Urban&Civic’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the Ramada Renaissance site at the northern end of Deansgate, has been approved by Manchester City Council’s Executive Committee (7 March). The outline plans will now become subject to a public consultation with local stakeholders.
The site, which borders Deansgate and Blackfriars Street, is close to Manchester Cathedral and occupies a strategic location within the city’s retail core. Urban and Civic appointed architect Glenn Howells last year and the proposals include the demolition of the existing Ramada Renaissance Hotel and its associated car park, replacing it with three separate buildings and significant public realm.
The outline plans include a five-star hotel with 250 guest rooms, 600 one, two and three bedroom apartments, plus retail and leisure space. Over half of the site is designated public realm, designed to open up the River Irwell and views to the Cathedral, whilst providing improved pedestrian connections. A central courtyard will become a focal point for restaurants and bars, with river views.
Philip Leech, Property Director at Urban&Civic comments, “This is a prominent landmark site and we have been working with Glenn Howells and the City Council to create a mixed-use scheme which takes reference from the surrounding heritage and will bring new life to this part of the river. We are excited to move the designs forward and head towards the consultation phase.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The Ramada Complex is one of the most exciting and challenging redevelopment opportunities in the city centre. It is virtually the final piece of the jigsaw of the ambitious 1999 city centre renewal plan, drawn up in the aftermath of the IRA bomb. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to the area and act as a catalyst to further improvements, a real gateway destination creating jobs and opportunities and complementing its surroundings, rather than detracting from them as it currently does.”