Mollie’s unveils landmark urban debut in Manchester in December 2025

Architectural and broadcast icon from the 1950s and 1960s

The new city destination will occupy 10,000sqm of the northern city’s 1950s landmark, the Old Granada Studios in Quay Street, the first purpose-built television studio in the UK. It is opening on December 5, 2025.

Granada’s TV’s output was always resolutely ‘from the North’, representing the culture, creativity and diversity of the region. Mollie’s own vision is to create a vibrant and inclusive social hub in the heart of the bustling city of Manchester. The building once echoed performances from world-famous groups and stars such as The Beatles or Sex Pistols beside countless British icons.

Designed by architect Ralph Tubbs for Cecil and Sidney Bernstein, the founders of Granada TV, the studios opened in 1956 and remain a true reflection of the post-war modernist style. Mollie’s transformation respects and enhances the character of the original building, retaining the striking glass and grey-granite facade.

The legendary building has been imaginatively re-invented – in a collaboration with Soho House Design – preserving the modernist facade and making playful nods to the building’s vibrant history, while also drawing on Manchester’s creative community to bring the work of artists and makers to the interior design story.

Mollie’s Manchester will offer 128 rooms across five floors, with prices from £139. Rooms range from classic doubles, twins and bunk rooms to studios and several luxe suites featuring freestanding bathtubs, walk-in wardrobes and Peloton bikes.

Granada TV atmosphere preserved

The rooms are a contemporary nod to the building‘s architectural heritage with dark wood paneling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes, rain showers and dreamy, super king beds – as well as Mollie’s latest technology and renowned touchpoints, including Dyson Airwraps and hairdryers, GHD straighteners and Cowshed products.

On the sixth floor, there are 23 bedrooms designed specifically for Soho House members, ranging from ‘cosy’ rooms to large suites with living space. This floor also includes an 80 sqm private apartment with an open plan living room with kitchenette, dining table and lounge area and a connecting second bedroom.

The first floor will feature a state-of-the-art Soho House gym also accessible to Mollie’s overnight guests. Changing rooms will have showers, vanity areas and lounge spaces to unwind after training.

The ground floor features the classic Mollie’s Diner subtly re-imagined for urban Manchester with 110 seats and private dining for 30. The diner features dark wood, brass finishes and a mid-century look inspired by the building’s modernist architecture and its roots in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In this modern take on the retro-American diner, guests can choose to dine at classic counter seating or relax into luxe leather banquettes inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac.

Also on the ground floor, Manchester’s generous lounge-lobby combines bar, food-on-the-go, sociable co-working space and an informal living-room vibe. A signature of the Mollie’s brand, the lobby sets out to create a welcoming community hub for work and play. In addition, a suite of private work-spaces will feature meeting rooms and lounges available for exclusive hire.

And as music is at the heart of Old Granada Studios, this legacy will be reborn downstairs in Mollie’s at Studio IV, an open-plan cocktail bar with live music and entertainment aiming to celebrate Manchester’s vibrant music scene and nurture local talent.

Expansion to Edinburgh

Mollie’s Manchester is part of St John’s, the city’s emerging cultural neighborhood. It is set on the once-industrial quays of the River Irwell, between Castlefield, Spinningfields and Manchester Central. Deansgate Station, Manchester Opera House and the Museum of Science and Industry are all within walking distance.

Mollie’s also linked up with award-winning developers Parabola for a new site at Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh. Set to become the chain’s fourth property, the proposed hotel and diner will be located close to Edinburgh Park Station. It is scheduled to open in 2028, subject to planning permission and licensing.

The Edinburgh Park site will span approximately 73,000 sq ft and feature around 200 rooms, a diner with an outdoor terrace, meeting and event spaces, and ample cycle and car parking with electric vehicle charging stations.