Stockport Pyramid

Commercial building in Greater Manchester, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stockport Pyramidmap

The Stockport Pyramid, otherwise known as the Co-operative Bank Pyramid or simply The Pyramid, is a former commercial office building in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. It was converted into an Indian restaurant and banqueting hall which opened in April 2025.

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Stockport Pyramid
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Stockport Pyramid
Location within Greater Manchester
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Stockport Pyramid
Stockport Pyramid (the United Kingdom)
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeCommercial offices (1992–2018)
Restaurant (2025)
LocationYew Street, Stockport, SK4 2JZ
Coordinates53.4080°N 2.1754°W / 53.4080; -2.1754
Construction started1987
Completed1992
Renovated2024–25
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
Official website
References
[1][2]
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History

Summarize
Perspective

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 commenced in 1987 and was completed in 1992.[1][6] During construction, the developers went into administration and the building was repossessed by The Co-operative Banking Group, who had financed the development.[7] Between the completion of the building in 1992 and the occupancy by the Co-operative in 1995, the building was empty.[8] It was occupied by The Co-operative Bank from 1995 until they relocated to One Angel Square in NOMA in Manchester city centre in 2018.[9]

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,[10] 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.[11]

The business park has been referred to as "The Stopfordian Valley of the Kings",[5] "Kings Reach",[3] or "Kings Valley".[12]

Refurbishment

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.[13] The buyer planned to let the site as office space after refurbishment.[14]

In July 2023, plans by restaurant business Royal Nawaab were announced to convert the entire building into a restaurant and banqueting hall.[15] In September 2023, it was confirmed by Royal Nawaab that the conversion would go ahead and the restaurant would open in the summer of 2024.[16] In October 2024, it was reported that the plans would be finalised via Stockport Council's planning committee.[17] Planning approval for the Pyramid's conversion into an Indian restaurant with the capacity to cater for up to 1,500 diners was granted in November 2024.[18] It was expected that the conversion work would be completed and the restaurant opened in April 2025.[19] On 15 April 2025, Royal Nawaab announced a soft opening, allowing bookings for a short period between 17 April and 15 May.[20]

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

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