Cambrian Buildings. 71 Whitworth Street Manchester

Cambrian Buildings was built in 1905-7 for R. Jones Ltd. It was constructed at the heart of the concentration of Lloyd’s Packing Warehouses Ltd and later became part of Lancaster House. The warehouses were built in response to the boom in trade and confidence following the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, when easy access and efficient loading facilities were essential. The huge buildings are steel framed and built to high-quality fireproof specifications. Terra cotta and faience fronts contrast with the rear elevations where the steel frame is exposed and glazed.

1909 Slater Directory lists Jones Packing Co at Cambrian House, 71 Whitworth Street, next to India House at the corner of Princess Street

NEW WAREHOUSE MANCHESTER - New premises have been built for the Jones Packing Warehouse Ltd in Manchester. The building contains nine floors, is 138 feet high from the street to the roof line and is fitted up with all the latest appliances, the floors and the doors being fireproof, while the “ribs” of the building are of steel, faced round with cement blocks. The hoist, which travels at a rate of 250 feet a minute, is protected by fireproof doors which close by an automatic arrangement. The architect is Mr J D Harker of Manchester, builders William Brown & Sons, Manchester, Clerk of Works Mr W Rutherford, engineers The Mabbott Engineering Company, Blackpool. [Builder 9 February 1907 Page 167]

NEW PACKING WAREHOUSE, MANCHESTER.-  The accompanying drawing of Cambrian Buildings, Whitworth-street, Manchester, marks a departure from the ordinary warehouse type. The making up is done on the upper floors, and the packing of goods for shipment by means of hydraulic presses is done on the basement floor. The lower part of the elevation, including the ground and first-floor levels, is of buff spray- glazed terra cotta on a granite plinth, and the remainder of the facade is built in red pressed brick with terra cotta dressings to match the other work. The building has been erected for the Jones Packing House, Ltd., who sublet the various suites of offices and warerooms to shippers. Mr J. D. Harker. ARIBA, of Manchester, is the architect. [Building News 1907 Page 167-168]

Reference    Builder 9 February 1907 Page 167
Reference    Building News 1907 Page 167-168