Telegraph Furniture Collaboration Drives Hotel Refurb
A panel discussion revealed how close collaboration between Telegraph Furniture, EPR Architects, and hotel operator THG Experience transformed Manchester's
A Manchester hotel refurbishment succeeded through early and close collaboration between the furniture supplier, architect, and operator. The panel discussion "A Night with Telegraph Furniture," hosted by Design Insider at the King Street Townhouse Hotel & SPA, detailed the process.
Falko Lukesch, General Manager at THG Experience, stated the commercial driver. With Manchester's hotel market growing competitive, the smaller property needed to differentiate through quality to increase room rates. The refurbishment aimed to create a more contemporary and luxurious guest experience while retaining the hotel's established character.
Translating the Brief into Design
Jen Lees, Senior Interior Designer at EPR Architects, explained the design approach. The team developed three distinct bedroom color schemes-red, green, and blue-inspired by the building's late-19th-century Italian Renaissance style. The goal was to create an immersive yet cozy and homely feel that would intrigue guests and encourage return visits.
The Collaborative Process in Practice
Michael Downes, Business Development Manager at Telegraph Furniture, highlighted the value of early involvement. His firm was engaged from the start, allowing time to understand the design direction and contribute to solutions. Weekly meetings fostered open conversations for feedback and quick problem-solving. Being local to Manchester also enabled Telegraph to visit the site and react promptly to questions.
Balancing Ambition with Budget
Budget considerations were a key part of the collaborative exercise. Jen Lees noted the need to spend money wisely, protecting premium moments like a marble-topped bar in the event spaces while balancing luxury with durability in the bedrooms. Michael Downes provided a concrete example of value engineering. A mezzanine coffee table originally specified at nearly £15,000 was reworked. Telegraph Furniture retained its key form and material qualities but rethought their application, developing a significantly more cost-effective solution.
Measuring Success and Future Lessons
The refurbishment is delivering commercially. Falko Lukesch reported that the new event spaces were almost continuously booked from the day after completion, even hosting a wedding one day after handover. The new bedroom types sell first and help drive the average room rate. Existing guests felt the refurbishment retained the familiar "King Street feeling" while elevating the experience. For future projects, Michael Downes emphasized that collaboration works best when all parties are involved from the beginning, allowing the furniture supplier to understand where their products can add the most value.
