Cut & Craft Manchester marks a major milestone for the brand, bringing its renowned dining experience to the city. Set within the Grade II* listed Bond Building, this was Cut & Craft’s most ambitious venue to date, transforming a former bank, built in 1862, into Manchester’s newest hotspot. Although a new client for Dawnvale, we’ve had a long-standing relationship with their trusted project management team who new we could deliver the quality required.

Studio Two Interiors were appointed to design a space that honoured the building’s heritage while introducing a bold, contemporary dining experience.
Our role was to bring that vision to life, navigating the challenges of working within a Grade II* listed building, while delivering a visually striking, operationally efficient venue that now ranks among Manchester’s most talked-about restaurants.

A GRAND SETTING FOR REFINED DINING

The sheer scale of the building, with 28-foot ceilings in the main hall and multiple former bank vaults in the lower level, brought significant engineering and logistical challenges. At times, over 20 specialist teams were on-site, working in sync through careful coordination and hands-on project management. The result is a space that celebrates the original architecture, using the vast main hall to full effect and creating beautiful rooms in the lower levels, with every finish chosen to complement the building’s historic character.

A STATEMENT BAR WITH SEAMLESS FLOW

The centre island bar was designed to be a visual centrepiece and optimise service flow, improving staff efficiency and guest experience in a high-capacity space. We engineered the bar with strategic back-of-house access, clear sight lines, and multi-point service areas to maintain speed and consistency during busy periods. Built using premium materials like Brazilian blue labradorite and bespoke gantries, the bar blends form and function in an operationally intelligent layout.

INTIMATE LUXURY BELOW GROUND

These exclusive spaces, including the Gossip Lounge, were designed to offer immersive, high-end experiences, ideal for celebrations or discreet gatherings. We brought the vision to life with bespoke joinery, elegant lighting, and luxury finishes, creating rooms with clear identity and intimate atmosphere. Despite the challenges of repurposing a former bank vaults, the result is a collection of characterful, private venues seamlessly connected to the overall design narrative.

BOUTIQUE-STYLE WASHROOMS

The standout washrooms, especially the women’s, were designed to be more than functional, becoming talking points in their own right. The design elevated the everyday with luxurious finishes, bold choices, and statement lighting that echoed the venue’s glamour and detail. We delivered the fit-out with precision, ensuring every element, from tiling to custom mirrors, matched the high-concept, high-impact brief.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the incredible job Dawnvale has done on our new £3.5 million The Cut & Craft restaurant in Manchester city centre. From start to finish, the entire 13-week project ran smoothly and without a hitch, a testament to the professionalism and precision of the Dawnvale team.

They worked fantastically with our designers, showing real flexibility and a solutions-focused mindset throughout. When a design adjustment was needed, such as resizing the wine bar, the team adapted quickly and efficiently, delivering exactly what we needed with no disruption to the schedule.

Their organisation, communication, and on-site professionalism have been second to none. They’ve continued to provide excellent aftercare too, returning to site for checks and final adjustments to ensure everything is seamless for our team and guests after our opening.

Dawnvale has been a key part of bringing our vision to life, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
We look forward to working with Dawnvale on our future projects. Liverpool is next! “

Osman Doganozu - Founder of The Cut & Craft

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