Weather wasnÂ't too great, but here we areÂ…..
The Free Trade Hall and Â"RoyaleÂ" ( formerly Theatre Royal). Two once intelligent venues transformed into a hotel and a disco. Free Trade Hall occupies site of Â"Peterloo MassacreÂ", and was where the Sex Pistols played in 1976. In Victorian and Edwardian days Quay Street, Peter Street and Oxford road were Manchesters Â"West EndÂ", with many theatres and picture houses, only a few remain.
This is the Midland Hotel, built as the railway hotel for Central Station. I have a Â"Buildings of ManchesterÂ" publication from 1965 in which the author condemns the building and calls for its demolition!
This is the aforementioned Central Station in its current guise- as the GMEX centre. Stood empty from 1969 to 1986 while its future was pondered. The Beetham Tower looms large in the distance..
The Great Northern Tower as it stands, with ICC in foreground.
The former YMCA building, called St Georges House, has a swimming pool on top floor.
Central Library and Theatre, a popular meeting point, im not so sure I like this building, unique yes, but theres something about itÂ…
The City Art Gallery. Was built as the Â"Manchester Royal InstitutionÂ" when this part of town was largely gentlemens clubs. Held lectures and had reading rooms etc.
Princess Street, with The Athenaeum on the left, now part of the City Art Gallery. Originally an exclusive Gentlemens Club.
Lloyd Street, where the Town Hall meets the Town Hall Extension
Continental Xmas market in Albert Square, with Town Hall behind. Making Albert Square a real Â"squareÂ" was a great improvement, in the late 80s traffic still went around all sides of the square, ie the Town Hall fronted onto the street.
L incoln Square, off Brazenose Street. Tall building is Centurion House, white building on left is Â"The Rising SunÂ", to my mind an ok pub. Brick structure in centre with plants on it used to be a Princess Di memorial fountain, but now appears to be a flower bed.
Part of the Spinningfields area, CJC looms behind. Building on right edge is Manchesters contribution to post modernism, Lincoln house.
New Bank of Scotland offices, Spinningfields
King Street towards City Tower, this is where the fancier shops are
Former Abel Heywoods bank, now Royal Bank of Scotland, St Annes Square/ St Annes Street
German Xmas market, St Annes Square. Square developed in late 1700s, previously a field where fairs were held. Building on right used to be a good bookshop, Sherratt and Hughes.
Lloyds TSB, Cross Street
Market St/ St Marys Gate. Royal Exchange to left, M&s/ Selfridges to right, with No. 1 Deansgate behind.
The Corn Exchange, now the bland Triangle Shopping Centre. Used to be a goldmine of interesting stuff, second hand books, clothing, records all your student hippy stuff, now designer shops.
Urbis, with Victoria Station peeping out from behind.
The interior of Â"The PrintworksÂ", a leisure complex inside former Daily Mirror building. As befits its owners arrogance, this building used to be called Â"Maxwell HouseÂ" before he died.
Urbis with CIS behind, solar panels continuing apace. Still looks great for such an old lady!
New frontage of Arndale, with the wheel.
The Wellington Inn and Sinclairs. Why Sinclairs is painted black and white is a mystery, its from the 1700s and isnÂ't timber framed. The Wellington is the genuine article, has also been a fishing tackle shop and an optitians. Both buildings moved twice this century.
St Annes square, Hate the new FCUK frontage.
The Edge and River Irwell. Its surprising how many people donÂ't realise Manchester is on a river, even natives.
The Irwell again.
St Marys Parsonage. Building on right contains Manchesters first apartment to sell for £1 million, a few years back.
German Xmas market, St Annes Square
Faulkner St, Chinatown. Light is beginning to fade now
Princess Street, all former cotton warehouses, now clubs, eateries and apartments.
Oxford Road Station, time to head home
And as a contrastÂ…. Some pictures from 1986 showing some now demolished housing projects in the Hulme area of the city
John Nash Crescent
John Nash crescent fromBirley High School
Hulme from Maths Tower
Towards town from rear balcony of 329 John Nash Crescent, 1989
From bedroom window, 54 Harvington Walk
Epping Walk across Birley fields
Robert Adam and William kent Crescents
Hawksmoor close, William Kent and Robert Adam, demolition begins
William Kent Crescent
Scarth Walk
This whole area has been levelled and rebuilt on a more human scale>
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