LEVEN Manchester
Manchester’s newest design hotel, LEVEN Manchester is now open, on the corner of Chorlton Street and Canal Street in the city’s vibrant Village neighbourhood.
Housed in a landmark early 20th century warehouse, LEVEN Manchester is a hotel designed to be enjoyed on a guest’s own terms.
Following an extensive interior and exterior reimagining, the 33,000 sq ft property is today a design-led, 42-key hotel.
Accommodation includes a selection of rooms, suites and duplex Penthouses, all individually designed with sleek interiors and industrial elements.
On the ground floor is the Lobby and Lounge, serving coffee, cocktails and an all-day snacking menu, designed to be day-to-night sociable spaces for guests and locals alike.
The LEVEN brand is a joint venture between Manchester-born entrepreneurs, brothers Joshua and Ben Senior, and industry innovators Wellbrook Hospitality.
The Manchester site is the first in a series of LEVEN hotels.
The LEVEN lifestyle will include co-working, co-living and retail – with a range of merchandise commissioned for the Manchester opening.
The property’s red brick walls and Crittall windows hold a rich history dating back to Manchester’s industrial past, including former uses first as a cotton warehouse, and more recently a brewery and comedy club.
Phase two of LEVEN Manchester’s launch in Q2 2022 will see a 1,700sq ft subterranean cocktail bar with 6.5m high ceilings, and a stunning 4,000 sq ft restaurant space open on the ground and basement levels.
In the meantime, the soft-opening will see a series of nine art exhibitions installed within these ground and basement level spaces ahead of their transformation next year, featuring the work of nine Manchester artists from 3rd December 2021 – 13th February 2022.
The original two storey high loading dock of the former warehouse is now the impressive main hotel entrance.
The design and construction team has worked with the original Victorian fabric of the building; exposed brick, vaulted ceilings and cast iron columns; and used modern materials and lighting to throw the retained industrial finishes into relief.
The lobby features a brass-topped bar with emerald green scalloped tiles, blackened steel ceiling-height units and statement lighting for a dramatic entrance.
There’s plenty of space to hang out on comfy sofas in green velvet, and soft leather armchairs.
A walkway connects the lobby with a day-to-night lounge, perfect for work and play.
A large canteen-style wooden table takes centre stage, geared towards co-working and socialising, and a corner sofa in turmeric velvet makes the ideal people-watching perch, sitting under original artworks by artist Lillie Bernie.
LEVEN Manchester’s 42 keys comprise four thoughtfully-designed accommodation types: “Life Size” (standard bedroom), “Living Space” (one bedroom suite), “Living Large” (one bedroom duplex Penthouse suite), and “Living The Dream” (two bedroom duplex Penthouse suite).
Every room and suite is unique, taking the historic roots and industrial bones of the building and merging it with sleek interior touches. All have oak parquet or timber floors, bespoke furniture, 100% natural mattresses by Naturalmat and Grown Alchemist bathroom amenities. Some feature high ceilings, exposed brickwork, and stand-alone bathtubs; others have full kitchens, designed like a wet bar with every appliance needed to cook up a storm (or for a private chef to do the culinary honours) housed behind slick cabinetry.
The Lobby and Lounge at LEVEN Manchester has “whatever you fancy, whenever you fancy it”. With a home from home vibe, it’s just the place for guests and locals to hang out with friends, or find a quiet spot to work or get into a good book.
Centrally located at 40 Chorlton Street, alongside vibrant Canal Street, and a five minute walk from Piccadilly Station, LEVEN Manchester is perfectly placed to experience everything this dynamic, flourishing neighbourhood has to offer.
With its mix of bars, clubs, restaurants, independent stores, alfresco drinking and dining and a thriving LGBTQ+ community, the Village celebrates diversity and community spirit.
Of course, the rest of Manchester is on the doorstep, waiting to be explored.
About Wellbrook Hospitality
When a trio of hoteliers who had built successful careers with challenger brands got together, Wellbrook was born.
Industry innovators and former colleagues Timothy Griffin, PJ Kenny, and Shanthan Balakrishnan joined forces to create Wellbrook Hospitality in 2020, with the aim of harnessing their collective experience to develop and operate challenger brands in the hospitality field.
The Wellbrook team cumulatively spent twenty years as senior leaders in one of Fast Company’s ‘World’s Most Innovative’ companies and Virgin Fast Track top 30 for 3 years running – Ennismore, owners of The Hoxton series of hotels.
Today, Wellbrook delivers expertise in full hotel management agreements, brand & concept development, turnarounds, asset management and management outsourcing.
Photography: Mariell Lind Hansen