Hotel operator secured for Renaissance site

The hotel operator for the Renaissance site on Manchester’s Deansgate, has been confirmed as Treehouse. Manchester will be the brand’s second UK location after London.

The hotel forms part of the first phase of a £200m redevelopment, which is being brought forward by a Starwood Capital and Property Alliance Group joint venture.

A planning application for the first phase has been submitted.

Alex Russell, managing director, Property Alliance Group, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing Treehouse, one of the most exciting global hotel brands, to Manchester, which will be their second UK location after London. The brand will inject much needed life and personality into this prominent landmark site, changing the perception of the building and driving footfall and activity to the area.

“We’re redeveloping the original hotel tower instead of demolishing and rebuilding, spending £25m to transform it. This will result in significant environmental benefits, generating around 40% less CO2 compared to constructing a new-build hotel of the same size. Treehouse is a brand that is rooted in sustainability which ticks all of the boxes for our vision for the site.”

He added: “Our proposal would fully modernise and radically transform the hotel internally and externally and includes a new top floor restaurant and rooftop terrace for Mancunians and visitors to the city to enjoy.

“With the planning application now submitted, we’re excited to see our plans progress to the next stage. The Renaissance site has remained undeveloped for more than two decades, so we’re now one step closer to completing the final piece of the jigsaw in the city centre renewal masterplan drawn up after the 1996 bomb.”

Treehouse Hotel Manchester will bring new life to the building, incorporating energy and carbon savings along with extensive use of reclaimed and recycled materials in the construction of the building and furniture. The hotel will promote biophilia through the introduction of roof gardens, living green walls and a kitchen garden harvesting rainwater, with honey produced by the hotel’s own rooftop apiary. The building façade will also feature local artists’ murals as an homage to the city and community.

Starwood Capital Group Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht, said: “I’m really excited to launch our second Treehouse Hotel in the UK. Manchester is as much a destination for travelers as a gathering place for its energetic local community. Our Treehouse will introduce a new execution of fun and witty, and provide an imaginative hospitality experience. As a sustainable brand, we will reuse and repurpose the existing building. We are thrilled to set roots in the city of Manchester.”

The site currently includes the former 206-bedroom hotel as well as a vacant office building and car park.