Treehouse Hotels, part of SH Hotels & Resorts, has announced the new Treehouse Hotel Manchester to follow Treehouse Hotel London as its second hotel in its UK portfolio.
Set to open early 2023 on Deansgate, in the heart of Manchester City Centre, the culinary charge line-up will feature some of the North West’s most highly regarded chefs and restaurateurs.
Mary-Ellen McTague, has over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, spanning multiple sizes and styles of operation. Mary-Ellen’s career began in the then-Michelin starred Sharrow Bay Country House hotel, followed by four years spent working with Heston Blumenthal, firstly as Sous Chef at the 3 Michelin-starred Fat Duck, then as Research and Development Chef, working on historical food for Blumenthal’s Hind’s Head and Fat Duck menus. Mary-Ellen also boasts three highly regarded restaurants of her own in Manchester, the latest being the much-lauded Creameries in Chorlton, the critics favourite. A true pioneer in sustainable kitchen practises over the last six years, Mary-Ellen will bring this ethos of sustainability in modern cuisine to the venture. Fundamental to this will be a zero-waste focus and her modern twist on traditional cooking techniques. Mary-Ellen will be curating the offerings on the ground floor of Treehouse Hotel Manchester, based on seasonality, sustainability, and a sense of place.
Sam Grainger, who will be the mastermind of the hotel’s 14th floor destination restaurant and stand alone bar, is collaborating with ex Refuge curators, Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford. Sam is yet another well-established chef joining the team. Sam has gained praise from all corners of the food industry as chef owner at critically acclaimed Belzan in Liverpool, and the revered Madre.
Last, but by no means least, the North-West powerhouse restaurateurs – Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford. Luke and Justin began their path in the suburban hotspot of Didsbury, with Volta. The duo then opened what was then one of the most eagerly anticipated restaurants Manchester had seen in decades, The Refuge by Volta. Their initial approach was to bring Volta’s award-winning formula of crafted and beautiful small plates and grills to the city centre, but on the scale of a 139-cover restaurant. The following success they managed to achieve truly lifted Manchester’s reputation of exceptional dining experience to a whole new level. Mavericks in every sense of the word, the pair will be partnering with Sam Granger to work on the food offering, beverage and music program of the 14th floor restaurant, they will also curate activations in the Rooftop bar and the ground floor restaurant.
In true Treehouse Hotels’ style, the hotel will be “fun, fresh and a breath of fresh air for a thriving global city in its assent – designed to appeal to the youthful spirit in all of us and inspired by life’s joys”. The building is redeveloped in collaboration with UK-based 93ft to restore the building, incorporating organic aesthetics to create a comfortable oasis and playful rooms encouraging guests to relax and enjoy.
The 216-room hotel will be filled with an abundance of dappled light and natural scent of pitch pine, reminiscent of entering a secret forest. Thoughtful design details allow travellers to share ideas, stories, and connect with playful hopscotch carpets; stepping-stones in lift lobbies; custom-designed space hoppers in the hotel gym, and an invitation for visitors to carve their stories into a central living wooden art piece that will grow over time.
As part of Treehouse Hotel Manchester’s unique offerings, the hotel will present three unique new dining and drinking experiences in the city, including a top floor restaurant and bar with uninterrupted views of the city, and a crowning rooftop venue with views for miles. In addition to restaurants, there will be a rooftop bar and terrace.
