Construction of the new £45m Clayton Hotel in Portland Street, which is being brought forward by Property Alliance Group, has reached an important milestone. Manchester main contractor Russell WBHO has topped out the 18-storey building and, despite the impact of the pandemic, is still on programme for completion by the end of 2021.
The new four-star offering from hotel operator Dalata Hotel Group (“Dalata”) will be 18 storeys plus basement, comprising 329 bedrooms across floors 3-18. The ground and first two floors will house the vast reception area and bar, the hotel restaurant, gym, meeting rooms and commercial kitchen.
Appointed by Alliance, Russell WBHO is providing a full turn key service – demolition, construction, installation and full fit-out – and will hand over the hotel complete with all fixtures and fittings, ready for opening before Christmas.
Will Clarke, project manager at Alliance, said: “Portland Street is a great location for Dalata’s first entry to the Manchester city centre market. The Clayton will be at the heart of the action, with key transport links, night life and numerous cultural quarters just a stones’ throw from the front door, providing the ideal spot for corporate events, overnight stays and holiday makers.”
The Topping out was marked by the project team on site without any of the usual fanfare due to lockdown restrictions. But Gareth Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, felt it was important to recognise the efforts of the whole project team.
He said: “Despite the challenges of the last year, the project remains on programme thanks to the commitment of everyone involved. Our site team has adapted to the new working conditions, embracing technologies and techniques to help keep the project on track, and I want to take the opportunity to celebrate that achievement at this key milestone.”
The hotel will create 140 new jobs when it opens and is Dalata’s second Clayton Hotel in the city, the first being at Manchester Airport, with two Maldron Hotels in the pipeline for 2022.
Paul Maloney, Development Construction Manager from Dalata, said: “We are really pleased with the progress of our new 4-Star Clayton Hotel in Manchester city centre, which is on plan for a pre-Christmas launch. The co-ordination of the team has meant that we have remained on schedule, and the quality of work has been excellent throughout.
“As one of three new Clayton Hotels opening across the UK over the next year, Portland Street will be a unique property, with three storeys of amenity space and an impressive triple height entrance.
“It is thanks to Russells and the design and engineering teams that we were able to achieve 18 storeys and create the space needed to accommodate the range of facilities that will make the Clayton Manchester the go-to option for business and leisure customers alike.”
The development is being funded by Aviva, with Henry Riley acting as the Employers Agent. Designed by Stephenson Studio and Leach Rhodes Walker, the building services design is from Ridge and Partners and A & B Engineering, while WSP is responsible for the structural design.