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.
| Stockport Pyramid | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Stockport Pyramid Location within Greater Manchester  Stockport Pyramid Stockport Pyramid (the United Kingdom) | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Location | Yew Street, Stockport, SK4 2JZ |
| Coordinates | 53°24′29″N 2°10′31″W / 53.4080°N 2.1754°W |
| Construction started | 1987 |
| Completed | 1992 |
| Owner | Eamar Developments |
| Height | |
| Roof | 36.6 m (120 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 6 |
| Floor area | 86,000 sq ft (8,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Michael Hyde and Associates |
| Website | |
| pyramidstockport | |
| References | |
| [1][2] | |
History
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b "The Pyramid". Emporis. Retrieved 23 March 2021.[dead link]
- ^ "Michael Hyde and Associates Limited". Emporis. Retrieved 23 March 2021.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Iconic Stockport Pyramid Hits the Market". Marketing Stockport. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Stockport Pyramid bought by Saudi investor". Marketing Stockport. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Inside the Stockport Pyramid". Marketing Stockport. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Stockport Pyramid hits the market". Place North West. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Co-op Bank apologises and confirms £1.3bn losses". BBC News. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Curse of the Co-op Pyramid is lifted". Manchester Evening News. 12 July 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Stockport's Pyramid building seeks tenants, following costly refurb". Confidentials. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Stockport Pyramid bought by Saudi investor". Place North West. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Eamar Developments to begin refurbishment of Stockport Pyramid". Marketing Stockport. 27 November 2019.
- ^ Whelan, Dan (7 July 2023). "Stockport Pyramid to become restaurant". placenorthwest.co.uk. Place North West. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Maidment, Adam. "Stockport Pyramid will become curry house as Indian restaurant unveils first plans". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 October 2023.