Deansgate Arcade Deansgate Manchester

THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE NEW DEANSGATE -  The new Deansgate Arcade is now approaching completion and will be ready for opening in March next. It is placed opposite Barton Arcade. Faced inside and out with buff terra-cotta, the main front of the building rises to a height of six storeys. The material is considered suitable for town building, presenting as it does a bright and cheerful appearance and being the least affected by the deleterious atmosphere. In the design, the object of the architect has been to obtain an attractive and appropriate effect suited to the requirements of the buildings, and provide an imposing structure. Due consideration is given to window space, with the result that both the shops and offices are, without exception, well-lighted. In detail the architecture is an adaptation of Spanish work, and the general effect is bright and pleasant to the eye. The back of the arcade, five storeys high, looks upon St Mary=s Gardens, the site of the old St Mary=s Church, which in the hands of the Corporation has been planted with shrubs and plants, forming an acceptable open-air resting place in the heart of the city during the warm months of the year. Right and left of the main entrance in Deansgate are handsome shops, and additional shops line the two sides of the Arcade. Above these and across each end range two open balconies, giving access to the business offices. These are approached from the ground floor by two main staircases, and at the Deansgate end of the Arcade by the side of the staircase there is to be a passenger hoist. The offices above the ground floor number about eighty, and each room contains an ordinary fire-grate. The tenants are to be advised as far as possible to use gas, but the option is given to them to burn coal should they wish to do so.

The Arcade will provide a new public avenue between Deansgate and College Land, the name of the street abutting upon St Mary=s Gardens, which avenue will be the means of shortening the distance between the Royal Exchange and Salford Railway Station in New Bailey-street. It will have the effect too of opening up the property round about St Mary=s Gardens. A novel and useful feature of the Arcade is that in a wide corridor in the basement, lined with white-glazed brick, the goods from the shops overhead are to be packed and forwarded from the building by means of the hoist provided for that purpose at the rear. This will prevent any unsightly obstruction in the Arcade itself. Several of the shops, including the two principal ones, have already been taken by tenants. The site of the building, about a third of an acre in extent, is historic ground, as it belonged to the Dean and Canons of Manchester, and at one time the Dean had his residence there. About two years ago the land and old premises thereon were purchased by the Deansgate Arcade Company Limited, and the work of clearance and building was entered upon some months later. The sides of the Arcade rise to a goodly height above the adjoining shops, and altogether the building forms an attractive addition to the architecture of Deansgate and the city generally. The architect is Mr John Brooke, A.R.I.B.A., of this city, and Messrs S Megarity and Company, and Messrs Heman and Rogers are the principal contractors. [Manchester City News 31 December 1899]

DEANSGATE ARCADE, MANCHESTER - The new Deansgate Arcade which is placed opposite the Barton Arcade is now approaching completion. Faced inside and out with buff terra-cotta, the main front of the building rises to a height of six storeys. The back of the arcade, five storeys in height, looks upon St Mary=s Gardens, the site of the old St Mary=s church which, in the hands of the Corporation, has been planted with shrubs and plants.  Right and left of the main entrance in Deansgate are shops; and additional shops line the two sides of the arcade. Above these and across each end range two opeen balconies giving access to the business offices. These are approached from the ground floor by two main staircases and at the Deansgate end of the arcade, by the side of the staircase there is to be a passenger hoist. The offices above the ground floor number about eighty and each room contains an ordinary fire-grate. A feature of the arcade is that in a wide corridor in the basement, lined with white glazed brick; the goods from the shops overhead are to be packed and forwarded from the building by means of the hoist provided for the purpose at the rear. The architect is Mr John Brooke of Manchester and Messrs S Megarity and Company and Messrs Horman and Rogers are the principal contractors. [Builder 6 January 1900 Page 21]

The recent completion of the Deansgate arcade, which will provide a new avenue between Blackfriars street and St Mary's street, thereby reducing the distance between the Royal Exchange and Salford station. [Manchester City News  14 April 1900 Page 5 Col 3 (Notes)]

WAREHOUSES, OFFICES ETC TO BE LET - Deansgate Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester - Central Situation - First Class SHOPS and OFFICES, fireproof building, electric lighting, passenger lift and goods hoist. Apply to Mr John Brooke, architect, 18 Exchange-street or Messrs DENDY & PATTERSON, 5, Cross-street, Manchester. [Manchester City News 4 May 1901 Page 8 Col 4]

Reference    Manchester City News 31 December 1899
Reference    Builder 6 January 1900 Page 21
Reference    Manchester City News 14 April 1900 Page 5 Col 3 (Notes)
Reference    Manchester City News 4 May 1901 Page 8 Col 4