An iconic Manchester hotel is being turned into a TREEHOUSE hotel
From a brutalist icon to a green oasis complete with a 'secret forest' treehouse canopy and new top floor restaurant and bar, there's an exciting new development coming to Deansgate
It’s all change for the long-standing Deansgate hotel the Renaissance, as London developer Starwood Capital Investments reveals it is taking over the building and turning it into a new treehouse hotel complete with a ‘secret forest’ treehouse canopy.
Suffice to say that the brutalist icon is set to be completely transformed at the hands of London design company 93ft – and the plans sound pretty magical to us.
Designers will be working within the existing structure to create a new, green oasis, adding in some sustainable design features like a kitchen garden that will harvest its own rainwater and a rooftop apiary that will produce the hotel’s own honey.
Plans for the first phase of development include a new top-floor restaurant and bar, with another ‘crowning’ rooftop venue offering striking views across the city centre from the location at the end of Deansgate.
And fun features like stepping stones in the lift lobbies and a unique ‘living wooden art piece’ guest book – which you’re actually encouraged to carve your name into – will introduce some childlike wonder to the redevelopment.
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Elsewhere, alongside 216 smart new guest rooms, the hotel will also boast a communal gym complete with bespoke space hoppers designed especially for the Treehouse brand.
The site will be the second Treehouse Hotel to open in the UK, following the flagship boutique hotel in Marylebone, London.
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The existing Renaissance site, originally built as an office in 1972, is being redeveloped by Starwood Capital Investments (part of the vast IHG Group) in partnership with Property Alliance Group.
It’s not the first hotel Starwood Capital Investments has developed in Manchester, either. The company previously renovated the Principal Hotel in 2017, now known as the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
Speaking on the new development, Starwood Capital Group chairman and chief executive Barry Sternlicht said:
“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.”
Alex Russell, managing director of Property Alliance Group, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing Treehouse, one of the most exciting global hotel brands, to Manchester which will be their second UK location after London. The brand will inject much-needed life and personality into this prominent landmark site, changing the perception of the building and driving footfall and activity to the area.”
The new Treehouse hotel is expected to open in 2023.
Feature image – Starwood Capital Group / 93ft .
News
Manchester house goes on sale with life-sized ‘sex doll’ in pictures
Georgina Pellant
A two bedroom house has gone up for sale in Manchester, and the appearance of a surprise guest in its listing pictures has got the city talking.
The mid-terrace family home in Blackley looks completely normal at first, priced at a modest £160,000.
Completely normal, that is, until you spot the stiletto-wearing life-sized sex doll in the corner of one of its rooms.
Wearing a fitted red dress with her legs akimbo and her hands in a strange clenched position with one at her mouth and another in her lap, the lifelike doll has been spotted by eagle-eyed property hunters on the lookout for a bargain.
Reclining on what appears to be either a chaise lounge or a put-up bed in a ‘rest area’ under the stairs, the lifelike mannequin appears to be wearing fishnet stockings underneath her skin-tight bodycon dress.
Image: Henstock Property Services
Image: Henstock Property Services
Accessorised with a wide-brimmed hat and teeteringly-high stilettos, the positioning of the doll in front of what looks like a bedroom has led some online to speculate as to whether she’ll be included in the house price.
Elsewhere, the property briefly comprises an entrance hallway, lounge, kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, downstairs WC, shower room and modern conservatory.
It also boasts a decent-sized outdoor area with a paved terrace area overlooking a green park.
Hooch has just released a new tropical flavour for summer – and it’s blue
Georgina Pellant
Everyone’s favourite hard lemonade has just released a new tropical flavour for the summer – it’s blue.
Blue Hooch has dropped just in time for picnic and beer garden season, bursting onto the scene with fruity tropical flavours and a citrusy lime zing.
Following increasing demand for Hooch as we head into summer, the all-new Hooch flavour is inspired by beach parties, palm trees and warm island waters.
Described as a ‘tropical fiesta in a can’, this exotic and easy-going alcoholic tropicade also brings that signature Hooch citrus kick.
An evolution of Hoola Hooch, Blue Hooch enhances the fruity tropical flavours that fans have grown to love, whilst introducing that signature Hooch citrus kick for a truly sessionable bev.
The new flavour joins the original line-up of Hooch Lemon Brew, Pink Hooch, and Orange Hooch.
Available in 440ml cans at Tesco as part of the new Hooch 8 pack, you can get your hands on the new flavour alongside the OG line-up.
The mixed-pack is the ultimate party starter kit, tailor-made for carefree sessions, and backyard barbecues.
Charlie Leaver, Head of Brand at Global Brands said: “We’re thrilled to share the release of Blue Hooch ahead of summer. Introducing the leading flavour in traditional party-drinks, Blue, to our nostalgic, zingy line-up was just a matter of time, and has created what will certainly be a new Hooch fan favourite!
“The Hooch Mixed Packs are another exciting development, providing our all-new Orange Hooch and Blue Hooch cans, with Pink Hooch and Hooch Lemon. Featuring the full range of citrusy Hooch flavours, these are the perfect grab-and-go pack for barbecues and summer get-togethers.”
Blue Hooch taps into the huge blue drinks trend, which includes popular party starters like VK Blue, while keeping the tongue-tingling zesty flavours and nostalgia that Hooch fans know and love. At an easy drinking 4% ABV, it’s set to be the drink of the summer; perfect for sunny socials! Grab a mixed pack to share with your friends.
Hooch Mixed Packs are now available at Tesco for £15. You can also purchase a fridge pack of Blue Hooch (24 x 440ml) online from Good Time In for £39.50.
Georgina Pellant -
1st September 2021 
