Monday, 20 February 2012
Kings of King Street: Jamie vs Rio
These grand buildings at the top end of King Street were built by Manchester wealth of the 19th and 20th centuries. Two of them are former banks which now house restaurants owned by two of today's wealthy celebrities. On the left we have Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italian and in the turreted building on the middle right we have footballer Rio Ferdinand's Italian, Rosso.
The white building was formerly the Midland Bank (where I banked in splendour for many years!), built in the 1930s to an Edwin Lutyens design. Original features have been retained, including marble clad columns, intricate mahogany wall panellings and a number of historic art deco features. Thе vaults аnԁ safety deposit boxes hаνе bееn also incorporated іntο thе design.
Jamie says of his restaurant which opens today: “I hope thаt whеn Manchester see thе restaurant thеу feel wе′ve looked аftеr thеіr building sensitively. [I hope] thаt thеу Ɩіkе іt, іt’s got energy, gorgеουѕ food, fаntаѕtіс ingredients, cooked bу community people аnԁ really accessible. I јυѕt hope thеу delight іn іt and wе really wіƖƖ look аftеr thеm, аnd whаt саn thеу expect? EхсеƖƖеnt food, ехсеƖƖеnt drink, ехсеƖƖеnt atmosphere, fοr sure.”
Photos of the inside at Manchester Confidential.
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Dunno about Rio's place but I do like Jamie's Italian here in Leeds, nice people.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Rio F had a restaurant! I expect popular with United fans but not so with City.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right Mark- and it is very red in decor. Expect there are enough Utd fans- and those who don't care either way- to keep it going though. I prefered the venue that Rosso is in in a previous, non-Rio incarnation when it was a rather swish bar.
DeleteInteresting, really.
DeleteWow! Every city has them... banks now restaurants. Too many banks I guess.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot Chrissy!
ReplyDeleteThe buildings are handsome! I'm glad people who can afford to take care of them own them.
ReplyDeleteSo you'll have to give us a review of Jamie's Italian when you've been Chrissy. What a fabulous building and surrounds to open a restaurant!
ReplyDeleteI've seen Jamie Oliver on US tv on the odd occasion... I'll be that restaurant will be very good...
ReplyDeleteIt is said, that food keeps body, mind and soul together. Wonderful buildings indeed. Nice that they are taken care of. Please have a good Tuesday ahead.
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Pete always says about Manchester architecture, 'when walking in town, look up.'
ReplyDeleteUncle Pete is very wise Katie- I have long heeded his advice!
DeleteLove that composition. Great shot.
ReplyDeleteIs this the bank with all that jewellery, a gun and Joy Division master tapes??
It could well be Cara, I will have to investigate...
DeleteLove seeing old buildings re-purposed, instead of being bulldozed!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful!