Stock Exchange. Pall Mall/ Norfolk Street Manchester

MANCHESTER - The arrangements for the building of a new stock exchange for Manchester are now far advanced. A site has been selected in Norfolk-street — a narrow but much used thoroughfare running from Pall Mall to Brown Street, and it is intended to erect a building which will cost £30,000. Six firms of architects have been invited to send in competitive plans. {Building News 26 February 1904 page 305]

MANCHESTER - Seven schemes were submitted in a limited competition at Manchester for a new stock exchange, to be erected at a cost of £30.000. The assessor was Mr John Burnet, of Glasgow. Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass of Bolton, are the architects of the chosen design. Messrs Willoughby and Langham are said to have run the successful plan very hard. Among the other competitors are Messrs. Worthington and Son, J W. Beaumont and Son, and Waddington Son and Dunkerley. The plans have been on view this week in the present exchange building. [Building News 20 May 1904 page 725]

MANCHESTER —The present buildings of the Manchester Stock Exchange proving inadequate for the growing needs of the business of the important body of members it was decided to build new premises. A central site was secured in Norfolk-street, with frontages to Pall Mall and adjoining thoroughfares. Designs were asked for from a limited number of leading architects in Manchester and within a radius of 10 miles. The following firms were selected to compete: —Messrs. Waddington, Son, and Dunkerley, Messrs. Willoughby and Langham, Messrs. Thos. Worthington and Son, Mr. T. Sington, and Messrs. J. W. Beaumont and Son, of Manchester, and Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass, of Bolton and London. The designs were sent in anonymously, and submitted to Mr J. ,1. Burnet, ARSA., architect, of Glasgow, as professional assessor. After the examination of all the drawings, and an exhaustive examination in detail of five of these, he stated in his report that he had no hesitation in placing first the design submitted by Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass, of Bolton, and they have been appointed architects to the new building, which will cost over £30,000. The main entrance to the Stock Exchange is on the street level at the higher end of Norfolk-street, with secondary entrance from Pall Mall. Through a members' hall access is given to the house, which has a floor area of 3,820sq.ft. The interior of the house is arcaded round under the main cornice level, arches springing from marble columns, and surmounted by central dome, 41ft. high to the crown. There are bold ribs and cross arches springing from the angles of the square into the circular upper part, which is coffered and part glazed, and the walls are marble-lined. The clearing-room and the clerks' room, with the secretary's office and all the complex requirements of a busy stock exchange, are provided. In addition, space is afforded for a bank .and offices. The building is to be Renaissance in style. On the main front the central part is emphasised, and the end blocks are surmounted by curved pediments. A series of bays give relief to the Norfolk-street front, which is enriched, and with the other main frontages is intended to be built of Portland stone. [Building News 27 May 1904 page 780]

THE MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE. - Stock Exchange business is carried on in greatly differing manners in the various stock exchanges of the world, and the arrangements of each are made to suit. In preparing the plans for the Manchester Stock Exchange the run of the business was carefully studied, and its requirements were the first consideration. The main entrance to the house is from the street level. Reception cabinets for consultations, with waiting space, are arranged in the vestibule and out of the line of traffic. The hall is intended only for members and clerks on the exchange, outsiders being effectually kept clear of the house. Cloakrooms and lavatories for the members are approached from this hall, and the reading and smoke rooms are outside the house, but overlook it. The telegraph receiving and distributing centres, and the forty telephone boxes are at the clerks' end of the house, and near the secondary entrance from Pall Mall. While this entrance gives access to all parts, it is mainly intended for clerks of the house and messengers who come in large numbers at certain times of the day. The house has a clear floor space of 78 feet by 49 feet, and 41 feet high to centre of dome, lighted from the tops and sides: and the black boards grouped together on the wall with direct lighting. It is arcaded round under the main cornice level ‑ arches springing from marble columns and surmounted by central dome, with bold ribs and cross arches springing from the angles of the square into the circular upper part, which is coffered and part glazed. The walls are marble lined, and a feature made of the open fireplaces. The secretary's suite of offices is on the first floor, with direct access from the members' hall and the public staircase; adjoining is the board‑room, with ante‑room and landing attached. On the lower ground floor is the clearing‑room, central in position, and with direct access from the clerks' entrance. The clerks’ smoke room, cloak room and lavatory are adjoining and near the staircase leading to the members’ hall; the messengers’ room with kitchen, is near this entrance. Telegraph operators are arranged in one of the upper stories with pneumatic tube attachment from the house. With the plan as arranged, giving the necessary and convenient premises for the Stock Exchange, a large space is enabled to be formed into offices, to let off on the most valuable frontages. These will be an important source of income, as well as a convenience for many members of the Exchange. The new buildings had all to be kept within the heights of the old ones, and this restriction determined the treatment, as both ends of the main front had to be kept down. These considerations resulted in special features, which are surmounted by curved pediments, the central part being emphasised and relieved by a series of bays, with panelled pilaster treatment between and broadly-treated enrichment under the main cornice. Everywhere there is abundance of light, large window spaces being particularly necessary in Manchester. Portland stone is used in the main frontages, and fireproof construction of floors and roofs throughout. Heating and ventilation are arranged in a combined system, filtered fresh air, warmed or cooled as required, being distributed through the buildings under pressure, and open fireplaces are provided in all parts. The estimated cost is about £30,000. Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass, FRIBA, of Bolton and London, are the architects, their designs having been selected in limited competition, and the site is now being cleared for the new buildings. We give four plans, an exterior view, and sketch of the Exchange itself. [Building News 19 August 1904 p253]

