Building Name

Arts Building Manchester University, Lime Grove,

Date
1913 - 1919
Street
Lime Grove
District/Town
Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build
Listed
Grade II

NEW BUILDINGS FOR THE FACULTY OF ARTS – In response to representations from the Arts professors that the work with which they are charge was becoming seriously handicapped bt the defective accommodation of the old College block, the Council of the University decided to erect a new building for eight departments on modern lines. A site was secured on the south side of Lime Grove in a quiet position remote from the street noises which make lecturing difficult in some of the rooms of the existing building. Three architects were asked to prepare plans, and the assessor, Professor C H Reilly, of Liverpool University, reported in favour of those sent in by Mr Worthington. The rooms required by each department are in every case – with the exception of a large theatre common to all – provided on the same floor, and in all but one case in the same wing. A spacious central hall, a feature absent in the old building, gives easy access to all parts of the building and affords ample wall space for the display of University notices.

The site is quite apart from the main University buildings, and therefore has not to group in any way with them, and the type of design adopted seems the most suitable for the home of a faculty of arts and most in harmony with modern requirements. The plan is so arranged that each department is self-contained, and the large majority of the rooms face south, east or west, so that they may not only get the benefit of all the sun that is to be had but may also be quieter that if they faced the street which runs upon the north side. This has the advantage also from the point of view of design in that it is not necessary to crowd the front walls with large windows such as are necessary in lecture rooms, and has enabled the architect to obtain quiet wall spaces and a central mass marking the top-lighted hall which will give character and dignity to the building. [Manchester Guardian 7 February 1913 page 5]

Work commenced in 1911, but progressed slowly due to the onset of World War I. At the opening ceremony on 7 November 1919, the University of Manchester conferred the degree of doctor of letters upon Worthington. The neo-classical building was subsequently positively reviewed in an article in the 1920 Architectural Review, and, together with his Masonic Temple in Manchester, it was cited as a principal work when Worthington was awarded a gold medal in 1930 from RIBA.

Reference    Yorkshire Post 8 November 1919 - opening
Reference    Architectural Review Vol. 48 September 1920 pages 60-60 with plans, photographs etc