Hotel Indigo Manchester

Hotel Indigo Manchester embraces a fusion of two very different types of building – the historic existing Grade II listed building connected at each level to the new build 14 storey extension. The interior design sought to connect these two buildings by neither being traditional nor contemporary and there is a seamless flow between them.

Creating a building that perfectly balances modern architecture with old is always challenging and the plans designed for Hotel Indigo Manchester were especially ambitious. Positioned at the gateway to the NOMA development the building aligns and links this area seamlessly with Manchester’s city centre.

The refurbishment and extension has seen the launch of multiple new public spaces – lobby, reception, flexible lounge spaces, 187 guestrooms and Mamucium cafe, restaurant and bar.

Drawing inspiration from Manchester’s Victorian and Industrial past the Hotel is indigenous to the local area so guests are well aware that they are staying at the gateway to the Northern Quarter.

The standout feature internally is the entrance reception with a stunning open atrium space which is filled with natural light and highlights the restored Victorian brickwork and architectural details. Existing elements of timber structure have been enhanced with feature lighting and bespoke fixtures to create an impact for guests and has proved to be a talking point as guests enter the hotel.

The reception lobby features a flexible lounge space which can be used by guests for relaxing or by business users for meetings. The materials used throughout the public areas run throughout the hotel such as timber floors, aged leathers, and industrial style feature lighting and tiled finishes.

Mamucium Restaurant and bar, operated by award winning Chef Andrew Green, sits within the new tower section of the building and seeks to combine the traditional materials of the old building and fusing it with the modern architecture of the interior. The restaurant’s centrepiece is a feature curved bar with fluted leather and brass concave uprights to its frontage, a solid stone top bar and an open theatre kitchen in the heart of the space.

The themes to each guestroom type reference elements of Manchester’s Victorian and Industrial past.

The Press Rooms refer back to Manchester’s literacy and printing days and one of the first newspapers, The Guardian, being printed close to the hotel site. These rooms have details such as typewriter keys for the room numbers, artwork featuring graphic text reminiscent of a printing press and bespoke lamps designed with old books and leathers reflects the materials used in traditional bookbinding methods.

The Arkwright room was named after Richard Arkwright who opened the first cotton mill in Manchester in 1783. The design reflects the textile industry, rich cottons and timbers which were typical of the materials used in this process.

The Tea House room celebrates the local areas numerous tea merchants which populated the city’s streets. The references here are bold with china and rattan features resembling tea chests.

Since the hotel opened in November 2018 the hotel has been warmly received by IHG and customers alike.