The dramatic collapse of a crane on a key Manchester city centre development site brought work on a multi-million pound hotel development crashing to a halt. Despite delays caused by the collapse, the city centre’s newest hotel has won the race against time to open on schedule.
Thursday October 28 sees the official launch of the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford Road.The venture has created the north of England’s first new-look Holiday Inn Express following a decision by the parent company to re-brand and upgrade the entire chain. Work was held up last year when an 80 tonne crane collapsed on the building site, partly plunging into the nearby River Medlock. Luckily nobody – including the crane operator – was injured.
The Holiday Inn franchise is owned by Intercontinental Group who decided in 2007 to undertake a radical re-branding process, creating a ‘New Generation’ chain of hotels. Hotels under the Holiday Inn flag will boast all modern and technologic facilities. It features hot breakfasts, super- fast internet access, LCD televisions, air conditioning and en-suite power showers, and a pillow choice in every room.
The striking building has already changed the streetscape in Oxford Road with most rooms enjoying floor to ceiling windows to maximise natural daylight.
General Manager Jonathan Smith: “We are delighted with our location in the heart of the city. Oxford Road is one of Manchester’s most central streets, a stone’s throw from the city’s main attractions and close to Piccadilly and Oxford Street train stations. It means our hotel is ideal for the business community as well as visitors and tourists.
“The hotel is surrounded by thriving bars, cafes and restaurants, with Manchester’s Museum, St Peter’s Square, Manchester Library, and the University of Manchester buildings all a few minutes’ walk.
“The architecture of the hotel is also unique. The chosen contemporary and sober design of the building perfectly mingles with the varied architecture styles of Oxford Road, which hosts a variety of listed buildings and modern structures of the University of Manchester.
“It’s not often you can find a hotel that is in the nerve of cultural pulse of city like Manchester, surrounded by some of its landmark buildings which offers all the comforts expected by both business and leisure visitors.
“This has been a special project for Intercontinental Group for the attention we put into choosing a landmark design. We wanted our hotel to fully embrace the architecture of Oxford Street, stand out as an example of the best modern design and continue to provide the best modern facilities possible.”
