Getting started

Having gained a loyal following after the launch of their first three eco-friendly hotels in London, Amsterdam and Brussels, Qbic approached us to develop their next site in Deansgate, Manchester. The task was converting a 1960s office building into a 261-key hotel featuring pet-friendly rooms with king-sized beds, gym, five private meeting rooms and ‘Motley’ F&B venue – an 180-cover, all-day restaurant serving low-mileage and in-season produce. The entire hotel design is an ode to the city, focusing on Manchester icons ranging from Alan Turing to Emmeline Pankhurst, with a combination of wall coverings, lighting and fabrics as equally artistic as they are entertaining – all topped off by iconic art pieces from local artist Bobo1325.