Hepper House on East Parade was purpose built in 1863 as an auction house and was used as such until recently by the its last residents, Bonham Auctions, who left sometime around 2008. Having remained empty since then, the grade-II listed building is soon to get a new lease of life – as a home for Spanish gastronomy.
The distinctive property is to be redeveloped by high-end tapas chain Iberica, and will be overseen by executive chef Nacho Manzano, who boasts three Michelin stars to his name for his Spanish restaurants Casa Marcial and La Salgar.
Iberica currently have five restaurants in London and one in Manchester, and all have a focus on authentic cuisine, serving contemporary interpretations of traditional Spanish cooking.
Along with vegetable, meat and seafood tapas options, many of the restaurants also have a delicatessen selling cured meats, seafood preserves and artisan cheeses.
Each venue can also boast decor designed by architect and interior designer Lazaro Rosa Violan. If this same treatment is combined with the period features inside the sandstone, granite and marble Hepper House, expect Iberica Leeds to look very special indeed.
Iberica, Victoria Street, LondonIberica
Iberica, 17a East Parade, Leeds, LS1 2BH
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