Work begins on transforming Piccadilly Gardens pavilion as part of £25m revamp

Work to transform the concrete pavilion in Piccadilly Gardens has commenced.

As per Place North West, Legal & General Investment Management has started work on the redevelopment of the structure.

This is just one part of the proposed £25m transformation of Piccadilly Gardens, an area which has come in for much criticism over the years.

The planned works to transform the pavilion were originally approved back in April 2022, and includes the removal of the roof that connects Bunsik and Blank Street Coffee.

LGIM

It will also see new lighting installed on the structure, as well as a new art installation made from metal, glass and LED lighting by SpaceInvader Design and local artist Lazerian – this will be finished by the end of June 2024.

The Piccadilly Gardens pavilion was originally designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

Its redevelopment is set to complement ‘the council’s wider ambition to transform Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding area’.

LGIM

Rob Codling, senior fund manager for LGIM, said: “We are pleased to begin work on the site and hope that we achieve our combined aim with Manchester City Council in making the space a more enjoyable place for residents and visitors to the city.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Piccadilly Gardens is a prominent location that we want to become an outstanding public space for residents and visitors alike.

“Later this year we look forward to sharing with the public our significant plans to transform the gardens and the surrounding area. In the meantime, it’s great to see this scheme – which will complement the wider plans – begin on site as the first stage in the transformation of the gardens.”

Last year, LDA Design was taken on to create designs for how Piccadilly Gardens will look after its revamp, with a planning application expected later in 2024.