Hotel Indigo, The Former City Buildings

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 3 Nov 2020

The building at the corner of Todd Street and Corporation Street dates from between 1865 and 1875; its name, “City Buildings” suggests that it was a speculative or intended multiple-occupancy building and, according to Historic England’s listing text https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1380200 , it was used as a warehouse, shops and offices. Its design is similar in style to the nearby Victoria Station. The building is Grade II-listed (Historic England List Entry Number: 1380200 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1380200 ). It became vacant in 2004 and fell into disrepair, becoming somewhat dilapidated by the time this photograph Image] was taken in 2011. Planning permission for the construction of a 178-bedroom glass-fronted hotel and restaurant on the site was granted in 2012 (https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/plan-to-turn-run-down-building-into-a-26m-679600 Manchester Evening News, 12 Jan 2012). This has involved demolishing the former post office behind the building, restoring the building’s sandstone façade to its Victorian glory, and building a further 14 storeys on top of it (the circular building behind). The City Buildings can be seen under scaffolding in Image, taken in 2015 when the area was being redeveloped.

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