Building Name

Dalton Halls of Residence Upper Park Road, Victoria Park

Date
1880
Street
Upper Park Road
District/Town
Victoria Park, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
Society of Friends
Work
New build
Contractor
William Southern and Sons

A purpose-built hostel for male students of the Society of Friends at Owens College. Built of stock brick and red brick with terra-cotta panels and many gables. Dalton Hall was founded in Greenheys in 1876 and moved to Victoria Park in 1872. The halls are now non-denominational although still do not have a bar. A new extension, built in 1968, replaced a large Victorian house on Anson Road. The hall also includes “Eaglesfield.”

Plans have been prepared by Mr G T Redmayne, architect, of this city, for the erection in Victoria Park, Rusholme, of a building for the use of the students of the Victoria University connected with the Society of Friends. [Manchester Guardian 26 August 1880 page 5]

Plans have been prepared by Mr. G. T. Redmayne, architect, of Manchester, for the erection in Victoria Park, Rusholme, of a building for the use of the students of the Victoria University connected with the Society of Friends. [Building News 27 August 1880 p259]

The Manchester meeting of Friends has authorised the Hall Committee to expend a sum of ,12,000 in the erection of a permanent and specially‑designed hall of residence for Quaker students of Owens College. A plot of land has been secured in an open situation in Victoria Park, and plans have been prepared by Mr. G. T. Redmayne, the architect of the new School of Art. The contract has been let to Messrs. Southern and Sons. The new building is to contain a residence for the Principal, and rooms for 30 students. The culinary department, the dining‑hall, the library, classrooms, bathrooms, offices, etc, are upon a scale larger than would be needed for present requirements. [Building News 1 October 1880 p404]

THE FRIENDS’ HALL OF RESIDENCE - The erection of Dalton Hall, Victoria Park, which is to be a hall of residence for students attending Owen’s College, is on the point of completion, and in a few weeks it will, inall probability, be formally opened. It has been built by members of the Society of Friends to accommodate students connected with their body, and any others for whom there may be room and who are willing to comply with the rules laid down for the management of the place. During the last six years three houses in Lloyd Street, Greenheys, have been used as a hall of residence, Mr Theodore Neild being the principal, but the space in them was too limited to be altogether comfortable. Much greater accommodation has been provided in the new building, which includes a principal’s house; large dining room, 40 feet by 20 feet,; library, 22 feet by 16 feet; a common room; and studies for thirty young men. Each study is 15 feet long by 11 feet wide and will serve the purpose of a bedroom as well. At one end of the premises is a sick room in which students suffering from temporary indisposition will be treated. All the studies open on to an 8 foot corridor, and are provided with double doors. In order to ensure good drainage and efficient ventilation, the nominal ground floor has been constructed 7 feet above the level of the ground outside. The front is about 190 feet in length; the greatest width of the building is about 90 feet. The premises are in the Gothic style, and have been erected of common brick, with red moulded jambs and arches. To give ready facility to the students to indulge in physical exercise tennis and recreation grounds have been provided. The building is named “Dalton Hall” in memory of Dr John Dalton, who was a member of the Society of Friends. It has been erected from the designs of Mr G T Redmayne, architect. The total cost, including furnishing, is estimated at about £12,000. Towards this amount the Manchester Meeting of Friends voted £8,000, and in response to an appeal for help various gentlemen have promised subscriptions which amount to £1,340, including a contribution of £500 from the trustees of the Hardshaw estate. [Manchester Guardian 9 May 1882. Page 9]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 August 1880 page 5
Reference    Building News 27 August 1880 page 259
Reference    Building News 1 October 1880 p404
Reference    British Architect 8 October 1880 Page vii
Reference    Manchester Faces & Places Vol 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 May 1882. Page 9
Reference    Manchester City News 8 July 1882 Page 6 Official Opening
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 July 1882 page 8 – official opening