Manchester City Council has asked for a meeting with the new owners of One Piccadilly to discuss the future of the controversial Piccadilly Wall.
The landmark is part of the £75m sale of the block of offices and restaurants at the Portland Street end of Piccadilly Gardens, presently being finalised between current owners Europa Holdings and L&G Properties.
The subject of the wall, despised by many Mancunians for being “drab, dirty and imposing”, arose following the recent sale of City Tower to Schroder. However, it appears that the latest deal will see ownership of the wall pass from the council to L&G under the terms of the 200-year lease.
As a result the council see the sale as a “huge opportunity” to address the issue, and chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein has written to L&G requesting talks over the wall along with the general appearance of Piccadilly Gardens.
Suggestions regarding the future of the wall from Manchester Evening News readers include covering it in greenery or transforming it into a Manchester wall of fame, although many call for its complete demolition.
The wall is the work of Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and was built during the 2002 makeover of Piccadilly Gardens. He has previously stated that he would have no objection to the ‘living wall’ proposal as he has designed similar schemes in Japan.
“For me, just because the building is built does not mean it is completed and it is in the final form,” he said.
The council’s city centre chief, Pat Karney, confirms that they have approached L&G and says that he hopes that, together, they can forge a partnership that will benefit Piccadilly Gardens and the public
