Grosvenor Britain & Ireland has announced that Mercato Metropolitano – the sustainable community food market with an Italian soul - is to expand in to North Mayfair, London, with the opening of its second site in the newly restored, Grade I listed St Mark’s.
Mercato Metropolitano, which opened its first London market in a former paper factory in Elephant & Castle in 2016, will be a playground for food lovers and artisan food producers to meet, eat, buy, learn and share, offering cuisines from Britain and around the world.
The market promotes a healthy and sustainable approach to food by focussing on artisans and local producers and by raising awareness of sustainability through its onsite urban farm, cookery lessons, cultural programs of films, exhibitions and events.
Visitors to Mercato Mayfair can expect diverse retail and dining experiences across four floors which will encompass various international cuisines counters, a restaurant, a deli, cheese and wine stores, a coffee and gelato bar, patisserie, cocktail bar, a brewery and a flower shop.
A rooftop terrace and outdoor bar will also provide a rare haven only moments away from Oxford Street - Europe’s busiest shopping street, and Bond Street tube.
The launch of Mercato Mayfair will see St Mark’s reopen to the public after decades of private usage. Grosvenor recently completed a two-year £5m restoration of the ‘At Risk’ deconsecrated church, to repair and revive the building’s heritage features, and transform the site into a retail and dining destination with an inclusive space dedicated to educational and social activities.
A sense of community will be at the core of Mercato Mayfair, and the vaulted basement will host educational programs with a range of workshops, events and cookery classes for everybody to gather, learn and share.
Craig McWilliam, Chief Executive Office, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, said, “Our investment in St. Mark’s illustrates our wider vision for Mayfair, making it more open, enticing and accessible for more people in the West End.
'North Mayfair is evolving, becoming more open and our partnership with Mercato Metropolitano is a vote of confidence in that change. We are delighted that, following our restoration of one of London’s most significant heritage buildings, St Mark’s can be enjoyed by the public once again.”
Andrea Rasca, Founder, Mercato Metropolitano, said, “A beautifully restored former church in Mayfair…what more could we ask for? When we started negotiations with Grosvenor, we immediately came to the realisation that our vision and outlook for sustainable communities are very much aligned.
'Mercato Metropolitano is developing a movement through its sustainable, community-driven business model which aims to substitute the food value chain with a food network. It celebrates artisan food as an important catalyst for social cohesion and conviviality.
'Our first UK site in Elephant & Castle is proof that the social community has embraced our concept of good, natural and sustainable food as the basis of wellbeing and that eating together is an essential component of a vibrant and solid society. We are very excited to bring the Mercato Metropolitano experience to the Mayfair community through a synergy with a progressive real estate partner.”
Paul Souber, Head of Retail Agency at Colliers International, added, “The importance of selecting the right tenant for this incredible and iconic building cannot be underestimated. Mercato Metropolitano is a partner that will enhance the historic nature of this property, breathing new energy into North Mayfair with its amazing retailing and dining offering that the whole community can enjoy.”
The launch of Mercato Mayfair is subject to a successful approval of the planning / license application.
Grosvenor has a 20 year vision to transform its London estate to help tackle the pressures facing the capital. With London's rapid growth, this strategy will see Mayfair and Belgravia be more active, more open and more integrated, working harder for the city. In the next 10 years, Grosvenor will invest £1bn in future proofing its estate to help it meet the challenges of population growth and to deliver the vision.
The investment is one of Grosvenor’s responses to the significant challenges London is facing including population growth, the launch of the Elizabeth Line, and strain on infrastructure and amenities. The company wants to transform its London estate and help tackle the pressures facing the capital by increasing capacity and creating better streets, greener spaces and more enterprising places.