Inside the Design of Cut & Craft Manchester

Transforming a Historic Banking Hall into a Bold New Hospitality Venue

Award-winning interior design studio Studio Two has once again raised the bar in restaurant interior design, turning a 19th-century banking hall in Manchester into a dynamic, storytelling-rich hospitality space. Their client? The team behind the design of Cut & Craft, following a successful collaboration on the brand’s Leeds location in 2022.

This project shows what happens when brand identity, storytelling, and architectural heritage come together. It provides important lessons for interior designers working on impactful hospitality projects.

From Banking Heritage to Contemporary Dining Experience

Located in a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1862, the site is steeped in history and architectural detail. Its ground floor now houses the main restaurant, an open theatre kitchen, and a show-stopping central blue bar a signature Cut & Craft feature, reimagined with refined materials and custom lighting.

The subterranean vaults have been transformed into luxurious private dining and entertainment spaces, offering a contrasting, intimate experience. Key architectural elements like intricate ceiling cornicing nearly 27 feet high and towering arched windows are preserved and emphasized, adding drama and depth to the guest experience.

Narrative-Driven Design: The Flight of Fortuna

What makes this project stand out isn’t just the setting, but the narrative concept that drives the entire design. Studio Two took inspiration from the building’s financial past, putting a fresh, playful spin on the idea of wealth and value.

“We wanted to elevate the theme of banking into something fun and feminine,” Studio Two explained. “That’s where the idea of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune, came in.”

The interior layout follows “The Flight of Fortuna”, where the goddess begins her journey in the basement (Fortuna’s realm), hides her treasures in the vaults (now private dining rooms), and ascends to the ground floor to scatter her fortune across the main banking hall.

This approach goes beyond aesthetics it structures the space, shapes the mood of each zone, and ensures every guest touchpoint contributes to the overall story.

Spotlight: A Washroom That Steals the Show

A standout feature for designers is the ladies’ washroom, designed as Fortuna’s lair rich, warm, and immersive. At its centre: a bespoke round washbasin set around a central column, crafted from Versital cultured marble in the translucent Autumn Onyx finish.

Backlit Onyx

To enhance its impact, the washbasin is backlit with light panels from Unibox, giving it a glowing, gemstone-like effect that feels both luxurious and unexpected.

Versital has a range of marble and onyx finishes that can be backlit . Versital is also deal for high-traffic hospitality environments, being waterproof, stain-resistant, and low maintenance, making it a smart and stylish material choice for designers working on commercial projects.

“The washrooms became a focal point of the design,” said the team. “They celebrate femininity, individuality, and fortune brought to life with a custom wallpaper showcasing diverse female forms and ethnicities.”

Design for Dining: Function Meets Flair

Beyond beauty, Cut & Craft Manchester is built for all-day dining and seamless hospitality operations. The space accommodates relaxed lunches, lively bar evenings, and premium private events. On the menu: sustainable seafood and signature dishes including grilled monkfish, king scallops, fish and chips, and their famed 10oz flat iron steak.

Each seating area has its own energy from open, sun-filled sections under the vaulted ceilings, to moody, enclosed nooks downstairs. This zoning supports both ambience and efficiency, key considerations in hospitality interior design.

Studio Two on the Project

Reflecting on the transformation, lead designer Zoe shared:

“Delivering another successful project for the Cut & Craft brand means a lot to us especially in a building laced with so much history. It’s an honour to be part of writing its next chapter.”

“The client is thrilled with the result and excited to see how Manchester embraces the venue. We think the design concept will resonate in the city.”

Why Versital? A Material Built for Hospitality

Interior designers working in hospitality know that beauty isn’t enough materials must also be resilient, hygienic, and low maintenance. Versital’s vanity tops are:

• 100% waterproof
• Stain-resistant and easy to clean
• Ideal for high-traffic environments like restaurants, hotels, and washrooms
• Customisable to suit any project, with dozens of finishes including onyx and marble effects
• Translucent range of onyx and marble finishes that can be backlit.

Design Takeaways for Interior Designers

The Cut & Craft Manchester project offers multiple lessons in hospitality design and material specification:

• Let material choices tell part of the story. In this case, Versital’s Autumn Onyx doesn’t just perform it enhances the concept of Fortuna’s ethereal world. Being able to backlight the onyx it makes it a game changer for the design.
• Think beyond the main spaces. The washroom, often overlooked, became one of the most Instagrammed elements of the venue.
• Use light creatively. Backlighting transformed the basin into a glowing sculpture, not just a fixture.
• Choose materials that blend style and substance. Versital delivers stone-like beauty with zero porosity, perfect for high-use commercial settings.

Final Word: Design That Lasts Visually and Functionally

Cut & Craft Manchester is a showcase of how storytelling, historic architecture, and material innovation come together to create a truly memorable hospitality space. And at the heart of it? A washroom basin that proves Versital’s place in modern luxury interiors.

Interested in more projects like this? Take a look at our full collection of case studies and product spotlights