Common has been 100% reborn harder, better, faster, stronger, having shape-shifted in collaboration with the full Common team and now boasts a hand-crafted interior from designer-maker Peter Masters and fixtures from ceramicist Joe Hartley.
The new venue is about breakfast, lunch, drinking and dining, opening bright and early from 9am for coffee and breakfast, with table service throughout the day for diners, and staying open til late with 100% killer DJs on hand every weekend.
A new basement level houses all the utilities to make more room for more bar upstairs, meaning Common now has 40 extra covers and an XL enhanced bar with XXL enlarged beer range including an ever changing range of ten keg lines and two cask stars.
The lighter, brighter space continues to champion the city’s art and design scene, but taking a step forward, this time art becomes part of the bar, and Common will evolve and develop as new artists make their mark.
The design is focused on craftsmanship and storytelling - each element has its own backstory - and all the custom made pieces are eco-friendly, low impact and locally sourced.
The interior, by Peter Masters, is inspired by textures and colours, bringing the outdoors in with cladding and pebble-dash installed on the inside walls using traditional techniques. Common also commissioned Peter to make bespoke tables and chairs for the venue, made by craftsmen in Manchester from solid ash and birch plywood.
The Joe Hartley ceramics, showcased in Common’s first exhibition, include bespoke beer pump handles, coffee tampers and lampshades, the first step in Common’s aim to make art an essential part of the space.
Jonny Heyes of Common comments: ‘We’ve just celebrated ten years of Common, so it felt like the right time to redevelop the space and take a step forward. We brought on Joe and Peter to create a new vision and direction for the interior, and worked with our entire team to develop and improve every element of the bar from coffee to cocktails.’
This city's new 'super hotel'; Hotel Gotham is set over seven floors, each with wonderful views across Manchester. The reception and restaurant will be on the 6th floor, with a striking club bar on the 7th .
Internal restoration includes the reincarnation of the main staircase, the brass handrail, its balustrades, mouldings and terrazzo flooring. The Art Deco influence can be seen in the striking bespoke geometric carpets running throughout the corridors & bedrooms. Beautifully rich wall finishes of metal, wood, leather and ceramic are used extensively and provide a richness and decadence that evoke emotions and moods of the past.
Lead-designer, Oliver Redfern of Squid-Inc commented: “We wanted to pay tribute to a major building designed by ‘one of the greatest British architects’, Edwin Lutyens whilst injecting a distinct fresh personality. I’m sure the guests will have as much fun at Hotel Gotham as we have had in creating it".
In addition to providing opulent bedroom spaces, starting a £150 per night, Hotel Gotham will also present high end eating and drinking options. The Honey Restaurant will serve a modern twist on brasserie classics. Menus and cocktails will reflect the art deco heritage, and feature local suppliers and tastes such as Beetroot Gravadlax, Lamb Hotpot, Coq au Vin, Manchester Tart, Warm Rhubarb and Pistachio Bakewell, Gotham Kirsch cake, Lancashire cheese and Cheshire ham. The dining room features half-moon windows, providing fascinating views across Manchester and continues the reflection on the building's past with Bowler hat displays, green glass wall lamps and 1900’s Banker style chairs.
Club Brass, a nod to the money that used to be held in the building, is an exclusive rooftop retreat for VIPs. Reached via an illuminated steel & brass staircase inspired by bank vaults of old and through safe doors, the Club sits within the original light well space still with its original glazed tiles and feature antique-leather satchel pendant lights. The menu will offer all day dining and include “Lady Connie Crumpsall’s favourite”, Royal Oscietra Caviar, Oyster Po Boy and a Brass seafood platter. Cocktails, with liqueurs and spirits created exclusively by Sipsmith Independent Spirits.
Jeff Ward, General Manager and Managing Director: “After two years of anticipation for Hotel Gotham, we are excited to be open for Spring 2015. New beginnings for this fabulous building. The service, special attention and twinkle in the eye will make a stay at Hotel Gotham a memorable experience”.
Velvet central has closed, following liquidation. Will that unit ever be able to hold onto a resident for more than a year or so? Being in such a prime location, you’d hope so!. _ Apr 2015
Craft Microbrewery Seven Brothers is opening a bar in Ancoats, following on from their Salford Quays launch last year. _ Apr 2015
Quality purveyor of steaks Gaucho have expanded their operations to include a plush bar. You don’t have to go far though, as it's on the current premises. _ Apr 2015
In what looks to be a professional operation, the safe from Luck Lust Liquor & Burn has been stolen. The huge safe was taken from the basement office, at around 2am, with thieves gaining access to the properly via scaffolding leading to a window. _ Apr 2015
After the shock closure of Eden earlier this year, village regulars will be glad to know that the iconic location has reopened after an extensive refit as Bar/Restaurant Delicatezze. _ Apr 2015
The company behind Northern Quarter favourites Hula, Walrus and Rosylee to name but a few; MAD (Mark Anthony Developments) has applied for planning permission for a restaurant and bar in Basil Chambers (5 Nicholas Croft). MAD have announced the new venue name is TBC, and will be a unique concept in Manchester. The restaurant will open in late Spring, with the bar following in Summer. MAD has also secured the Habib Bank A G Zurich site in Stevenson Sq next to Rosylee. Details on this venture are yet to be released for this location
. _ Apr 2015
