Hotel plan could bulldoze former Co-op building
329-BED FOUR STAR VENUE FOR ‘DETERIORATING STRUCTURE’
THE former Co-op building on Portland Street in Manchester city could be demolished to make way for a new hotel.
An application to the council would see a 329-bed four-star Dalata hotel built on the site, at the corner of Sackville Street.
The existing office - a 50-yearold block at 55 Portland Street would be knocked down to make way for the new development.
There were plans to refurbish the block after plans for a casino and hotel - which are already being built - were given the goahead.
But the owners Property Alliance now want to bulldoze it and build a second hotel.
The plot housed the Co-op until the organisation moved out seven years ago, leaving the block halfempty.
In 2016, approval was given for the building - officially called Telephone House - to be renovated into new office accommodation, with a new hotel and casino next door.
The new plans state: “55 Portland Street no longer caters for the needs of today’s commercial office marketplace.
“The condition of the building is deteriorating and urgently needs intervention to ensure the site can be redeveloped and brought back into active use.
“The proposed scheme achieve this.”
It says operator Clayton - who also have a hotel at Manchester Airport, as well as in Belfast, Cardiff, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, Leeds, London, Manchester Airport and Wexford - will offer ‘a unique personality with a warm welcoming atmosphere and superior service.’
55 Portland Street sits on the edge of a wider area Manchester council wants to see redeveloped, on the edge of the Village, which would see the Chorlton Street bus station demolished and new flats, offices and community space built.
The hotel application adds: “The site is critical in terms of shaping the impression of the city and the wider neighbourhood.
“In its current condition, the application site detracts from this experience.
“The development presents a unique opportunity to deliver growth in the city centre’s economy and ensure this gateway site provides a significant and positive contribution to Manchester’s cityscape.” will