Stockport Pyramid

Stockport Pyramid
Stockport Pyramid is located in Greater Manchester
Stockport Pyramid
Stockport Pyramid
Location within Greater Manchester
Stockport Pyramid is located in the United Kingdom
Stockport Pyramid
Stockport Pyramid
Stockport Pyramid (the United Kingdom)
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeCommercial offices
LocationYew Street, Stockport, SK4 2JZ
Coordinates53°24′29″N 2°10′31″W / 53.4080°N 2.1754°W / 53.4080; -2.1754
Construction started1987
Completed1992
OwnerEamar Developments
Height
Roof36.6 m (120 ft)
Technical details
Floor count6
Floor area86,000 sq ft (8,000 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Michael Hyde and Associates
Website
pyramidstockport.com
References
[1][2]

The Stockport Pyramid, otherwise known as the Co-operative Bank Pyramid or simply The Pyramid, is a commercial office building in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England.

History

The Pyramid was intended to be the "signature building" within a larger development scheme that originally included multiple pyramid-shaped buildings.[3] Sources vary on the number of pyramids that were originally planned; some state two further pyramids would be built,[4] whilst others state four more pyramids were planned.[5]

Construction was completed in 1992.[1] During construction, the developers went into administration and the building was repossessed by The Co-operative Banking Group, who had financed the development.[6] Between the completion of the building in 1992 and the occupancy by the Co-operative in 1995, the building was empty.[7] The building was occupied by The Co-operative Bank from 1995 until they relocated to One Angel Square in NOMA in Manchester city centre in 2018.[8]

Several failed development projects near the site, including the pyramid's own unoccupancy immediately after construction and The Co-operative Bank's near-collapse in 2013,[9] led to a superstitious consideration that the site was 'cursed'. The curse was announced as 'lifted' when nearby developments resumed in 2005 with the sale of office blocks in the surrounding business park.[10]

The surrounding business park has been referred to as "The Stopfordian Valley of the Kings",[5] "Kings Reach",[3] or "Kings Valley".[11]

In 2019, the building was bought by the Saudi Arabian investment company Eamar Developments after being advertised for sale in the summer of 2018 for around £4.5 million.[12] The buyer planned to let the site as office space after refurbishment.[13]

In July 2023, plans by restaurant business Royal Nawaab were announced to convert the entire building into a restaurant and banqueting hall.[14] In September 2023, it was confirmed by Royal Nawaab that the conversion will go ahead and the restaurant is due to open in the summer of 2024.[15]

Design

The pyramid has been described as "avant-garde", "aspirational" and an "incongruous structure" compared to the industrial era buildings commonly found in Stockport.[5] Contrary to it commonly being referred to as a pyramid, the Manchester Evening News claims that the building's shape is "more accurately described as a ziggurat".[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Pyramid". Emporis. Retrieved 23 March 2021.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Michael Hyde and Associates Limited". Emporis. Retrieved 23 March 2021.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b "Iconic Stockport Pyramid Hits the Market". Marketing Stockport. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Stockport Pyramid bought by Saudi investor". Marketing Stockport. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "The unknown story behind Stockport's Pyramid - and 'The Valley of the Kings' that never was". Manchester Evening News. June 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Inside the Stockport Pyramid". Marketing Stockport. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Stockport Pyramid hits the market". Place North West. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  8. ^ Begum, Shelina (29 May 2019). "The iconic Stockport Pyramid has been purchased from the Co-op after going on the market for £4.5m". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Co-op Bank apologises and confirms £1.3bn losses". BBC News. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Curse of the Co-op Pyramid is lifted". Manchester Evening News. 12 July 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Stockport's Pyramid building seeks tenants, following costly refurb". Confidentials. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Stockport Pyramid bought by Saudi investor". Place North West. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Eamar Developments to begin refurbishment of Stockport Pyramid". Marketing Stockport. 27 November 2019.
  14. ^ Whelan, Dan (7 July 2023). "Stockport Pyramid to become restaurant". placenorthwest.co.uk. Place North West. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  15. ^ Maidment, Adam. "Stockport Pyramid will become curry house as Indian restaurant unveils first plans". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 October 2023.