Explore the fascinating journey of Manchester’s Corn Exchange.
From post-devastation revival in 2000 to its current vibrant status in 2023
Uncover its restoration, its transformation into a shopping haven, and then its rebirth as a premium dining and leisure destination. Delve into its visual evolution, architectural renaissance and sustainability accolades. Join us on a captivating trip through time at the Corn Exchange.
(The Triangle Shopping Centre, c2005. Courtesy of Alamy Ltd.)
2000
Following the devastation from the 1996 attack (see here for more info), rebuilding began on the Corn Exchange. Original features were restored, 800 window frames were replaced and 1700sq metres of new glass was installed in to the windows, the main glass dome and the secondary domes – these can be seen in each balcony that sits on the vertex of our triangle shape. Originally only two of these second domes existed so it was at this point that a third secondary dome was also introduced with one in each of the vertices that remains to this day.
Gone were the flea market stalls and collectable items and instead opened The Triangle Shopping Centre, a modern shopping destination with 55 high end brands like Adidas, Muji, O’Neill and Jigsaw plus more, it was also home to local radio station Galaxy Manchester.
The original Exchange Hall floor was opened up to reveal the basement and the centre became a three tiered complex with a contemporary design that included a glass lift surrounded by an ‘orange peel’ staircase and the iconic Sky Bar. Unfortunately, the centre was not as successful as anticipated.
(Inside The Triangle Shopping Centre, 2005. Courtesy of Alamy Ltd.)
The building was sold in 2012 and renamed the Corn Exchange until it closed its doors on Saturday 19th July, 2014 following a closing down sale. Every item remaining, including fixtures and fittings, were to be sold for £10 with all monies going to the Forever Manchester charity – but we don’t like to talk about how that turned out, let’s just say it is one for the story books!
Take a look inside The Triangle Shopping Centre in this late 1990’s TV advert.
(The Corn Exchange, c2012. Courtesy of Barrie Price)
2013
In 2013, we were joined by artist Alex Blakey of Alx Creations who completed a collection of castings around the building for a public art display entitled ‘A glance through time’.
‘A glance through time’ was an exploration of the history of the Corn Exchange reflected through glass. Exploring our exterior stonework, Alex took direct castings and here we can see a photo of one casting in progress above the entrance to Roomzzz Aparthotel along with the finished piece on display.
(Alex Blakey casting in progress, 2013. Courtesy of AXL Creations.)
Look up when you next visit and you’ll see a wealth of history so easily overlooked but integral to our city.
Head to view our History of the Corn Exchange Exhibition in our atrium and you will see this finished piece on display.
(‘A glance through time’ exhibition, 2013. Courtesy of AXL Creations.)
2015
Following the closure of The Corn Exchange / The Triangle Shopping Centre, 5Plus Architects were appointed to rejuvenate the venue and build on the success of its existing restaurant brands whilst introducing a hotel to the upper floors.
Phase I was completed in 2015 and focused on creating a dining destination for 19 bars and restaurants. Many of the original features which had been covered up were now unveiled and the structure of the internal atrium and original trading floor level were reinstated with Yorkstone flooring. The central atrium, with its magnificent, glazed dome became a covered dining area. Progress work to complete this can be seen in this image of the ‘trading’ floor being re-instated.
By 2016, most of the units were fully let and in the same year, the building went on to win the ‘Catering and Leisure Destination of the Year Award’ at the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) Gold Awards.
(Reinstation of the Exchange Hall Trading Floor, 2015. Courtesy of Adrian Lambert Photography.)
2018
The second phase of the current building was completed by 2018 with the second, third, fourth and fifth floors converted from commercial offices to a 114-bedroom Roomzzz Aparthotel which still remains today.
The structural constraints of the Grade II listed building, means that a tailored design was adopted with the building’s turret on the corner of Exchange Square and Cathedral Street, transforming into a unique guest room which you can book for your own castle in the Manchester sky.
The original heritage features of the building were kept such as terrazzo flooring, decorative wrought iron railing, mahogany balustrades and glazed Victorian wall tiles which can be seen throughout the hotel and other parts of the building today.
(Corn Exchange Office entrance, 1973. Courtesy of Historic England.)
The building went on to win a Preservation & Rejuvenation Award at the North West Regional Construction Awards in 2019 recognising the achievement of high standards in the repair, re-use and revitalisation of the region’s historic buildings, sites and places.
(Roomzzz Aparthotel reception, 2019.)
2023
In 2023, the Corn Exchange continues to welcome visitors both local and from far afield. We now find ourselves home to 14 restaurants with cuisines from all around the globe including India, Greece, Japan, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam and more.
We are also home to a beautiful atrium bar that is a great spot no matter the Manchester weather, a bubble tea café bringing delights from Japan, an escape room experience, the U.K.’s first ever FREE book swap vending machine and the latest social craze, Sixes Social Cricket. Alongside the beautiful Roomzzz Aparthotel.
In 2023, we were awarded the prestigious Green Apple Environment Award for International Beautiful Buildings and were presented with a commemorative trowel which felt quite fitting, Head to earlier in our history to discover why.
(The Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, 2022. Courtesy of Tim Ainsworth Photography)
