The Lowry

Manchester’s first-ever five-star hotel, developed for Rocco Forte Hotels, The Lowry is the strategic cornerstone of the Chapel Wharf quarter (a regeneration zone on the central Salford-Manchester banks of the River Irwell). We were appointed as architects, lead consultant and interior designer for the scheme.

The award-winning building forms part of the gateway from Deansgate to Chapel Wharf and frames a semi-circular piazza accessed via the landmark Calatrava-designed Trinity Bridge. External public areas address the urban square and slice into the building which follows the curve on one side and addresses the new developments at the rear. All 390 rooms, each 40 sqm minimum, face outwards with full height and width glazing.

With an on-site construction time of just 18 months, this project embraced modern methods of construction with post-tensioned flat slabs, unitised modular cladding and prefabricated bathrooms and plant areas. This allowed the whole project from inception to guest opening to be undertaken in less than three years.

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