Deansgate’s Renaissance Hotel to be transformed into huge treehouse hotel

After decades of architectural neglect, the infamous Renaissance Hotel is finally set for a much-needed transformation.

Known to Mancs today as ‘that ugly building down Deansgate,’ the Renaissance Hotel was initially built as an office block in 1972 before being transformed into the hotel it is known as today.  However, instead of becoming a staple part of Manchester city centre’s history, the fifteen-storey tall building has instead been labeled as an ‘eye sore’ and has faced the threat of full demolition since 2018.

Last year, it was announced that the hotel would close for good and, ever since, it has stood derelict and seemingly forgotten with the possibility of demolition constantly looming. 

Gene Hunt / Flickr

SH Hotels & Resorts

But now, that’s all set to change – a £200m redevelopment of the building proposed by Property Alliance Group and Starwood Capital’s has now been approved by the council.

The building will be taken over by the SH Hotel & Resorts’ ‘Treehouse’, a London-based treehouse-themed hotel concept.

SH Hotels & Resorts’ primary aim is to recreate ‘the wondrous childhood feeling of climbing into a treehouse and making up your own rules.’ They have promised to bring this outlook to their Manchester venture, saying the hotel will be ‘fun, fresh and fabulous – inspired by life’s joys.’

The existing Treehouse Hotel, located in London’s elusive Marylebone neighbourhood, has achieved critical acclaim for it’s unique and eccentric interior design, which includes real tree trunks entwined in the bathrooms, nature-inspired bedrooms and quirky decorations such as cuckoo clocks and an abundance of shrubbery. 

SH Hotels & Resorts

SH Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Capital Group Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht said on the Manchester project: “I’m really excited to launch our second Treehouse Hotel in the UK. Manchester is as much a destination for travellers as a gathering place for its energetic local community.

“Our Treehouse will introduce a new execution of fun and witty, and provide an imaginative hospitality experience. As a sustainable brand, we will reuse and repurpose the existing building. We are thrilled to set roots in the city of Manchester.”

Further details surrounding the venture have remained tightly under wraps, though SH Hotels & Resorts has indicated that the hotel will introduce a number of unique new dining experiences to the area, including a top-floor restaurant and bar with city views and a rooftop venue.

Treehouse Hotel Manchester has also vowed to make extensive use of ‘reclaimed and recycled materials across both the building itself and the furniture within.’

Treehouse Hotel Manchester is due to open in 2023.