11 Portland Street – A brand new space for Etc Venues
Etc Venues opened it’s first space in Manchester this year. They have chosen a central spot, right in the Piccadilly district and have chosen some fantastic BCFA members to fit out the vibrant venue.
With 15 rooms in various sizes including a entire event wing and smaller rooms and suits ideal for meetings and training. There is also a theatre kitchen and restaurant where in-house chefs can serve and prepare delicious fresh food.
Etc Venues used many BCFA Members in the fit out of this venue, furniture for the restaurant and public areas was sourced from Protocol and the conference tables and chairs are from Burgess Furniture. For the carpet installation Milliken was specified. 
We sat down with Etc Venue’s in-house interior designer Franck Rosello to hear more about this project…
Can you explain your brief for this project?
The brief was to design a new venue for Manchester, using our key features, layout and differentiators. I had also to produce a vibrant contemporary venue that could be fit for daytime and evening use.
How do you think you have delivered on this brief?
I think we have delivered a balance of space that has enthused and impressed our clients and to me that is what I am after. The look and feel is important and so far the response has been very positive but it needs to also be durable, practical and serviceable and stand the test of trends for at least a few years. We aim to create an environment that is memorable but at the same time user friendly. We feel we have a good unique product which more importantly will be a positive addition for the Manchester event and venue scene.
What is your favourite feature of the project?
The views over Manchester are phenomenal and that is a key feature of the venue, one of which was the attraction of this space. From the 8th floor the city looks impressive. Our bar and sharing tables are a good spot to gaze at the views for sure!
Were there any issues that needed to be overcome throughout this project?
We were fortunate to have a great local expert team on site. They were responsive and attentive to our challenges and needs and that really showed on the delivery of the project. This added to our expertise of opening venues for many years was the perfect combination.
What is exciting you about design in the north at the moment?
I had to spend a lot of time in Manchester and was consistently impressed with the quality of small and larger businesses. I have a soft spot for the trendy cafes and bars of the Northern quarter. They make the most of some fantastic architecture and often have been created with small budgets in mind with vintage or eclectic decors. I also discovered the Motel One were the etc venues team stayed: a hidden gem of good quality design and comfort in some great locations. There is a lot of building work going on in Manchester and felt a great positive vibe as a result and hope it remains that way for some time!
What do you love about good design and why?
Actually good design should be one that is effortless and leads to a sense of comfort or quality in my mind. Its about an experience that will feel “just right”. It is also about creating a sense of stimulation and liking. Design with balance, a sense of order and quality is in my opinion always a good start. Additional layers can be created whether with lighting, or textures or bespoke joinery or features. All of which will have their importance.
You can find out more about Etc Venues by visiting www.etcvenues.co.uk