Manchester Hall reveals what the masons have been hiding for years!
| 3rd November 2017
An iconic Grade II listed Manchester Hall revealed its secrets to invited guests for the first time following a multi-million pound refurbishment.
The former Freemasons Hall on Manchester’s Bridge Street was left untouched for decades and over two years has been spent sensitively transforming the building to bring it up to date. It is now set to be one of Manchester’s premier venues for weddings, parties, fashion shoots and shows, conferences and much more.
Around 600 guests were given the keys to the doors of Manchester Hall for the launch party and were directed from room to room for a different big reveal in each one – including one set out as if it was waiting a masonic ceremony – before it transformed into a dance floor with a DJ set by Hacienda DJ Graeme Park.
In the function room with its huge glass chandelier, guests applauded as a bride and groom stepped shyly onto the dance floor for their first dance. It started as a smooch but then three other male dancers from JK Dance Productions joined them for an stunning surprise routine to Voodoo Ray by A Guy Called Gerald (see video above).
Elsewhere there was a fashion showcase sponsored by House of Fraser, featuring brands such as Ralph Lauren and LK Bennett, and a beauty room featuring brands such as YSL, Dior and Sisley.
Meanwhile in the library, there was a separate fashion installation by Look Beyond Me with models wearing clothes by Philip Armstrong – a fashion favourite of celebrities including Dannii Minogue, Katy Perry and Abbey Clancy; and with professional hair styling using Tamara Eccleston’s brand, SHOW Beauty.
Very few people outside the Freemasons have had the opportunity to go inside Manchester Hall before the launch party. It was built by Percy Scott Worthington in 1929 – the same architect who designed Manchester Grammar School (with Francis Jones) and Manchester Cathedral.
Exquisite period details include pillars, oak paneling and intricate plasterwork including Freemasons’ iconography on the ceilings. Many of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows, giving fantastic natural daylight and views of Bridge Street and beyond.
Manchester Hall’s magnificent floating staircase is one-of-a-kind in England and makes a stunning photo backdrop. Indeed happy couples could get married on the stairs should they wish to – the whole building is fully licensed for civil ceremonies.
For more details visit manchesterhall.co.uk.