Whitworth Locke — Manchester, UK
![Whitworth Locke hotel guestroom, Manchester, UK](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pxRQeMWrbvtn7F7hDNJ5FZ-415-80.jpg)
The UK’s contested second city, and uncontested ‘Capital of the North’, Manchester is experiencing a period of roaring cultural growth. It’s little wonder therefore that the city with aspirations to become a truly global player is now home to Locke Hotels’ most ambitious project to date.
Set across three former export mills, Whitworth Locke features 160 studios and an assortment of capacious public areas that position the property as both aparthotel and community hub.
Matthew Grzywinski, of Grzywinski+Pons, led the overall design, which continues the group’s propensity for pastels and orderly, understated styling. In many ways Whitworth Locke is a story of colour and studios feature painted original brickwork in hues of salmon, with light wood floors and accents of green in neatly angular sofas.
The extensive co-working spaces on the ground floor, meanwhile, are more forceful in appearance, with walls of foliage and splashes of bright yellow – a nod to the worker bee, perhaps the most well-known symbol of the city.
One of the most defining elements is the grand glass atrium, which ensconces the lobby-cum-cocktail bar. Surprisingly, it’s an 1980s addition to the building, but so convincingly Victorian that it survived the renovation and now affords the sullen Manchester sky a permanent presence.
Also at ground level is neighbourhood coffeehouse, Foundation. Designed by local studio NoChintz, it’s the second location of a popular brand founded in the city’s Northern Quarter and, beyond espressos, provides a cultural programme of yoga classes and film nights for locals and long-stays alike.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
ADDRESS
74 Princess Street
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture lovers
Auberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
This Nova Lima apartment is a Brazilian family oasis with striking Minas Gerais views
A Nova Lima apartment designed by Jacobsen Arquitetura celebrates its long, natural Minas Gerais vistas
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
Recharge at Praktyka, the glamping spot all creatives should know
Architectural cabins and art workshops await at Praktyka, a creative retreat on the wild North Devon coast
By Tom Howells Published
-
The Orangery at Kensington Palace offers high tea and verdant vistas in a royal London setting
The Orangery at Kensington Palace Gardens is the perfect green setting for a sunny day treat of afternoon tea and more
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Meet Paradise 2.0: the beloved Soho-based Sri Lankan restaurant, reinvented
Paradise 2.0 embraces tropical brutalism following a renovation by Dan Preston Studio
By Billie Brand Published
-
Step inside the majestic Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
In matching its exclusive and central location, a sleek building by RSHP houses the new ultra-refined Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Soak up London’s sunshine at these stylish rooftop bars
Discover the best London rooftop bars, from the Middle Eastern-themed Yasmin Soho to Spanish tapas haven, Amano Rooftop Bar
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Linger at Nightingale, a Tutto Bene-designed Mayfair restaurant
Nightingale restaurant in Mayfair is one of London-based design studio Tutto Bene’s debut projects
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Inside Cunard’s Queen Anne Britannia Restaurant, designed by David Collins Studio
Cunard’s Queen Anne, the new luxury cruise ship, introduces its state-of-the-art Britannia Restaurant designed by David Collins Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The new London restaurants to book now
This month, explore the best new restaurants in London, from brunch at The Park opposite Kensington Gardens to Plates, where vegan cooking gets the haute cuisine treatment
By Ben McCormack Last updated