CORN Exchange Manchester will be transformed into one of the UKs biggest and best dining destinations according to new plans revealed by the buildings owners, Aviva Investors.
With a £15m planned investment the historic Grade II listed building is set to become home to a collection of the best new and independent restaurants and food retail outlets in the region. Above is a CGI of how it should look.
Built in 1897, Corn Exchange has not made the most of its potential since, after being danged by the 1996 IRA Bomb it re-opened as The Triangle in 2000. But the owners new vision for it as a food destination, heritage attraction and stepping stone to adjoining sectors of the city centre promises to breathe new life into this iconic building, once a much-loved bric a brac emporium and quirky office space.
Expect a total transformation of the interior, exposing the most beautiful elements of its Edwardian architecture and creating a huge, indoor city square with a through arcade.
The surrounding streetscape will also benefit from the new vision with tables and chairs transforming Exchange Square, Cathedral Gardens, Cathedral Street and Fennel Street into an al fresco-dining destination .
Simon Green, spokesman for building owners Aviva Investors said: We have ambitious plans for this incredible building. The refurbished Corn Exchange will provide an environment where the best regional and independent food outlets can flourish in this incredible building a gastronomic exchange featuring at least a dozen new restaurants and independent food retail outlets
Subject to achieving Planning and Listed building consent, it is anticipated that the new scheme will be completed late 2014.
Queensberry Real Estate will oversee the redevelopment. Stuart Harris of Queensberry is pictured above with Simon Green inside The Triangle.
The Corn Exchange is currently home to a clutch of quality independent food operators, notably Zinc, Salvis and Tampopo. It is still unclear if they will be forced to re-locate during the revamp.
A tentative taste of things to come is an autumn event curated by Edge Street Events, organisers of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. The Pop-up Drink Emporium (Thurs Oct 24-Sun Oct 27) will hire out vacant retail spaces to drinks operators to celebrate the best in craft tipples. Top DJs will provide musical accompaniment and there will be a food element, too. More details to come on Taste of Manchester.