Manchester has no shortage of event venues, but very few of them come with a building like this. The Rex occupies 100 King Street, the former headquarters of the Midland Bank, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1933 and 1935 in Portland stone with art deco detailing and a castle-like grandeur that earned it the nickname “the King of King Street.” It is a Grade II* listed building, one of Lutyens’ major works in Manchester, and it has recently relaunched under its new name as a 60-bedroom boutique hotel and private members’ club operated by Leonardo Limited Edition Hotels.
The spaces across the property are unlike anything else in Manchester. Dark, mysterious and moody, the Treasury sits within the original bank vaults beneath the building, an immersive underground setting for up to 90 guests standing, ideal for private dining, parties and presentations with an unique atmosphere. Within Treasury sits Strongroom, a discreet private dining room set behind original vault doors on two levels down, centred around a full-size snooker table that converts into a statement dining table — a setup that works well for intimate high-profile dinners or business meetings that need an edge.
Above ground, the offer shifts considerably in tone. Reign, on the sixth floor, is the hotel’s 2 AA Rosette-awarded restaurant, with a private dining room for 12 to 28 guests and views across King Street and Spring Gardens. It is a refined and versatile space, well suited to milestone celebrations, exclusive dinners and corporate entertaining. At the top of the building on the seventh floor, Reserve crowns the hotel with three outdoor terraces overlooking the Manchester skyline. Accessed through vault-like doors and spread across three elegant wings, it handles everything from business lunches and sunset cocktails to intimate private events, and on a clear day the views stretch as far as the Pennines.
For residential events, 60 bedrooms are available. The hotel also offers exclusive hire across the property, with capacity between 10 and 140 guests. King Street sits in the heart of Manchester city centre, within easy reach of the Metrolink network and a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations. For planners looking for something a little different that gives a Manchester event its own distinct identity, The Rex is one to keep an eye on.
