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.
The 97,000 sqft former college will be reimagined for hospitality, retaining and celebrating its original architectural character while introducing a new use that secures its long-term future. The proposed hotel is being brought forward in partnership with Curio Collection by Hilton, a collection of individually distinctive hotels within the wider Hilton portfolio.
The hotel will place the building’s heritage at the heart of the visitor experience, drawing inspiration from its history, architecture and the people and communities connected to the site. The vision is to create a welcoming destination for visitors and the local community, combining hospitality, work, wellness, events and leisure within a distinctive Manchester setting.
A public consultation is currently underway, inviting the local community to view the proposals and share their feedback on the plans for the future of the Shena Simon Campus.
Acquired
sqft
Location
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.
The Manchester College vacated the campus in Autumn 2025, moving its educational services to a new four-storey facility next door to City Campus Manchester. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the building, with the emerging proposals seeking to secure its future through sensitive restoration and creative reuse as a hotel.
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
