Plans revealed for event hotel in Manchester's former Granada Studios

Developer Allied London has unveiled plans to launch an event hotel in the former Granada Studios building in Manchester.

Work on the 200-suite Manchester Grande is expected to begin in 2016, following a formal planning process. Each suite will have a winter garden and the hotel will incorporate four restaurants and a number of bars, including a top-floor members club. Guests will have an access pass to that night's entertainment depending on the package they buy.

Chief executive Michael Ingall said: "The Manchester Grande event hotel will be the first of its kind in the UK. The hotel is being modelled on the likes of the hotels in New York, Miami and the Far East, where the focus is on food and beverage as well as nightly events, including performance, music, film, theatre and arts and club events."

He added: "The hotel will bring to life the four purpose-built integral former sound-proofed studios where the Beatles played their first live TV performance. The purpose-built production green rooms, dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms will be incorporated into the hotel and entertainment complex."

A spokesman for the developer said discussions are taking place with two prospective operators.

The hotel is key to the first phase of development of the so-called St Johns quarter, which embraces a new billion-pound village to be built at the Granada Studio's site. Allied London formed a joint venture with Manchester City Council to acquire the 13.5 acre plot from ITV last year for £26.5m.

"With the development of St Johns, we're creating a new neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester. A place that distinguishes itself by its unique cultural history, diverse mix of inhabitants, rich context and its position at the crossroads of Manchester's network," said Ingall.

Allied London intends to retain ownership of the complex. Levitt Bernstein Associates has been appointed as architect.