‘Eyesore’ building in Manchester city centre might be knocked down after all

A building in Manchester city centre that has been labelled an ‘eyesore’ for years is set to be knocked down.

Developers had originally planned to strip down the brutalist Premier House, on the corner of Deansgate and Blackfriars Street, to its concrete frame.

It was then proposed that it would be redeveloped it into 40,000sq ft of modern office space.

But those working on the project have now found that the work to retain the structure would ‘severely impact the deliverability of the project’ and are planning to demolish it.

It’s believed that keeping the existing concrete structure would create several restrictions, including limited ceiling heights.

The redevelopment of both Premier House and the former Renaissance Hotel – which closed in July 2020 – have been getting underway in recent months.

Its new life will see a new luxury hotel, Treehouse Hotel, take the place of the Renaissance.

Read more: Top northern chefs to open THREE new restaurants inside swanky Manchester hotel

Treehouse will include a ‘secret forest’ treehouse canopy and three new restaurants and bars, fronted by local hospitality heroes Mary-Ellen McTague, Sam Grainger, Luke Cowdrey (aka Unabomber) and Justin Crawford.

A letter from Avison Young lodged with the planning application to demolish Premier House states: “Retaining the structure of the current building and integrating it into the new office building would severely impact the deliverability of the project.”

If plans are approved, the joint venture between Property Alliance Group and Starwood Capital would instead construct a new-build alternative on the site.

Featured image: Google Maps