A new free exhibition is now open – allowing visitors to open the door into the rich history of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings – the Refuge Assurance Building, now the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, and become part of its story themselves.
Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline will transform the walls of the hotel’s Refuge bar and dining space, charting the building’s remarkable journey from its beginnings in 1895 as the Refuge Assurance Building to its current life as one of the city’s most loved luxury hotels.
Interestingly, the clocktower – now the building’s most recognisable feature – was not included in the original architectural plans. Archival photographs and original architectural drawings will illustrate this and other key milestones in the building’s evolution.
Alongside the story of the building itself, the exhibition also highlights the people who have shaped the building over the decades. Portraits and personal stories of former employees are featured, including a couple who first met there and returned many years later as married hotel guests.
Today, the building is home to the luxurious Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – a Grade II listed terracotta landmark that blends historic grandeur with contemporary style. Inside its iconic facade are 270 loft-style rooms, including 11 spacious suites, all designed to maximise the original double- and triple-height ceilings. Original features like glazed bricks, decorative tiles, stained glass and carved wooden staircases sit comfortably alongside contemporary touches. In the lobby, a three-metre-tall bronze horse by artist Sophie Dickens is set on a former horse-and-carriage turning circle to greet guests and offers a quiet nod to the building’s past.
Among the hotel’s most recent developments is Suite No.51 – Manchester’s first three-bedroom suite. Created within what was once the Directors’ office, it now offers guests an exceptional VIP experience and a unique home-from-home in the city.
David Lockhart, General Manager at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, said: “As we mark 130 years of our remarkable building, we’re proud to spotlight the people, history and legacy that make the clocktower so special. This iconic landmark has long been a cherished part of Manchester’s skyline, loved by both locals and visitors. Through this exhibition, we’re excited to open our doors and invite everyone to explore the rich story behind the clocktower.”
As part of the exhibition, visitors will be invited to leave their own mark in an interactive guest book – sharing memories, stories and connections to the building, and continuing the legacy of a space that has meant so much to so many for over a century.
Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline is free to view on the walls of Refuge, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, from 12pm on 12 June for a limited time only.