THE NEW STOCK EXCHANGE IN PALL MALL -  The new Manchester Stock Exchange fronting Norfolk-street and Pall Mall, now approaching completion, is a handsome addition to the architecture of the city. Since the existing premises close by in Cross-street were first used nearly forty years ago the business has grown with the general local expansion and some four years ago a limted company was formed to provide more convenient quarters. The site chosen was that in Pall Mall. In the design of the architects, Messrs Bradshaw Gass of Bolton and London, the aim generally has been simplicity and dignity, the proportions rather than the elaboration of ornament being relied upon for effect. The lower part of the building is treated with rock-faced light grey granite, giving a substantial and solid base to the structure, whilst the upper storeys are faced all round with Portland stone, a material which is proof against the blackening effect of the Manchester atmosphere. The Post-office in Brown-street affords a striking example of the excellent quality of the stone, the clean and light aspect of the building after its wear and tear for some years forming an agreeable contrast to its neighbours round about. This feature will improve with age.  On the main front of the Exchange in Norfolk-street are arranged bay windows in the first floor with pillars and pilasters and curved ornamentation, and the steeply pitched roof, covered with greenish brown tiles, is broken by dormer windows giving a picturesque appearance to the whole. The "House" as the Exchange is called, placed in the rear of the main entrance is a noble apartment well-lighted by a large dome. Close by are waiting, interview and other rooms, so that the members may always be within call. A secondary entrance has been provided in Pall Mall for the use of clerks, and an approach to the clearing rooms and special accommodation for assistants. There is also a suite of rooms on the first floor. Marble has been freely used, and, by way of finish, mahogany, teak and oak are to be employed with plaster, enriched in part, for the upper walls. The structure throughout is to be fireproof. Besides the Exchange, offices are to be added for other tenants, and of these are already included a branch of the Union Bank of Manchester, the Bleachers Association and Messrs Lawson and Ormrod. Messrs William Brown & Sons, of Salford, are the general contractors for the work, the whole being under the superintendence of the architects.  Incidentally it might be explained that Mr William Bell is chairman of the Manchester Stock Exchange, Mr Albert Longston the deputy chairman, and Mr John Cain the secretary. [Manchester City News Saturday, 1 September 1906]

THE MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDINGS. THESE buildings occupy a central site in the business part of the city. and are surrounded by streets on every side. They are four stories in height, and include. besides the Stock Exchange, a. bank and various suites of offices. consideration for neighbouring “ancient, lights" has necessarily influenced the design to some extent, both in planning and in elevation. The exterior walls are faced with granite in the level of the first floor. and with Port- land stone above. The main entrance to the Stock Exchange is at the upper end of Norfolk-street. and a second entrance for clerks (on the right of the plan) is provided from Pall Mall. The “house” is situated on the ground floor at the rear of the building, and has a clear floor space of 78 feet by 49 feet. If is a domed hall, well lighted from the top and sides, and is 41 feet high to the centre. The walls of the “house” and staircases. etc., are lined with marble. Reading and smoke rooms are provided for members, with reception cabinets for consultations. On the lower ground floor beneath the hall are the clearing-house. the clerks‘ rooms, and telegraph operators‘ rooms, as well as accommodation for messengers. The secretary's suite of offices is on the first floor. with the boardroom and ante-room. ' The building is fireproof throughout, and is specially planned to meet any emergency in case of fire, with double staircases, emergency corridors, etc. The heating and ventilation of the building are dealt with in a combined system, filtered fresh air, warmed or cooled as required, being distributed throughout under pressure. and open fire- places are provided in all parts. The buildings have been designed and carried out by Messrs Bradshaw and Gass. with whom is associated Mr. A. J. Hope, of Bolton and London. The builders were Messrs. William Brown & Sons, of Salford. [Builder 21 September 1907 page 316]

Reference    Manchester City News Saturday 27 February 1904 Page 5
Reference    Builder 28 May 1904 Page 575. Review of designs
Reference    British Architect 27 May 1904 Page 382
Reference    Builder 9 July 1904 page 43: plans page 44
Reference    Building News 19 August 1904 p253 and illustration
Reference    British Architect 18 November 1904 Page viii - contracts open
Reference    Manchester City News Saturday, 1 September  1906
Reference    British Architect 21 December 1906. Page 486 - Opened last Monday
Reference    Builder Vol 91 1906 Page 756
Reference    The Builder 21 September 1907 page 316 with plan and illustrations