The Shena Simon Campus is set to become a distinctive new hotel, bringing one of Manchester’s most historic buildings back to life. Acquired from The Manchester College, the landmark site will be transformed in partnership with Oliver Cookson, founder of MyProtein and Verve. The building will be sensitively reimagined for hospitality, retaining its original character while introducing a new use that reflects the area’s ongoing evolution.
This 97,000 sqft former college is perfectly positioned between the Canal Street hospitality scene and Manchester’s emerging Sister innovation district. The hotel concept will add a new dimension to the neighbourhood, offering a place to stay that is rooted in the city’s heritage but built for today’s travellers.
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Originally opened in 1901 as The Central Higher Grade School, the building later became the Central High School in 1920. During this time, it also served as a military hospital during World War I. In 1982, the building transitioned to a Sixth Form College and was named after Shena Simon, a Liberal Councillor, the first female chair of Manchester’s Education Committee, and a tireless advocate for comprehensive education. Her public service was recognised in 1964 when she became only the third woman to receive the Freedom of the City of Manchester. The site later became part of City College Manchester in the early 2000s and then The Manchester College from 2008
Most recently, the Shena Simon Campus provided Industry Excellence Academies for Business & Professional and Science. It will close in September 2025, with The Manchester College moving its educational services to a new four-storey facility next door to City Campus Manchester. This transition marks the next chapter in the building’s story, as it takes on a new role within Manchester’s ongoing urban transformation.
The Shena Simon Campus sits on Chorlton Street in the heart of Manchester, just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station and moments from the vibrancy of Canal Street. This unique location places the building at a cultural and commercial crossroads, connected to the heritage and hospitality of Canal Street and in close proximity to key districts shaping the city’s future.
Long established as a destination for nightlife, hospitality, and LGBTQ+ culture, Canal Street and the wider Gay Village neighbourhood continue to be a defining part of the city’s personality. Nearby, the planned Sister innovation district is set to transform the area with two million square feet of workspace, nine acres of public space, and a network of cultural, leisure, and educational uses. This exciting development will further elevate the neighbourhood, supporting Manchester’s evolution into a global hub for innovation, business, and hospitality.
Shena Simon, 42 Chorlton St., Manchester M1 3HW
