And today we have... lots of hotels in Manchester city centre. But from the point of view of restoration of an older building, there are some great examples of how older buildings can be converted into hotels, retaining features of the original building:
The Radisson Edwardian Free Trade Hall hotel - Controversial, especially Manchester city council's original proposal for a cooling tower shaped building above the older facade. This was rejected in favour of the design by Roger Stephenson architects, which was completed a few years ago. I think it works very well, making sensitive use of the 1854 listed facade, but some still think the facade shouldn't have been used in this way.
The Malmaison - Converted from the Joshua Hoyle building - the exterior is very impressive, the interior very stylish. A contemporary extension works well in contrast to the original building from the 'grand warehouses' era.
What other hotels in Manchester have successfully re-used an older building and what are the assets of the Old Fire Station from the point of view of conversion into a hotel?