Bob W signs ground-up Manchester development, marking further UK and Ireland expansion

Bob W, the tech- and AI-powered hospitality operator, has signed a long-term lease agreement with Bloom Street Hotel Limited for a new 83-unit aparthotel in Manchester city centre, marking a further step in its expansion across the UK and Ireland.

Located at Bloom Street, the new-build development will transform a former ground-level car park into Bob W Manchester City Centre, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2027. The property will comprise 83 self-contained studio apartments across 2400 sqm, alongside shared amenities including a lobby lounge, washateria and luggage storage. Construction has already commenced.

Situated on the vibrant border of Manchester city centre and Salford, the property is located just moments from the Medieval Quarter and the high-end retail offerings of Exchange Square and Deansgate. Residents will be within easy walking distance of major landmarks including Manchester Cathedral, the AO Arena, and the National Football Museum. The development also benefits from exceptional transport links, with Manchester Victoria station reachable in under ten minutes on foot.

The signing strengthens Bob W’s growing presence in the UK and follows its recent expansion into Ireland, underlining the company’s continued focus on key urban markets across the UK and Europe. It also highlights the breadth of Bob W’s real estate platform, spanning conversions, adaptive reuse and ground-up developments.

Bob W’s model combines the consistency and design standards of a lifestyle hotel with the flexibility and convenience of a short-term rental. The company continues to expand its portfolio in major European cities, with a focus on centrally located assets that can deliver both operational efficiency and a high-quality guest experience.

With a portfolio of 100+ assets and 7,000+ apartment units and hotel rooms across Europe and the UK, Bob W continues to expand through a mix of leases, conversions and new-build opportunities, while actively pursuing further properties to support its next phase of growth.

Philip Grace, Chief Development Officer at Bob W, said: “Manchester is one of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing cities, with strong demand from both business and leisure travellers. Securing a prime city centre site for a ground-up development is an exciting milestone for us as we continue to scale our presence across Europe and the UK.

“This project reflects the range of what Bob W can deliver, from repositioning existing buildings to bringing new developments to life from the ground up. We look forward to working closely with our partners to create a property that meets the expectations of modern travellers.”

Bob W’s model combines the consistency and design standards of a lifestyle hotel with the flexibility and convenience of a short-term rental. The company continues to expand its portfolio in major European cities, with a focus on centrally located assets that can deliver both operational efficiency and a high-quality guest experience.

With a portfolio of 100+ assets and 7,000+ apartment units and hotel rooms across Europe and the UK, Bob W continues to expand through a mix of leases, conversions and new-build opportunities, while actively pursuing further properties to support its next phase of growth.