The Great John Street Hotel in Manchester, closed to the public since 2020, is set to reopen after being acquired by new owners Trinity North from MCL GJS Propco Limited for an undisclosed sum.
The hotel, located opposite the old Granada Studios, was once one of Manchester's most in-demand luxury bolt holes inside an historic former school house. It played host to visiting superstars, the region's footballers and Coronation Street stars, and due to its boutique size was also a popular spot for full venue takeovers for private parties and weddings. It was also famed for its rooftop terrace with stunning views across the city centre.
New owners plan renovation
In a statement issued on November 9, Trinity North said they will now "accelerate renovation work" at the landmark Grade II listed site, with the ambition of attracting a luxury lifestyle hotel operator with a distinctive concept and bold vision for the property.
The hotel was initially opened in 2005 by the Eclectic Hotels Group behind the acclaimed Didsbury House Hotel, and was sold to The Hut Group in 2016. It was later closed for a planned refurbishment, but it has not been open to the public since 2020.
Prime location in the city
The Great John Street Hotel occupies a prime position between Spinningfields and the new St John's district, and since it closed has been surrounded by new venues including Soho House and Mollies Hotel. Built in 1912, the Grade II listed former school sits within the Castlefield Conservation Area and extends to 30,537 sq ft. Its former rooftop playground provides a striking setting for a bar and terrace with sweeping views across Manchester's skyline.
Trinity North believes the deal, its first major acquisition, will give fresh momentum to the next phase, completing the work needed to create an "exceptional hotel and enable a leading operator to realise the site's exciting potential".
Backing and leadership
Trinity North is the property investment company backed by Manchester-born Patrick Waldron, managing director of Westshield, the leading North West construction group founded in 1977. A collaborating director is Kay Tierney, who has more than 20 years of hotel experience across operations, asset management and investment.
Funding for the deal was provided by Manchester-based specialist property lender, Together, which has an £8.5bn loan book. Jenics also advised on the deal.
The Great John Street Hotel sits at the heart of what is now one of the city's most distinctive cultural, hospitality and leisure neighbourhood. Aviva Studios, the Science and Industry Museum and Castlefield Bowl are just a few minutes' walk away, as is Enterprise City, home to Booking.com, WPP, dentsu and Cloud Imperium Games. Nearby neighbours include Soho House, Mollie's and VERSA Studios at the former Granada Studios site, while restaurants including The Ivy, Sexy Fish, Caravan and Fenix add to the area's appeal.
Patrick Waldron, Managing Director of Trinity North, said: "We are delighted to have acquired Great John Street Hotel and we are looking forward to delivering something truly special. We are immediately focused on driving the next phase forward and engaging leading hotel operators who have a distinctive concept and bold vision for the property in 2027.
"It is a beautiful and distinctive site in the heart of the city and it's the perfect time to bring this Manchester icon back to life. All the previous owners have been great custodians of this historic site and we want to build on what makes it special and deliver a hospitality experience that stands alongside the best in the world.
We are already opening conversations with operators who share that ambition to bring something bold and exceptional to our city. We know it is a high-profile platform for a hotel brand that can compete on the international stage and significantly strengthen Manchester's hospitality offer. We'll be sharing more exciting news about the hotel in the coming months."
Ritchie Watson, Corporate Sales Director at Together, added: "Trinity North has secured one of the many jewels in Manchester's crown and we are delighted to have supported the acquisition of this landmark hotel in Manchester. It's an exciting opportunity for a new highly experienced operational team to deliver one of the region's most sought-after hospitality offerings.
As a lender with deep roots in the North West, we're beyond proud to support investment that contributes to Manchester's continued regeneration and growth. The city has a fantastic track record of reinventing and repurposing its property, and landmark buildings like this have an important role to play in its next chapter.
By continuing to back experienced businesses with funding to invest in these assets, together, we can help unlock potential and support the continued development of Manchester as a place to live, work and visit."
