Premier Hospitality

Lowry Lounge & Bar and River Restaurant

Lowry Lounge
Written by Roma Publications

The Lowry Lounge & Bar and River Restaurant

The Lowry Hotel has re-invented its iconic riverside destination; leisure, dining and drinking offer by undertaking an ambitious seven-figure refurbishment.

Completed in September 2019, the five-star renovation saw an entire redesign of the hotel’s bar and restaurant.  Retaining the incredible, unique riverside views and terrace and the Lowry’s unwavering commitment to service, the new lounge bar and restaurant features soft hues, a new layout and bespoke furnishings.

Two new destination venues, the Lowry Lounge & Bar and River Restaurant each feature independent flair and personality.

The new look has been created by renowned interior designers, Goddard Littlefair, who also designed the hotel’s newly refurbished Presidential Suite and lobby areas which have a similar fluid and sophisticated look and feel.

Speaking to PREMIER HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE about the work, Jo Littlefair from Goddard Littlefair said: “The owner acknowledged that the hotel needed a refresh and that there were areas that needed an uplift. The owner really relied on us to understand what the light might be like, what the weather might be like and what the atmosphere could be like within The Lowry  to try and guide him into what people would want or expect there. It had to have a sense of luxury but at the same time be able to adapt for different purposes. The owner wanted us to be inspired by the property and the area and think about what kind of environment we wanted to create on the inside to bring everything together.”

To reach the new bar and restaurant, which are located on the first floor, guests are scooped up and guided up a central staircase.

Jo said: “You reach the bar via a central staircase from reception so when you come into the building; you are met with a big space because it needs to be big for the volume of people that come in and out of that space. What we wanted to do with the bar and restaurant is make it feel like you are being scooped up and guided up the central staircase. This has been softened by having timber slats and screening around it, as well as the inclusion of a huge glass chandelier which goes up three storeys. It is lit from above, and it is a real draw to the eye.

“Once you reach the top of the staircase, you initially hit the bar where you start getting the feeling of contemporary artwork; mixes of monochrome and colourful prints so that guests are not overpowered.”

The Lowry Lounge & Bar now benefits from a new feature bar and a choice of sociable or comfortable secluded seating.

Jo continued: “The bar is the first thing you come to and then that leads into a series of spaces. The hotel architecturally fans from the curve of the canal and the curve of it gives you some architectural spines that you can take off, meaning you can sub divide the linear space into smaller sections. We have tried to give flexibility, as well as a warm and welcoming ambiance through the use of screening devices.”

Long known as a luxurious hide-a-way for Mancunians in the know and home to impromptu performances from some of the hotel’s high-profile guests including Lady Gaga and Take That, the new venue is planning an entertainment and events programme featuring live performances most nights.  Add to this a new creative drinks and food offer under the stewardship of Food and Beverage Manager Daniel Thompson, the Lowry Lounge & Bar promises to be a vibrant new addition to the city.

The River Restaurant promises a dynamic menu to inspire, excite and intrigue. Whether its riverside views or private intimate dining you’re seeking, Executive Head Chef Dave Ashton has composed a mix of dishes heavily featuring locally sourced produce to be enjoyed alongside the hotel’s fine wines from world-famous vineyards.  The River Restaurant will also continue to offer its popular Sunday lunch and daily afternoon tea in the newly imagined surroundings.

2019 is a huge year for investment at the hotel. As well as the new-look Presidential Suite, lobby and mezzanine, other confirmed developments include a redesign of the hotel’s luxury corner suites and upgrades of its meeting spaces.

Adrian Ellis, General Manager of The Lowry Hotel, commented: “It’s an incredibly exciting year for The Lowry Hotel. We’re investing nearly £5m in developments to cement our status as Manchester’s premier five-star hotel amongst growing competition in the city. The new Lowry Lounge & Bar and River Restaurant allows us to maintain our five-star service standards as well as offer a personalised experience for all guests, whether it be an overnight stay or superb evening out”

Jo added: “This is such an iconic hotel for us to be involved with. There were so many great scenes and storeys we were able to pull out, particularly the connection with Lowry and the textile industry. It was nice to bring that warmth into the space and see it reinvigorated by breathing a new life into it, and at the same time, making things more operable for the hotel. On one hand we were improving the aesthetic of the hotel, but at the same time we are making it more profitable and more usable for the hotel. Overall it was very satisfying and we are really proud of the project. It is a lovely place to go and stay and we really like it!”

The Lowry Hotel has 165 bedrooms and six suites, as well as a spa, restaurant and bar, and a variety of meeting and event spaces.

Lowry Lounge

YS Associates London Ltd

YS Associates specialise in project management and quantity surveying services. The company has been in operation since 2010 and works across a variety of sectors including hospitality, commercial and residential.

The company has a strong reputation in the hospitality industry and has been involved with an enviable portfolio of projects; previously being involved in various Hilton Hotel schemes across the UK including sites in London, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Cambridge.

Recently, YS Associates were engaged by the owners of The Lowry Hotel to undertake the project management, quantity surveying and contract administration of the recent renovation work.

Yian Stavrou, Director, said:

“It was fantastic to be involved with this client once again, because maintaining great relationships is one of our core values. We are not the type of consultancy practice to go out there and constantly chase for new business; our model is based mainly on repeat business and word of mouth.

“As a company we take pride in tailoring our approach to suit the individual needs of clients. Every client has different ideas and wants that we can adapt to as we do not have fixed or rigid way of working. It’s a bespoke approach founded on building and sustaining excellent relationships.”

To find out more, please visit www.ys-associates.co.uk. Or email yian@ys-associates.co.uk.

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Roma Publications