Model Shops, Houses etc. Barracks Site, Regent Road, Salford
New Barracks Estate was built 1900-1904 on the site of the early 19th Century Infantry Barracks in Ordsall. The Estate was Salford Corporation’s first local authority housing scheme, and was notable for its far-sightedness in terms of housing quality and community provision. A public hall was originally planned on the site of Regent Square. This was never built, but social provision in the form of Salford Girls’ Institute (lost in wartime bombing), Salford Lads’ Club and St. Ignatius’ Church was made in an early example of co-operation between the local authority and private individuals. These buildings were constructed on land belonging to the Corporation; the Lads’ Club (1903) at the expense of brewers J G and W G Groves, and St. Ignatius (1900) under the patronage of Lord Egerton of Tatton.
The original housing scheme comprised 353 houses and 32 shops, sited along streets laid out by the Corporation in a formal layout focused around Regent Square. The architectural style selected by Henry Lord was an economical form of the then-popular Queen Anne style, using red brick and a variety of shaped gables to create an architecturally harmonious layout which placed the various classes of houses in uniform terraces. Bay windows were a feature of Class 3 houses; these were the most generously planned and highly specified dwellings, having a parlour, living room, scullery, three bedrooms and an internal bathroom.
NEW BARRACKS ESTATE - After several attempts had been made to find plots of land suitable for purchase was decided to acquire the site the Infantry Barracks in Regent road. The site, which covered area of 10.25acres, was obtained for £38,500 It was proposed to erect 32 shops of varying size on the frontage, and they would a character in keeping the requirements of the tradespeople of Salford. It was hoped that in time that Regent-road would become the business centre of the borough, and therefore it was considered that something worthy of the neighbourhood should be built. The smallest class cottages intended to be built would contain living room, with larder, and conveniences, and two bedrooms above. Rather better, but of the same plan were the next class. They would contain three bedrooms The third and best would have a sitting room, with bay window, kitchen, scullery, and larder on the ground floor, two bedrooms and bathroom the first floor, and another bedroom on the second floor This class would have a frontage upon the recreation ground which would occupy the centre of the site. There would public hall built upon arches, thus leaving a playground underneath, so that children would be sheltered in wet weather. The hall would have a room twice the size of the assembly room in the Town Hall. The principal materials used would be Accrington stone, Ruabon red brick, and in some cases grooved tiles would be used for roofing. [Manchester Courier 8 July 1899 page 18]
COUNTY BOROUGH OF SALFORD - TO ARCHITECTS - The Corporation invite COMPETITIVE DESIGNS for LAYING OUT the SITE of the INFANTRY BARRACKS, Salford and for the ERECTION thereon of PUBLIC HALL, SHOPS, and MODEL COTTAGES. Premiums of £30, £20 and £10 respectively will be paid to the competitors whose designs are considered the three best. It is intended to appoint the architect of the premiated design to carry out the work provided his plans receive the sanction of the Local Government Board. Remuneration to be a fixed percentage of the amount of the estimate submitted by the architect in competition as set out in the conditions. The premium to merge in this amount. Conditions of competition and plan of site may be obtained from the borough Engineer. Plans must be sent to me at this Town Hall between 10.00am and 4.00pm on Tuesday May 9th 1899. - By Order. SAML. BROWN Town Clerk. Town Hall Salford 30 March 1899 [Manchester Guardian Saturday 8 April 1899 Page 4]
Reference Manchester Guardian Thursday 6 April 1899 Page 9 - Salford Council Meeting
Reference Manchester Guardian Saturday 8 April 1899 Page 4 (Advertisement)
Reference British Architect 12 May 1899 Page 327 - no assessor
Reference Building News 7 July 1899 Page 9
Reference Builder 8 July 1899 Page 42
Reference British Architect 7 July 1899 Page 1 (almost identical report)
Reference Manchester Guardian 6 July 1899 p5 col 7 and Page 6 Col 2 Salford Council Meeting
Reference Manchester Courier 6 July 1899 page 3
Reference Manchester Courier 8 July 1899 page 18
Reference Manchester City News 8 July 1899 Page 8
Reference The Builder 1900: I: 91-92. Approval of costs, loan sanction
Reference Manchester City News 3 October 1903 Page 3
Reference Builder LXXVII 42 ,59 (Harper)
Reference Manchester Guardian 12 January 1900 Page 10 Local Government Board Inquiry
Reference Builder 21 January 1900 Page 91 - loan application inquiry
