Boxer Amir Khan has partnered with a Manchester-based architecture practice to build a wedding venue which will create 200 jobs and is due for completion later this year. Khan said the “reality is far beyond expectations and visions” he had in mind of how the venue would look.
Seed Architects are to assist with the completion of a wedding hall business venture in Bolton started in 2013. The enterprise centre, originally the mastermind of world champion boxer Amir Khan, was designed but never completed.
So far Khan has been unable to complete the project due to a number of complications.
Seven years later director Rob Hotchkiss from Seed Architects met with Khan at the building and set about getting it back on track.
While works were ongoing in the drawing studio with another client of Seed Architects, who they had recently helped to gain planning for a large mill in Bolton, Capital Excellency decided to come onboard and agreed a long-term lease with Khan. The agreement included the completion of the wedding venue.
The venue was set to be the destination for weddings, with initial plans including shops, restaurants, parking for 200 cars, a rooftop bar, and three wedding halls for receptions.
As well as the wedding business, Khan planned to turn the wasteland at the back of the site into housing, having met with Bolton Council to seek planning permission. Seed Architects are also involved with this, and discussions are ongoing.
Initially, it was hoped the project would be completed in August 2020 and create 200 jobs in the area, however the scheme suffered a number of setbacks.
Seed Architects is now working with Excellency Plaza on the project which is due for completion later this year.
Rob Hotchkiss, director at Seed Architects, said: “It’s great to be working on this exciting project, we have some inspiring ideas for the building and are working closely with the client. Initially working with Amir was fantastic, he had a vision of what he wanted and I feel for him that he had been let down badly by the previous team.
“Amir and I hit it off immediately and have remained in close contact ever since, he is a fantastic guy and we will pride ourselves on finishing off his vision.”
Mohammed Jaberansari, representative of Excellency Plaza, added: “We are keen to get started on site. I like working With Rob and his team at Seed Architects he is very reliable and always answers my call no matter the time or day of the week. “
