What is Kimpton Clocktower Hotel?
Formerly the Refuge Assurance Building, this Grade II* listed red brick and terracotta landmark is one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings. While it sits on the edge of the city centre and Hulme, its imposing presence and the “Refuge” bar inside make it a must-visit for photographers.
Why Shoot Here?
- Victorian Gothic Architecture: The exterior is a masterpiece of Victorian design, featuring a massive clock tower that can be seen from across the city.
- The Winter Garden: Inside, The Refuge features a stunning “Winter Garden” with a glass roof and indoor trees, providing a unique and lush interior setting.
- Industrial-Chic Interiors: The bar area combines original architectural features with modern design, perfect for lifestyle and architectural interior photography.
- Grand Scale: The sheer scale of the building’s hallways and public spaces offers numerous opportunities for dramatic, wide-angle shots.
Best Times to Shoot
- Late afternoon (golden hour): Warm sunlight catches the red brick and terracotta exterior, enriching the colour and casting long shadows that reveal the ornate facade details.
- Midday for the Winter Garden: When the sun is overhead, the glass roof floods the indoor garden space with bright, even light — ideal for lush, vibrant interior shots.
- Evening (after 6pm): The Refuge bar fills with atmospheric warm lighting and social energy, creating a moody, lifestyle-rich environment for interior photography.
- Blue hour: The illuminated clock tower stands out dramatically against the darkening sky — shoot from Oxford Road for the full facade with the tower as the focal point.
Composition Ideas
- Shoot the clock tower from Oxford Road: Use a 35–50mm lens from across the street to capture the full height of the tower rising above the red brick facade, including surrounding context.
- Wide-angle the Winter Garden interior: Stand at one end of the glass-roofed garden and use a 16–24mm lens to capture the full canopy of indoor trees, greenery and the glass ceiling above.
- Use the grand hallways for depth: Position yourself in the long corridors and shoot toward a vanishing point, letting the ornate ceiling, tiling, and lighting create rich leading lines.
- Detail shots of Victorian terracotta and tile: Get close to the original decorative terracotta mouldings, mosaic floor tiles, and carved stonework with a 50–85mm lens for texture-focused heritage shots.