this city has never seen before. this building will rival what you will see in any major city in the world,” Miles added.
Meanwhile the hotel collected a hat-trick of awards at the Hotel Marketing Awards this week. The hotel’s team won Best PR activity and Best Partnership campaign for their work around the 10th anniversary celebrations, while there was a further accolade for Best Use of Social Media for a Manchester Pride campaign.
