First phase of Corn Exchange approved
Aviva Investors has been given consent to begin its extensive revamp of the under-performing Triangle, shopping and dining centre in Manchester.
The first phase involves removing modern fittings such as the large screen – not until after the Olympics – other metal structures, lighting and old signage to reveal the Edwardian frontage. There will be new signs fitted as the Triangle reverts to its original Manchester Corn Exchange name.
The works include a new external lighting scheme, which will showcase the architecture and reinforce the Corn Exchange's position as a historical landmark in Manchester city centre.
Philip Nell, Aviva Investors' head of UK retail real estate funds, said: "The initial transformation will complement the wider plans to revitalise this key part of Manchester and help bring new vitality to the centre."
Work is expected to start in the next two weeks. There will also be repairs made to historical stone facades.
Later phases will include reconfiguartion of the internal units – roughly half of the shops are vacant – and creation of new pedestrian routes into and through the centre to make it more accessible and welcoming.
The big wheel is currently being dismantled in Exchange Square as part of the wider plan to improve the public realm between Selfridges, Arndale and Corn Exchange.
The works are partly prompted by the planned creation of a new stop in Exchange Square for the Metrolink Second City Crossing.
The Corn Exchange project team consists of :
- Planning consultants – Drivers Jones Deloitte
- Lead architects – Ian Simpson Architects
- Architects – 5 Plus Architects
- Project manager – Spring & Co
- Signage consultants – ASG
- Designers – Chocolate
- Light consultants – Hoare Lea
- Contractor – Interseve
- Heritage architects – Heritage Architecture
- Restaurant & Catering Consultant – Coverpoint Catering Consultancy
- Interior Designers – Tait Design
- CDM-C – Leslie Clark
- M&E Consultant – Cundall Johnson
- Quantity Surveyors – Arcadis
- Structural Engineer – Buro Happold
UPDATE: Adds project team names
By Ed
I used to work in the old Corn Exchange for a small company called " Phoenix Photo Art " ! The building had an amazing atmosphere & buzz . Sadly after the bombing when the building was turned into the Triangle it lost its character. I came back to the building to work for the centre managment who were savilles, I tried to tell them they should return the buliding back to its former name, but my idea was taken onboard ! Now the new owners have finally realised it was a mistake & wasted money ! I finally have Victory !
By jason burns