A stunning new hotel from well-known operator Malmaison is soon to open in Manchester complete with a spectacular rooftop bar that will look out across Albert Square. It will become the second Malmaison Hotel in the city centre, following on from its original Piccadilly venue which has been open for the past 26 years.
Malmaison Deansgate is the name of the new venue - although it's not actually on Deansgate at all. The development has been underway for some time now at a prime spot on Princess Street - directly opposite Manchester Town hall.
Scaffolding has just started to come down off the front of the building, with the Malmaison sign now taking pride of place at the top of the building. And the intriguing development above the sign point to what we can expect from the city's latest rooftop bar and terrace.
The town hall itself is currently under wraps due to major renovation works due to be complete in 2024. Once they are removed, the new Malmaison rooftop bar called Sora will boast one of the most spectacular views across the city landmark and the redeveloped Albert Square.
Works had been due to finish on the hotel in April, but due to delays, bosses are now looking at "summer 2023" as the likely opening date for the 70-bedroom hotel. Inside, guests can expect a true "design-led hotel" with individuall designed rooms and large public spaces.
On the ground floor will be a new 114-cover brasserie and cocktail bar with a grill style menu called Malmaison Bar & Grill. Then up on the seventh floor Manchester can expect the new sky bar Sora.
It will become the second Sora in the Malmaison portfolio, after the success of the first rooftop bar at the York Malmaison last year.
It will boast an Asian-fusion small plates menu and a range of cocktails. While guests will be able to look out across the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows inside, or enjoy the Manchester weather from the terrace on the outside.
As for the bedrooms, we can expecting something "very glamorous". Images of how the bedrooms will look boast lavish wrap headboards, bright floral wallpapers and quirky bathrooms.
Just like its sister venue on Piccadilly, the boutique hotel will offer individual designs in every room. There are also plans for the plush suites at the hotel to boast balconies to make the most of the city centre views too.
Malmaison on Piccadilly is in the midst of its own major makeover, with 60 of its 167 bedrooms so far given full refurbishment. The second stage of renovations are underway in the grade-II listed side of the hotel, based in the historic Joshua Hoyle cotton warehouse.
The new Malmaison is taking shape in the former offices and retail space on the corner of Cooper Street and Princess Street.
The exterior can now be seen if you walk ot travel past the site, with the Malmaison sign at the very top. The hotel sits opposite the tram lines and close to the St Peter's Square tram stop.
Laura Munroe, sales manager for both Malmaison hotels in Manchester, said it is exciting times for the brand. She said: "Malmaison on Piccadilly has always had a big corporate following with its location right opposite Piccadilly Train Station.
"But the idea with Malmaison Deansgate is that this will be a smaller boutique hotel and appeal more to a leisure market, and be very much a design-led hotel."
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