Principal — Manchester, UK
A new hotel group Principal has just launched across the United Kingdom. Owned by the Starwood Capital Group – a private investment firm whose chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht founded the Starwood hotel group – the collection of city hotels is distinguished by storied buildings in flawless locations – for now, a row of Georgian townhouses along Edinburgh’s George Street, a sprawling manse in York, and the former HQ of The Refuge Assurance Company in Manchester. A sophomore batch is due to launch within the next two years in Glasgow, London and Liverpool.
The Principal Manchester was, until Starwood’s acquisition, the Palace Hotel, a Manchester landmark whose 66m high clock tower literally looms over the city. Designed by Alfred and Paul Waterhouse and Stanley Birkett between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Grade II-listed building eventually became home to the Palace Hotel after The Refuge shuttered its business.
And now, following a thoroughly modern overhaul, that reportedly cost £25m, by local firm 3D Reid and London-based Michaelis Boyd, the 271-room hotel impresses for its creamy interiors of dimpled headboards, voluminous drapes, a gloriously restored glass domed atrium, and grand spaces chiseled with acres of marble, stone and granite.
There are visual distractions aplenty, not the least of which are the building’s original mouldings, partitions, and stained glass windows, and the 600kg, 3m high bronze horse station by Sophie Dickens in the lobby.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Corner Oxford and Whitworth Streets
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Mighty Kia EV9 is the brand’s biggest electric vehicle. How does it scale up to its rivals?
We take the Kia EV9 – now in showrooms, in a wide range of versions – for a spin to see how the revitalised company handles the design of a big SUV
By Guy Bird Published
-
Kinsman cocktail bar shakes up Hong Kong scene with Cantonese spirits
Kinsman is a Cantonese cocktail bar in Hong Kong that celebrates traditional spirits while also creating innovative concoctions for the future
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Swatch and Tate have watches down to a fine art
Swatch x Tate watches are a joyful tribute to seven artists, including Matisse, Miró, and Louise Bourgeois
By Hannah Silver Published
-
The Blue Pelican in Deal is part restaurant, part wellness studio
The Blue Pelican is a seafront townhouse in Deal, offering Japanese-inspired dishes, natural wines and a boutique yoga studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Iné in Hampstead is a Japanese restaurant with a contemporary touch
Iné in London's Hampstead reflects edomae traditions, offering counter omakase and à la carte dining in a minimalist, contemporary setting
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe is the ideal country home away from home
The Three Horseshoes, a 17th-century inn, brings chef Margot Henderson’s culinary prowess to Somerset
By Jess Kelham-Hohler Published
-
The Wolseley City brings the brand’s 1920s glamour and identity to the 21st century
The Wolseley City opens to a design by Fabled Studio, bringing the celebrated hospitality brand from Piccadilly to the City of London
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Sexy Fish Manchester brings scrumptious flamboyance to Deansgate
Sexy Fish Manchester opens its doors to reveal its signature, delicious Asian inspired food and rich, art-filled interior
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
We spend the night at The Peninsula London
We spend a night at The Peninsula London, which raises the bar for the premier Asian hospitality specialist
By Lauren Ho Published
-
The Peninsula hotel in London is a finely tuned global ‘showpiece’
The Peninsula, the world’s longest continually operating hotel group, opens its long-awaited London location in Belgravia; we take a first look inside
By Tilly Macalister-Smith Published
-
Make for Margate, the creative corner of Kent where change is the new constant
Discover Margate, the UK seafront town, whose spruced-up image is being driven by smart hotels, cultural attractions, and inviting dining spots, as recommended by travel journalist and regular visitor Josephine Price
By Josephine Price Published