This week saw Manchester City Council approve the transformation of the former Presbar Diecasting Foundry on Store Street into ‘Diecast‘ a large beer hall, brewery, night market, bakery, offices and expansive green gardens.
A Very Inc, headed up by directors Joel Wilkinson and Adelade Winter, Dan Mullen founders of Mission Mars and the people responsible for Albert Schloss, Deaf Institute, Ramona and The Firehouse, are behind the project to transform the huge site into a new creative neighbourhood.
Previously operating as an aluminium diecast factory and distribution centre, the space is massive – a 200,000 sq ft plot which is split into two distinct areas, the foundry which dates back to 1870, and a larger modern warehouse from 1983, complete with high ceilings and corrugated steel exterior.
The council have green-lit the plans but “on a temporary basis only” considering the potential regeneration benefits of the site in the longer term.
A planning report argued that “due to the large amount of capital required, 3 years is considered to strike a balance between viability/reasonableness of the scheme, and the relevant consideration to long term objectives/potential externalities of the area.”
The plans include a massive Beer Hall and Brewery, complete with visible brewing vessels, long communal tables and a large selection of beer taps. There’s also set to be a Night Market, featuring small traders, stalls, and even circus and theatre performers.
During the daytime, the Store Street corner of the building will be transformed into an artisan bakery, deli, coffee shop and taproom, while a Barbecue Open Kitchen will serve simple, rustic street food cooked on the wood grill.
Outside, the garden will feature long tables with a herb garden and bee hives; “a city centre place to sit in nature.”
The site will also feature a range of independent shops, plus affordable short, flexible term offices, workshops and studios, and a neighbourhood ‘old school’ gym.
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Work on Diecast is set to begin soon. Keep up to date with the project here:
