Building record 2608/13 - Arighi Bianchi Showroom

<1> Calladine A & Fricker J, 1993, East Cheshire Textile Mills, p.145 (Book). SCH1093.

<2> Pevsner N & Hubbard E, 1971, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, p.272 1971 (Book). SCH3078.

<3> Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Revised List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Borough of Macclesfield 1994/ 45 (Unpublished Report). SCH4570.

<4> Historic England, 2011, The National Heritage List for England, 1291854 (Web Site). SCH6528.

Showroom premises of Messrs Arighi Bianchi: Grade II*

Showroom formerly forming part of silk mill. 1883 with C20 alterations, but possibly earlier. 4 storeys, the front wall entirely composed of cast-iron and glass, the return walls blind and of brick. Central splayed recessed entrance porch with mosaic floor, cast-iron arcading at 1st and 2nd storey. INTERIOR has central stairwell around which are the galleried upper floors.

<5> Peter de Figueiredo (Independent Consultant), 2015, Arighi Bianchi, Macclesfield: Heritage Statement, R4614 (Client Report). SCH9259.

Heritage statement produced in 2015 for the building housing Arighi Bianchi’s home furnishing business which has been a Macclesfield institution for more than 160 years. It was established by Antonio Arighi, an Italian immigrant in 1854, who was joined in the business by his kinsman Antonio Bianchi 14 years later, and has grown to become one of the most respected furniture retailers in the country.

The Grade II* Listed building is very distinctive, with a fine cast iron and glass frontage of four storeys dating from 1882-83. This was erected as part of an adaptation of a pre-existing silk mill which occupied the site, which was redeveloped to serve as factory and showroom for the expanding furniture business. Since that time the building has been extensively remodelled, including a major programme of works over the last twenty years to modernize the store and improve its facilities.