Abode

A chance meeting between hotelier Andrew Brownsword and Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines in early 2000 resulted in the purchase of the Royal Clarence in Exeter, a hotel that would become the beginning of a partnership and the launch of the Abode hotel concept.

Abode Manchester is the latest offering from the group that aims to build up a portfolio of 15 properties throughout the UK. With hotels already in place in Exeter, Glasgow and Canterbury, and the first newbuild under construction in Chester, the Manchester site was chosen over London as a growing market to invest in.

Designed by Charles Heathcote, the architectural landmark that is now Abode Manchester has a rich history. Most recently, it was Hotel Rossetti from which a number of elements, including the recently refurbished en suite bathrooms, have been retained.

The redeveloped hotel features 61 loft style guestrooms, and under the direction of the second half of the partnership Michael Caines, a range of food and beverage options. Abode Manchester also marks the launch of the Fabulous brand with the entire fifth floor boasting five Fabulous suites with VIP benefits.

Plumtree Mee was responsible for creating Abode’s boutique style. Director Tim Mason says: “The design brief was to deliver a hallmark Abode product, incorporating all our clients’ signature elements of comfort, practicality, individuality and design flair, whilst maintaining the listed building’s inherent character.”

This character is most evident in the hotel’s main entrance, which was largely a forgotten area previously used as a fire exit. The area was transformed with new solid hardwood half-glazed doors featuring bronze ironmongery. The glazing affords some much needed natural light and provides a view of the original listed tiled walls and solid walnut staircase. A bespoke coordinating walnut Oscar desk was introduced to this area – Oscar being the Abode version of a concierge – together with dimmable track lighting that enhances and warms the decorative wall tiles. Plumtree Mee used these tiles as the inspiration for the rich brown and burnt orange colour palette that is carried throughout the hotel, particularly in the signature carpets.

“Bedrooms were required to incorporate the Abode group standards of lifestyle-comfort, retaining the inherent loft feeling emanating from the exposed steelwork, high ceilings and original parquet flooring,” tells Mason. The three room styles of Comfortable, Desirable, and Enviable feature all the usual mod-cons plus special touches such as Abode chill out music playing as the guest enters the room, quirky artwork from the likes of David Hockney and Yoko One, and ‘ABed of zzzz’s’, another play on Brownsword’s initials.

“Throughout the scheme, wall colours have been kept neutral with a large tonal range, from rich dark browns through to pastel greens and warm off-whites. These serve as a backdrop to the walnut timberwork and earthy soft furnishings accented with citrus colours,” Mason continues.

The Fabulous on Fifth suites are located on the penthouse floor and offer guests loft living with a number of personalised benefits including their own pantry and service team. Their décor is in line with the rest of the hotel and each suite is named after famous artists including the likes of Johnny Cash and Miles Davis.

Plumtree Mee say that “the overall theme is obviously carried through from public areas, giving those guests utilising the hotel’s F&B facilities a total Abode experience.”

Michael Caines is at the helm of all food and beverage facilities at Abode Manchester. The ground floor MC Café Bar is visible from reception through a glass screen and features its own street entrance and external dining space on the main Piccadilly drag. Plumtree Mee retained the bar counter position enhancing the back fitting to incorporate cocktail-style bottle tiers and shelving. An individually designed carpet carries through the Michael Caines trademark colour of orange, this time in a more subtle shade, complemented by the upholstered step-up booth installed along one wall, and cube stools supplied by Geometric Furniture.

“Lighting was a particular challenge in the Café Bar,” explains Mason. “The exposed concrete ceiling and steelwork precluded many traditional solutions and the building’s listed status created further restrictions. This was overcome with the introduction of an oval track with dimmable accent lighting and large pendants to create a focal point over the leather banquette seating.”

Michael Caines’ fine dining restaurant and adjoining Champagne Bar, again with a separate street entrance, is considered the tour-de-force of the refurbishment. Located in the basement it employs dark, rich colours, walnut finishes, and a ceiling raft over the sunken central area which serves to divert the eye from the otherwise intrusive overhead ducting.

Commanding one end of the restaurant are two kidney-shaped booths surrounded by layered voile curtains and backlit with orange LED spotlights for an intimate dining experience. Also within the restaurant, a 12m long wedge-shaped cocktail bar with a natural solid slate top and orange illuminated glass bar front features as a grazing shelf.

A relaxing lounge area forms an offshoot to the main restaurant, its walls graced with a selection of photography from Brian Aris’ portfolio covering pop stars, celebrity weddings and rock concerts.
The basement area also includes a function room known as Eva, suitable for meetings and private dining for up to 24 guests.

Brownsword and Caines’ concept has made certain Abode’s presence in Manchester city centre. The hotel has staked its claim within the group whilst remaining individual thanks to the designer’s development and execution of the proposal, together with a sympathetic approach to the building’s historic nature.

ABODE
107 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB
Tel: +44 (0)161 2477744
www.abodehotels.co.uk
www.michaelcaines.com

Rooms:    61 guestrooms
Food:    Michael Caines Café Bar and             Fine Dining Restaurant
Drink:    Champagne & Cocktail Bar
Facilities:    Private dining and meetings

Words: Catherine Martin

Photography: Steve Todd