Milestone achieved at 3 St Peter’s Square

Topping Out has been celebrated at 3 St Peter’s Square, the new £50m building for Motel One and Staycity Aparthotel from Property Alliance Group. Main contractor Russell WBHO and representatives from the hotel brands joined Alliance and funder Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) to mark the occasion on the roof of the 20-storey new build.

Installation of the roof over the last few weeks, following the precision removal of the 78m tower crane last month, signalled completion of the building envelope. Internal fit-out is already progressing with most of the Motel One section almost completed, and the turnkey project remains on track for an autumn 2021 handover.

A brief, socially-distanced ceremony was held on the roof overlooking One and Two St Peter’s and Manchester’s civic buildings beyond.

On the site of the former Peterloo House, the new building was designed by Stephenson Studio with Leach Rhodes Walker as delivery architect. The decorative pre-cast concrete façade is similar in tone to the neighbouring One and Two St Peter’s Square, creating an attractive vista opposite the Town Hall extension and Central Library.

Alex Russell, managing director of Alliance, said: “This was a site that was originally earmarked for new office space, but our appraisals identified the huge potential for a hotel. An iconic location within the city centre, at the heart of the historic civic quarter and surrounded by all the entertainments Manchester has to offer, 3 St Peter’s offers an excellent setting for visitors.

“We are very pleased that Russell WBHO has been able to keep the site open throughout the last few months. The team has done a great job to keep the project on track and ensure it is delivered on time for our partners RLAM, Motel One and Staycity.”

Gareth Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, said: “3 St Peter’s is looking fantastic in its setting, and we were pleased to welcome our clients to tour the site and mark a significant milestone in the project.

“Despite the disruption of recent months and the challenges posed by the site’s extremely tight location in the middle of a very busy part of town, the project remains on programme for a 2021 handover. This event provides an excellent opportunity for us to thank the whole project team for their hard work over the last two years.”

Andrew Johnston attended on behalf of RLAM, he said: “RLAM has previously worked with Russell WBHO and Property Alliance Group on a number of other successful projects in Manchester and it’s exciting to see this striking development reach this milestone stage.

“Once completed, the hotel and aparthotel will offer visitors excellent accommodation options in one of the best locations in the city. We look forward to working with both Motel One and Staycity in what will be our first relationship with each company.”

The ground floor up to the 8th storey will house 328 Motel One rooms, with amenity areas at street level. Floors nine to 20 will feature 256 studio and one bedroom units for apart-hotel operator Staycity under its premium Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity brand.

“As one of Europe’s leading aparthotel operators, with over 3,000 apartments across 12 destinations, Manchester is an important destination for us. As one of the UK’s most vibrant, happening places the city is a great match for the Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity brand, which offers guests a unique blend of home and hotel inspired by the wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde,” commented Simon Walford, Staycity Development Director UK & Italy.

And Daniel Müller, Co-CEO Motel One, added: “We’re pleased to be welcoming our third property in Manchester. As one of the UK’s most dynamic cities, it is a great fit for our brand and visitors will now have the choice of three uniquely designed and affordable Motel One hotels.”