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Sweet dreams are made of this: Boutique hotel chain get go-ahead to transform Grade II-listed Manchester building

Luxury chain Eclectic Hotels have been granted permission to transform a 140-year-old office building into a 40-room boutique hotel in the city centre.

Built in 1874, the Grade II-listed building on 8-10 Booth Street will undergo a huge renovation and is expected to take around a year to complete. It is due to open in early 2015.

Located near Manchester Town Hall, it will be the fifth in a chain of boutique hotels and will be called Kingstreet Townhouse.

Owned by Eamonn and Sally O’Loughlin, Eclectic Hotels currently operates four hotels in Manchester city centre, Didsbury and Salford’s MediaCityUK.


BOUTIQUE CHIC: One of Eclectic Hotels other rooms elsewhere in Manchester

Work on the transformation, designed by AEW Architects, will begin in the coming months to create a haven of 40 bedrooms and suites.

The hotel will also incorporate its very own King Street Tavern, providing a high-class bar, restaurant and wine cellar, as well as afternoon tea rooms and a conference and event space for up to 300 people.

Besides enjoying the pleasures of the gym and spa treatment rooms, guests will also be able to take in the views of the spires and clock tower of Manchester Town Hall from the rooftop infinity spa pool.

Originally built for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank, the building was designed by local architect Edward Salomons and has been used until recently as offices.

Salomons also designed the nearby Manchester Reform Club on King Street.

With a wealth of knowledge in respectfully converting historic buildings, the group has already refurbished Didsbury House & Eleven Didsbury Park, which were both previously Victorian Villas.

Eamonn said: “We have worked closely with Manchester City Council and our design team to create a luxury townhouse hotel with in the King Street conservation area.

“We are very grateful to the city’s planning department for their support and guidance.

“I remain heavily involved in the project on a daily basis to ensure the concept we have devised is made a reality and hopefully welcomed by the public.”


BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: Artists impression of the renovated building

Although reluctant to give away too many details of the interior designs, Sally said: “The design of King Street townhouse will be distinctive and although our ‘Eclectic’ style will be evident, the new hotel will have its own identity, just as the identity of Great John Street and our Didsbury hotels are so very different.”

“King Street Townhouse is set to be both impressive and intimate in style.”

As a result of the renovation, the luxury hotel will also create around 70 jobs.

Recruitment for a general manager and senior team is now underway. Applicants can send their CV to [email protected].

To keep up to date with the hotel’s redevelopment go to www.kingstreetownhouse.co.uk

Main image via google maps, with thanks

Article image via Eamonn and Sally O’Loughlin, with thanks

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