| Stockport Pyramid | |
| Location: | Yew Street, Stockport, SK4 2JZ |
| Map Type: | Greater Manchester#UK |
| Pushpin Label: | Stockport Pyramid |
| Coordinates: | 53.408°N -2.1754°W |
| Status: | completed |
| Start Date: | 1987 |
| Completion Date: | 1992 |
| Building Type: | Commercial offices |
| Roof: | 36.6m (120.1feet) |
| Top Floor: | --> |
| Floor Count: | 6 |
| Cost: | --> |
| Floor Area: | 86000square feet |
| Architect: | Michael Hyde and Associates |
| Structural Engineer: | --> |
| Main Contractor: | --> |
| Owner: | Eamar Developments |
| Management: | --> |
| References: | [1] |
The Stockport Pyramid, otherwise known as the Co-operative Bank Pyramid or simply The Pyramid, is a commercial office building in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England.
The Pyramid was intended to be the "signature building" within a larger development scheme that originally included multiple pyramid-shaped buildings.[2] Sources vary on the number of pyramids that were originally planned; some state two further pyramids would be built,[3] whilst others state four more pyramids were planned.[4]
Construction was completed in 1992.[5] During construction, the developers went into administration and the building was repossessed by The Co-operative Banking Group, who had financed the development.[6] Between the completion of the building in 1992 and the occupancy by the Co-operative in 1995, the building was empty.[7] The building was occupied by The Co-operative Bank from 1995 until they relocated to One Angel Square in NOMA in Manchester city centre in 2018.[8]
Several failed development projects near the site, including the pyramid's own unoccupancy immediately after construction and The Co-operative Bank's near-collapse in 2013,[9] led to a superstitious consideration that the site was 'cursed'. The curse was announced as 'lifted' when nearby developments resumed in 2005 with the sale of office blocks in the surrounding business park.[10]
The surrounding business park has been referred to as "The Stopfordian Valley of the Kings", "Kings Reach", or "Kings Valley".[11]
In 2019, the building was bought by the Saudi Arabian investment company Eamar Developments after being advertised for sale in the summer of 2018 for around £4.5 million.[12] The buyer planned to let the site as office space after refurbishment.[13]
In July 2023, plans by restaurant business Royal Nawaab were announced to convert the entire building into a restaurant and banqueting hall.[14] In September 2023, it was confirmed by Royal Nawaab that the conversion will go ahead and the restaurant is due to open in the summer of 2024.[15]
The pyramid has been described as "avant-garde", "aspirational" and an "incongruous structure" compared to the industrial era buildings commonly found in Stockport.[4] Contrary to it commonly being referred to as a pyramid, the Manchester Evening News claims that the building's shape is "more accurately described as a ziggurat".