When Hotels Become Part of the City: How Treehouse Manchester Shows the Power of Local Art
Every city has its own rhythm, its own stories, sounds, textures, and pulse. And while many hotels try to nod toward their city’s culture through a few decorative gestures, very few actually feel like they belong to the place they inhabit.
Treehouse Hotel Manchester does.
Walking inside, you immediately feel it: the reclaimed wood, the thoughtful nods to the city’s legendary music scene, the small design cues that honour Manchester’s identity rather than imitate it. Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Instead, the entire space feels like it has grown naturally out of the city itself.
This is where design stops being surface-level aesthetics and transforms into something cultural.
Why Local Art Matters in Hospitality
One of the most powerful elements of the Treehouse Manchester project is its commitment to championing local artists, including the brilliant and expressive Caroline Dowsett, whose recent collaboration adds real soul to the space.
Caroline’s work doesn’t just decorate a wall.
It connects the building to the city around it.
Good art in hospitality does exactly this. It doesn’t exist in isolation, it spills into the streets, mirrors local energy, and helps visitors understand the spirit of the place they’re in. It creates the feeling that you’re not simply passing through a hotel, but stepping into a living part of the city.
And that’s the point.
People don’t travel just to stay in “nice hotels.”
They travel to feel connected, to step into a story they don’t yet know.
Art is one of the most underestimated tools for making that possible.
Design That Reflects a City, Not Just References It
Far too often, hospitality spaces opt for generic artwork chosen for colour palettes rather than meaning. But when hotels collaborate with local artists, the dynamic shifts completely.
Suddenly, the space becomes:
Authentic: rooted in the place rather than decorated for it
Human: reflecting real voices, real stories, real history
Culturally relevant: supporting the community rather than extracting from it
Memorable: because guests feel part of something bigger
Manchester has always been a city that wears creativity loudly and proudly. And this project reflects that spirit with honesty and intention.
Treehouse Hotel didn’t just include art.
They used art to say something meaningful.
How Hospitality Brands Can Do This Well
Treehouse Manchester is a great example of what happens when hotels take creativity seriously and work directly with local talent. For brands looking to follow in their footsteps, here are a few simple principles:
1. Start with the city, not the mood board
What stories already exist in the neighbourhood? What histories deserve attention? Authenticity starts at street-level.
2. Work with local artists intentionally, not tokenistically
Commission or collaborate in a way that honours the artist’s voice and style don’t dilute it.
3. Let the artwork live, not just hang
Artworks should feel connected to the emotions, movement, and atmosphere of the space.
4. Use art as a bridge between the hotel and the wider community
When guests can feel the city inside the hotel, it becomes part of their experience.
Celebrating Art With Heart, Purpose, and Soul
Manchester has always been a home for bold creativity. By partnering with artists like Caroline Dowsett, Treehouse Hotel has found a way to celebrate the city’s identity with depth and authenticity.
It’s a reminder that when art is placed at the centre of hospitality not as a finishing touch but as the foundation, spaces become more than good-looking interiors.
They become stories you can walk into.
