Plans lodged for 160-bedroom Manchester aparthotel

Plans have been lodged for a 160-bedroom aparthotel targeting the corporate extended stay market in the heart of Manchester city centre.A full planning application has been submitted by OCM Luxembourg Manchester Aparthotel SARL to refurbish and alter the former Atrium Serviced Apartments complex on the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street. The site earmarked for redevelopment encompasses four separate but linked buildings including the grade II-listed Central House, a 19th century ex-shipping warehouse in red brick.The Leach Rhodes Walker-designed scheme involves extending the total number of rooms from 116 to 160, increasing the amount of restaurant and café space from 6,941 sq ft to 10,165 sq ft, and removing 5,193 sq ft of nightclub space. It is envisaged that there would be a bar within the basement and a bar at ground-floor level, both of which would be open to the public.SACO, which is backed by Oaktree Capital, would operate the proposed aparthotel under its Locke brand on behalf of the applicant. SACO targets the corporate extended stay market via a traditional serviced apartment offering and it has secured the accounts of several large corporations including PwC, Deloitte, Shell and BMW, according to an accompanying planning statement by GL Hearn.The Locke brand, meanwhile, is targeted at business travellers particularly those in the creative industries and technology, media and telecoms sectors.