Manchester main contractor Russell WBHO has handed over the city’s newest hotel to the Dalata Hotel Group. The 329-bedroom Clayton Hotel in Portland Street is set to open early in the new year following completion of the 187-week demolition and construction programme.
The 18-storey tower was built using precast panels with a Portland stone-style façade, which were manufactured off site and installed using a centrally positioned tower crane. The off-site method improves efficiency, increases safety, and reduces waste.
The building achieves BREEAM Very Good, chiefly through the use of off-site manufacture to produce highly thermally-efficient wall panels made under factory conditions which reduces materials waste. The site was previously home to a 12-storey office block which was removed under a year-long controlled demolition phase, part of the overall £45m full turnkey project.
Paul Maloney, development construction manager from Dalata, said: “The new Clayton Manchester is an exceptional addition to our portfolio. We hope that our guests will love the impressive welcome of the triple height atrium, the contemporary design of the building and its rooms, the variety of amenities and the high specification finish evident throughout.
“The care and attention to detail of the design and construction teams has been second to none and their ability to deliver on programme considering everything that has happened over the last two years is nothing short of remarkable.”
The completion brings the Clayton Hotel brand to Manchester city centre for the first time. Set to be one of Dalata Hotel Group’s flagship buildings, Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre impresses with a striking triple height reception area, state-of-the-art conference floor, and stunning public areas featuring No. 55 Restaurant & Bar, all across the first three storeys.
The scheme was developed by Property Alliance Group, funded by Aviva, with Henry Riley acting as the Employers Agent. Designed by Stephenson Studio, Leach Rhodes Walker is the delivery architect. The building services design is from Ridge and Partners and A & B Engineering, while WSP is responsible for the structural design.
Will Clark from Property Alliance Group said: “The project team has done a sterling job delivering the building before Christmas as planned and the building looks absolutely fantastic. We knew the site would be the perfect location for a hotel of this calibre and it will, I’ve no doubt, become an incredibly popular choice for Manchester visitors.”
Ideal for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel is located in the heart of Manchester’s shopping, office and entertainments districts, not far from both Piccadilly and Oxford Road train stations. The building is within easy access of China Town, Manchester’s Gay Village, the Northern Quarter’s bars and restaurants, and the central shopping streets.
Gareth Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, added: “The successful delivery of this £45m scheme on time and on budget, despite the challenges of the busy city centre site and the unexpected curveball thrown by Covid, is something the whole project team should be proud of.”
