Former Mackie Mayor boss Jake Atkinson and Vita Group are behind the huge new student development with apartments, a fitness studio, co-working and a food hall with five independent kitchens
Inside brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
It’s the trendy food and drink phenomenon that’s been taking Greater Manchester by storm over the last few years, and now the city is preparing to welcome a new food hall into the fold.
House of Social is the newest venture from Vita Group. Opening this summer just off First Street, this huge new development will be home to hundreds of students, with apartments, a fitness and wellbeing studio, co-working spaces, and a huge foodhall housing five independent kitchens open to the public.
The kitchen space, which will be able to operate throughout the day from breakfast to evenings, is tucked between statement arched windows, and is located below the new Vita Student First Street accommodation – which comprises 100 apartments and 576 bedrooms.
A stone’s throw from HOME theatre and within walking distance from Oxford Road and Deansgate-Castlefield stations, the new swanky food hall represents a collaboration between Vita Group and Jake Atkinson, who has previously worked as the operations manager at Mackie Mayor, The Picturedrome and Altrincham Market.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“Even though it’s ten years of First Street this year, it’s still relatively untapped around here. There’s a lot more residential and for us it was about creating a hub for all walks of life in this borough of town, ” explained Jake.
“There’s a good link to the student area here with it being close to Oxford Road but also the opportunity to activate this area with events at First Street and for me it was always about finding the best food and drink operators.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It was taking all the moving parts from other food halls, there was lots of inspiration from from different places, we’re not here to say we’re unique, but that it’s a nod to all the great places that already exist, not just in the UK but abroad.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, we’re just trying to create a really efficient and cool space for the customers and the kitchens here.”
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Set over two floors, the 12,000 sq ft of food and drink space features a central, wraparound bar which flanks the main room, along with the five kitchens spanning a number of cuisines and styles, from burgers and pizzas, to tacos and curries.
Upstairs, there’s more seating areas, pool tables, co-working booths, a private dining area, and a record selection for guests to peruse. All together, there’s space for around 400 diners.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
It is the latest in a line of food halls to emerge across Greater Manchester. Last summer, Bolton Market opened its newly-revamped Food Hall featuring eight independent kitchens stemming from Caribbean food and Japanese dishes.
At the end of last year, meanwhile, Oldham also unveiled its Egyptian Room food hall in the borough’s Grade II-listed town hall. It features stalls selling burgers, pizzas and Cambodian delights.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
In terms of the food offer available, House of Social blends together familiar, established names, as well as brand-new concepts for the city.
As Jake explains: “With Burger & Beyond that is the best burger I’ve ever tried, they’re unbelievable, then with Choi Wan creating a Chinese concept in here is so exciting, it’s a cheeky and fun concept that people who know or want to try Victor’s food will come for.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“There’s a brand new taco concept for the city with California style at the forefront rather than traditional at Ok Taqueria, and then getting Mughli in, their first time in the city, was hugely exciting. A city centre flagship.
“Then of course, Dough Religion, our in-house concept with Chris Edwards of the Waltzing Matilda, who has created a really strong offer with these 18-inch pizzas, plus bakes and hoagies as well.
Brand-new Manchester city centre food hall, House of Social(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It is a food-led venue, but there will also be events like music, DJs, and workshops upstairs, plus pop-up shops. That said we won’t be pulling all the tables and chairs out of the place and holding World Cup parties but we’ll create an environment where those things can happen, but you can enjoy them while having a conversation, have a drink and eat a great burger.
“Everything is on the QR code on the tables, so we would like to think that people would come in for their morning coffee, order a bit of lunch, and maybe dinner and a cocktail in the evening.”
Drinks wise, Jake and the team will have a rotating lineup of beers, working with local breweries including Shindigger to ensure there’s always plenty of craft beers on offer, while Hammonds of Knutsford have helped them on the spirits front. Coffee meanwhile, comes from Blossom Coffee Roasters in Trafford Park.
The five kitchens at House of Social:
Mughli
Mughli at House of Social (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Mughli has been serving authentic Punjabi cuisine on Rusholme’s landmark ‘Curry Mile’ since 1991. After more than 30 years of business, they are now opening their first spot in the city centre.
The family-run, second generation Indian soul food restaurant was first opened by local legend, the late “Uncle Peter”, and is now owned by his sons, who have put their own stamp on the business.
Mughli’s House of Social menu takes inspiration from their original menu at their flagship restaurant on Wilmslow Road, with their Indian Soul Food of grilled meats and home-style curries.
OK Taqueria
OK Taqueria(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Brought to life by the minds behind Mughli, Public, Gooey and Evelyn’s, this new concept fuses the smoky soul of Mexico City’s street food with the fast-and-loose flavour of California’s taco joints.
Inspired by taquerias from Baja to Boyle Heights, OK Taqueria is a love letter to Mexican street food and features tacos including crispy pork belly, chicken-fried maitake mushrooms, slow cooked birria beef shin with rich consomme for dipping.
For breakfast, think loaded burritos with cheesy tots, charred jalapeno sausage, smoky bacon and avocado with plenty of hot sauce.
Choi Wan by Victor Yu
Choi Wan by Victor Yu(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
This is a brand new concept by seasoned restaurateur Victor Yu, who after the success of his award-winning restaurant in Copster Green, is bringing a modern take on traditional Hong Kong Cuisine, inspired by recipes passed through his family.
Victor Yu, together with Executive Chef Bruno (ex Chef at Michelin-starred Northcote and The Samling) has created something very special, drawing from traditions, family recipes, and the flavours he grew up with.
The menu will include Chicken Bamboo, which has been part of their history for over 30 years, and reimagined classics like their delicious Prawn Toast Crumpet and a Chinese take on a full rotisserie Chicken.
Dough Religion
Dough Religion(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Dough Religion is a no-rules, big-flavour pizza joint and New York-inspired deli born from a collaboration between Chef Chris Edwards and House of Social’s Jake Atkinson. Chris, the creative force behind the cult lockdown project The Waltzing Matilda boat – a floating wood-fired pizzeria based on a canal boat throughout Greater Manchester and Cheshire now brings his next evolution of pizza to new shores. They’ll be serving up giant 18-inch pizzas, whole or by the slice, alongside a full lineup of house-made subs, bagels, and a rotating lineup of desserts and bakes. Expect burrata-topped slices, vodka sauce pizza, fried-chicken Caesar hoagies, New York-inspired bakes, and plenty of cheesecake.
Burger & Beyond
Burger & Beyond(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Their spot at the new food hall represents the for the London-based burger in Manchester.
Founded in 2015 by Tom Stock and Craig Povoas, Burger & Beyond started as a food truck at London’s vibrant street food markets, KERB and Street Feast.
The headline dish coming with the B&B team up north to House of Social is their famous Bacon Butter Burger; an award winning combo of Dry Aged Beef Patty, Double American Cheese, Crispy Pancetta Bacon, Burnt Butter Mayo, Onion. They’ll also be serving up their signature sides such as fried chicken bites and wings.
When does House of Social open?
House of Social will officially open its doors to the public on Tuesday, 19 August – just in time for the August bank holiday weekend.
The team will be celebrating with a series of takeovers from Manchester collectives, record labels and radio stations.
Weekend takeover schedule:
- Room 90 – Friday 22 August 18:00-01:00
- Sweet Vibrations – Saturday 23 August 15:00 – 01:00
- Ad Hoc Records – Monday 25 August 14:00 – 19:00
The House of Social foodhall will be open Tuesdays-Sundays from 8am, opening as late as 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.