73‑75 Princess Street,

An important street improvement has been begun in Princess‑street, immediately opposite to the Town Hall, the object being to obtain a straight line of frontage from Cooper-street to Clarence‑street, and so do away with an ugly bend in the line of building which at present exists.  The first step towards this end has already been taken by the removal of an old block of buildings opposite the Princess-street entrance to the Town Hall, and the erection of a handsome and substantial stone-fronted building, comprising shops and ware-rooms on the ground floor, spacious cellarage with entrances at front and rear, and affording facilities for loading and unloading to both basement and ground floor. The floors above are arranged as suites of offices. The architects are Messrs. Royle and Bennett, and the contractors Messrs. R. Neill and Sons.

But there is one feature about it  (as well as in some other recent edifices in Manchester) which cannot be commended either on the score of utility, fitness or beauty.  We refer to the pillars at the top, presumably intended to suggest chimneys, but obviously not used for that purpose.  They are not beautiful, and all the building would be greatly improved by their absence.  For the rest of the structure we have nothing but praise. [Manchester City News. Saturday 29 November 1879 Page 3 Column 5]

Reference           Manchester City News. Saturday 29 November 1879 Page 3 Column 5

1886 street directory: 31 Princess Street -  Brown Thomas & Son, church furnishers