Well Made: 6 Manton Street's creative warehousemates

Manton Street in Hindmarsh is one of those connecting roads that ferries people out of the city through to the western suburbs. It’s a destination for those visiting the Hindmarsh Stadium, the Joiners Arms Hotel and Holden Street Theatres.

Recently a new destination has been added to this strip and one which is well worth stopping for. Pony and Cole, Koush and Union St Printmakers are the new occupants of the large warehouse that once was Haggle Co.

6 Manton’s warehouse gallery with ottomans by koush

The transformation of this space is due to a visionary collaboration between an interior and furniture designer, two printmakers, two chefs, and a lot of hard work.

Julie Pieda established koush to create interiors for commercial, hospitality and residential clients with an emphasis on custom furniture and originality. Having spent many years based in the CBD and with an expanding business, Pieda was looking for a larger showroom and studio space. Meeting once a week for lunch with her friend, printmaker Simone Tippett from Union St Printmakers, the two found a common need for more space and the ambition to form a creative arts hub via their creatives businesses.

Simone Tippet runs a children’s printmaking class (photo: Belinda Monck)

Adding to the mix was Pieda’s partner, chef Nicolle Hahn, who had been searching for a space to start a café. The pair eventually found the 6 Manton Street warehouse, which was large enough to encompass their vision and to include Simone Tippett and fellow printmaker Damien Warman plus a gallery space.

This energetic group wasted no time in converting the front part of the warehouse into Pony and Cole café, and the back area into 6 Manton studios and gallery. All of the furniture has been designed by koush with every tabletop featuring unique motifs hand screen printed by Pieda and Tippett.

Pony and Cole cafe’s screen printed tables from koush and Union St Printmakers (photo: Craig Arnold)

“We wanted to ensure it was part of the community — with the feel that it may have always been here, and that the whole neighbourhood is welcome,” Pieda says. “It’s been amazing to see how everyone has embraced it. Local businesses have meetings here, mum’s groups come in, office workers pop in for coffee. It’s a focal point now.”

With regular print classes already started, and plans to develop a curated exhibition program, the venture is very focused on supporting artists and the local community. The rear spaces focus on local creativity and design, while the café showcases great South Australian food, served in a friendly environment.

6 Manton is a part of the Well Made community and featured on the platform. Well Made is an initiative of Guildhouse.

Explore and connect with the best South Australian visual artists, craftspeople, designers and creative spaces on wellmade.com.au

The Adelaide Review is a media partner of Well Made.

Header image: Printmakers Damien Warman and Simone Tippett, interior designer Julie Pieda and chef Nicolle Hahn (photo: Craig Arnold)