“Instagrammable wow factor” is a phrase you often hear when discussing city regeneration projects. But the Leonardo Hotel in Manchester, designed by Stephenson Hamilton Risley STUDIO (SHR), is more than just a pretty face. It’s a building that cleverly combines modern design with a nod to Manchester’s industrial past.
A New Face for An Old City
Manchester’s Great Ancoats Street has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years. New commercial developments with daring architecture, like Will Alsop’s “Chips” building and Broadway Malyan’s Isis tower, have breathed fresh life into the area. The Leonardo Hotel joins this vibrant scene, but it’s not simply another flashy building. SHR’s design draws inspiration from sources as diverse as 19th-century loom pattern cards and Alan Turing’s groundbreaking computer code, giving the hotel a unique identity.
Beyond Function: A Sculptural Expression
SHR director Keith Hamilton describes the Leonardo as a “sculptural exercise,” emphasizing that the design was driven by artistic vision rather than purely functional requirements. This artistic approach is evident in the building’s asymmetrical forms, fragmented by projecting and receding elements. Think Jenga blocks, but with an architectural twist! This approach echoes the firm’s previous work, such as Hallé St Peter’s and Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, which also showcase their fascination with monumental forms and asymmetry.
A Controlled Design with a Striking Effect
While the Leonardo Hotel might seem like a bold statement, it’s actually a carefully crafted design, born from numerous iterations. The building’s striking facade is achieved through a combination of bold elements:
- Asymmetrical blocks: These create a sense of movement and dynamism.
- Fine-lined joints: These accentuate the building’s form and add a touch of sophistication.
- Anodized sills: These provide a subtle but elegant contrast to the off-white GRC panels.
- GRC panels: These were chosen over concrete to reduce carbon emissions and create a smooth, monolithic effect.
From afar, the building appears streamlined and modern, with subtle details drawing the eye to its carefully constructed facade. The Leonardo’s design is truly a testament to SHR’s ability to combine artistic vision with meticulous attention to detail.
A Question of History
The Leonardo Hotel is not just a building; it’s a conversation about how we shape our cities and the role of history in our urban landscape. The building’s design, with its subtle nods to Manchester’s industrial heritage, raises a thought-provoking question: can we retain a sense of a place’s history when most of the original structures are gone? It’s a question that lingers, leaving us pondering the relationship between urban development and the preservation of the past.
A Modern Masterpiece with a Historical Soul
The Leonardo Hotel stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design. It’s not just a building, but a statement, an expression of artistic vision, and a conversation about our urban landscape. The building’s striking aesthetics, combined with its subtle nods to Manchester’s history, create a space that is both modern and grounded. As you walk past the Leonardo, take a moment to appreciate the interplay of form and function, the bold architecture and the subtle details. This building is not just a hotel; it’s a story waiting to be told.
