ISG announces Corn Exchange project
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensberry Real Estate to transform Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four star boutique hotel.
The project involves the refurbishment of levels 2-5 of the building, creating a 114-guestroom aparthotel for operator Roomzzz. The scheme is the second phase of a wider £30 million investment to develop the building as a major leisure destination, and follows the refurbishment of the ground and first floor levels as restaurant and bar accommodation, all of which will remain operational throughout the project’s duration.
Commencing in mid-August, the scheme sees ISG carrying out remedial works to the roof structure, as well as the installation of a cantilevered scaffold system at first floor level. ISG will then make significant structural alterations to the building’s floor slabs to introduce new service risers to accommodate the hotel’s modern mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
The layout of Roomzzz Manchester Corn Exchange uses a combination of existing brick walls and new partitioning to create four room types, from modern apartments to luxurious penthouses – all of which incorporate a fully equipped kitchen. The specification includes high-quality tiling and floor finishes, with feature wall graphics. Amongst the most luxurious ‘Liberty rooms’ is a guest suite in the building’s turret, accessed via a new spiral staircase.
Guest facilities will also include a gym, lounge and a grab and go breakfast area. ISG will create a number of management suites and conserve and restore three architecturally listed stair cores to create an eye-catching historical feature within the hotel.
Andy McLinden, ISG’s Northern managing director, comments: “The former Corn Exchange in Manchester is a very special and much-loved building and its latest evolution builds on the growing trend for hybrid guest accommodation in the city. This is a high-profile showcase of our capabilities delivering luxury hotel accommodation in a logistically challenging and busy city centre location, with the added complexity of working in an architecturally protected building. It’s a great challenge and an environment where we positively thrive as a business and there is a great deal of anticipation to get underway with the transformation of this iconic Manchester landmark.”
