Piano manufacturer takes 9,000 sq ft at Transmission House

C. Bechstein will open a piano showroom, practice studios and recital area at Fabrix’s mixed-use building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The German-based C. Bechstein signed a 15-year lease for the site, which will serve be its Northern flagship store. The lease agreement means that the building is more than 60% occupied.

This will also be the historic piano manufacturer’s first purpose-built showroom in the UK since it opened Bechstein Hall – now Wigmore Hall – in London in 1901. The showroom and studio will open in mid-October.

“We are delighted to welcome the world-renowned C. Bechstein to a city already personified by its musical prestige,” said Morgan Baker, investment manager for Fabrix. “Their presence will enrich the city’s cultural fabric and help aid the recovering retail economy.”

Lambourn Commercial represented C. Bechstein on the deal. LTL Property and JLL advised Fabrix.

“As agents acting on behalf of Fabrix, we are delighted to secure an international brand of C. Bechstein’s standing which perfectly matches Fabrix’s vision for the space,” said Jonathan Thompson with LTL Properties.

“We are seeing strong demand across the city at the moment and this tenant will prove a great anchor letting for the development,” he continued. “This deal shows that the Northern Quarter is going from strength to strength and is able to attract international retail brands to a vibrant part of Manchester even during a pandemic.”

Transmission House is located at the corner of Church Street and Tib Street. Developed by Salboy, Transmission House boasts 183 apartments across nine storeys – in addition to its retail offering. Euan Kellie Property Solutions led the planning for the scheme. Domis was the lead contractor and IDP was the architect. Artal was the project manager and cost consultant on the project.

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This *minor* take-up will be *key* in helping the building gain more tenants of *note* and will be a *major* (half-) step for the immediately surrounding area.

It should strike a *chord* with the locals who didn’t take to this *sharp*-looking development, given the lack of *harmony* between it and its neighbours.

Crikey I couldn’t stop myself. Thank god this is anonymous.

By The Squirrel's Nuts

The ‘Squirrels Nuts’ clearly lives in an *ivory* tower spreading this type of *dischord*. The building can’t be *flattened* so suggest you change your *tune*…. 😉

By Stu

Strange choice of location. Nice to hear they chose Manchester though

By Steve

Just *tuning* into this one now. Are there any *strings* attached to this *grand* deal?

By Cheshire boy

Nice story. Is Rushworth and Drapers still going in Liverpool? I often see the organ repairs van on the motorway – or used to before lockdown.

By Bob Dawson

I just hope there’s room for both this Bechstein outlet along with Forsyths on Deansgate in the same city when apart from one or two in London, there are virtually none left on this scale in Britain.

Forsyths is an iconic Manchester shop with a history of over 150 years – it is a city treasure that contributes so much to the city and surrounding area, indeed everywhere that is not close to London; I hope they can survive the inevitable loss of piano sales that will occur with the establishment of this new business.

Be interesting to know why they chose Manchester over say Birmingham for example which has nothing like this, but Manchester now has two such shops in pretty direct competition at a time when retail is struggling so much.

Many of the supposedly funny comments here have missed a very serious point.

By AltPoV

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