Eden – the £36 million, 115,000 sq ft 12-storey sustainable office building in New Bailey, Salford – developed by ECF (formerly The English Cities Fund), a public-private partnership between three of the UK’s leading regeneration and investment organisations, Homes England, Legal & General and Muse – has selected local coffee company, Spice & Grind, to operate the ground floor café which will serve both its occupiers and the public.
An ideal place for occupiers to meet colleagues, peers, or collaborators in a more relaxed environment – or to simply have a break away from desks – the café area forms part of Eden’s stunning open-plan reception, which has been designed to match the feel created by the living wall responsible for its striking external appearance.
Planting features throughout the ground floor of Eden and the café’s furniture was carefully chosen on the basis of sustainable credentials. FSC timber is also used throughout with the café area featuring a stunning countertop made from 85% recycled glass. The elements combine – comfortable seating and neutral colour palette – to create a place that brings a sense of calm and balance.
Opening to serve both Eden occupiers and the public, the café will act as a connecting point between those working in the building and the wider New Bailey community.
The founder and owner of Spice & Grind, Samantha Seddon, will be overseeing a menu of expertly made coffee along with an array of wholesome light bites including grazing boards (both breakfast and lunch), a variety of filled bagels, pastries, and sweet treats.
Phil Marsden, Managing Director North West for Muse, comments: “The café at Eden is a key social amenity that helps enable the building to become more than ‘just an office’. By opening its own dedicated door to the public and inviting them into the café, the broader local community can connect with both Eden and its occupiers.
“We knew Spice & Grind was the perfect partner for this facility at Eden – Samantha shares our passion for really getting to know and connecting with people and places in ways which support both wellness and sustainability.”
Samantha Seddon, Spice & Grind, comments: “I am so excited! My business started out in a horsebox which, when I bought it to renovate, still had hay in it! To be moving from that, in New Bailey where Eden is situated, into a building I have watched grow before my eyes onto Salford’s skyline, is more than I could ever have dreamt of.
“Central to my brand, to Spice & Grind, is relationships; getting to know the customers and building a community centred around premium coffee and a premium service. That is what those working in and around Eden can expect from me and I can’t wait to get started!”
Tom Stannard, CEO, Salford City Council, adds: “The contribution Eden continues to make to the regeneration of Salford is admirable, with its people first approach helping the community and economy to thrive. This café is supporting a local entrepreneur, creating jobs, encouraging footfall and providing a place for people to meet, connect and support each other. We are proud of what Eden is delivering and thrilled for Samantha – she, like Eden, is a trailblazer.”
With the highest NABERS UK Design Reviewed Target Rating for a new-build development in the UK to date and the largest living wall in Europe, Eden is one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings, designed using the UK Green Building Council’s 2030 – 2035 standards and with the capability to run on 100% renewable electricity.
Current occupiers of Eden include law firm TLT and accountants BDO.
Retained letting agents on the building are JLL, Cushman and Wakefield and OBI.
