Double handover for Motel One and Staycity

Manchester city centre is to host two new hotel openings this February after main contractor Russell WBHO completed their hybrid tower at 3 St Peter’s Square.

Date:
14th Feb 2022
Category:
- Hotel & Accommodation

Motel One will launch its new 328 bedroom hotel, which is located on the lower eight floors of the 20 storey building. Sitting above that are the 256 studio and one bedroom apartments from Staycity which will be Manchester’s first Wilde Aparthotel.

Motel One manager Sean McFall and Staycity manager Marie England joined Russell WBHO project manager Joe Rawlinson and Property Alliance Group director Victoria Russell [pictured] to celebrate the handover.

The £50m contract was delivered following a 186 week programme which started with the controlled demolition of the old Peterloo House office block in March 2018. The project provided training opportunities for 32 apprentices including eight Russell WBHO Building Student trainees.

Gareth Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, said: “We’re pleased to handover 3 St Peter’s Square to Motel One and Staycity, and mark completion of another successful project despite the complexities of balancing requirements for two different operators within the same building, alongside the challenges of the site’s location and the Covid pandemic.

“It is testament to the collaborative efforts of the architects, engineers, sub-contractors, clients’ representatives, developer, funder and the Russell WBHO team who have, together, delivered another excellent addition to Manchester’s visitor offering.”

This is the third Motel One Russell WBHO has built for the German-based design-hotel brand, adding to the 632 rooms previously delivered at its Piccadilly and Royal Exchange sites.

Area manager Sean McFall said: “We’re thrilled with the hotel, it’s stunning and we’re very excited to start welcoming customers through the doors. Demand for rooms within Manchester has returned and this trend is expected to continue throughout the year, so the addition of Motel One St Peter’s Square couldn’t come at a better time.”

Inspired by the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, Dublin-based Staycity’s super stylish Wilde Aparthotels brand provides a high-end combination of self-catering and hotel services, with fully-equipped kitchens, a 24-hour reception, gym, and lounge areas. It is Manchester’s first Wilde Aparthotel and expands Staycity’s existing 400+ room portfolio in the city.

Manager Marie England said: “We’re delighted to bring the Wilde brand to Manchester and offer something truly unique in this market. We’re on track for a February 14th opening and myself and the team are looking forward to welcoming our first guests to enjoy a stylish home-from-home stay here at St Peter’s Square.”

The scheme was developed by Property Alliance Group, funded by Royal London Asset Management, with Baker Hollingworth acting as the Employers Agent. Designed by Stephenson Studio, Leach Rhodes Walker is the delivery architect, building services are from CE2 while WSP is responsible for the structural design.

Property Alliance Group director Ella Magill added: “The potential for a hotel development in this site was clear and it is very satisfying to see not one but two operators shared that view. We have to thank RLAM for their vision in funding the scheme, and the contractor for delivering this superb building despite all of the challenges of the last two years.”