DV8 Designs were approached by Northwest property development and investment company the Heaton Group to consult on and deliver a concept design of a new food hall at the iconic Eckersley Mills £200m regeneration and transformative project near the heart of Wigan and within the Pier Quarter area.
Working alongside their master planning architectural practice, Manchester based Horizon | fletcher – rae, the brief to DV8 was to design an economically sustainable food and beverage concept that would be at the heart of the development project with a multi operational food hall and micro-brewery operation to be housed within the ground floor of the mill.
Located in the Eckersley Mills site, spanning 17 acres, the project centres around a group of Grade 2 listed mills constructed between 1883 and 1920. Situated near the heart of Wigan, the site falls between the Wigan Pier Conservation Area designated in 1987 to acknowledge the historical importance of a significant concentration of specialised industrial architecture from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.
Visually the finished concept has been sympathetic to the building’s heritage and industrial past, whilst also incorporating modern and relevant elements. DV8 worked within strict planning, M&E and operational constraints to develop the 15,000 sqft. food hall into a uniquely exciting 350 cover operation encompassing at least six operator kitchens as well two bar operations, spacious external terrace, and a self-contained micro-brewery to offer a unique social experience for a diverse audience to enjoy from morning through to the evening. Drawing on DV8’s extensive hospitality experience, DV8 delivered detailed space plans and rendered 3D models to enable the Heaton Group team to accurately cost the project and build a comprehensive operational business model to attract a quality operator to help deliver the project.
John Heaton said of the appointment: The Eckersley Mill project represents a remarkable invention of our industrial heritage. Working in partnership with DV8 has been instrumental with our decision making in bringing this vision to life.
North-West based owner of DV8 Designs, Lee Birchall said of the appointment: We have worked closely with the Heaton Group team to not only deliver a financially robust solution but also help deliver the Heaton Group vision in fostering the creation of a sustainable community where people can live, work, socialise and thrive. Partnering with forward thinking organisations like the Heaton Group in delivering reimagined and transformative spaces that truly enhances the customer and employee journey, and importantly, stand the test of time, is what we do!”
