The Manchester Grammar School Extension Buildings

MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXTENSION BUILDINGS - The structural work of the large pile of buildings now rising prominently into view between the Victoria Station and the Cathedral is now sufficiently far advanced to admit of a more general description of this important extension of the Manchester Grammar School. The site on which it was originally proposed that the new buildings should be erected comprised that of the old Grammar School together with a plot of land lying between it and Messrs. Boddington and Leigh's mill, facing Poets' Corner in Long Millgate on the southerly side, and extending back to the river Irk on the north. This area being, however, insufficient, it was determined to extend the building across the river to Walker's Croft—the whole site, as thus enlarged, being about 1,800 square yards. The difference of level between Old Mil]gate and Walker's Croft being 20 feet, the problem put before the architects, Messrs. Mills and Murgatroyd, was no ordinary one. The work would necessarily involve building new river walls on each bank of the Irk, and covering that murky stream at a level above the highest known flood with massive iron girders and arches. The construction of the corner to the north-west would also be beset with difficulty on account of the sudden sweep of the river under Walker's Croft bringing this corner off the river will and unto. the roof of the old tunnel which conveys the river past the end of the Palatine Hotel into the Irwell. These difficulties, however, have been satisfactorily overcome by means of solid stone piers being sunk on each side of the river down to the rock, and a massive arrangement of girders formed across the stream, resulting, however, in the peculiar shape of the corner as above indicated. And not only so, for advantage has been taken of the differences of level by forming. a capacious dining-hall, with requisite kitchen conveniences, in the basement, the level of the floor of this storey being several feet above that of Walker's Croft.

On the ground floor near to the entrance to Chetham College ("College Gates") under lofty tower, which contains the staircase, and when completed will be surmounted by a fine pyramidal roof, is placed the main entrance doorway of the school. Through this doorway, now approaching completion, it is intended that all the students, whether their classrooms be in the present building or in the one in course of erection shall enter. Those boys whose classrooms are in the existing building will reach them by a lattice girder bridge extending from the new staircase tower across College Gates into the first-floor corridor of the present school. The construction of this bridge was commenced last week, and considerable progress in the work has already been made. With the exception of the offices set apart for the Receiver (Mr S. Hodson) which will be situated near the main entrance, the whole of this spacious floor is given up to the gymnasium. This, which is really a noble apartment, is about 115 feet by 105 feet, with a height of 25 feet. In the centre, however, a clear space 67 feet by 55 feet, unencumbered with columns, will be loftier still, and roofed over with a curved glass roof, while additional light and air will be provided by ranges of lofty windows in the side walls. The gymnasium will of course be fitted up with an extensive and complete apparatus for developing the physical education of the students; but, in addition to the space which this will occupy, there will be abundant accommodation for the more ordinary forms of sport and recreation. The upper floors of the building, carried on iron girders, are arranged by grouping the classrooms all round the central area before alluded to. A gallery round this area forms the approach to the rooms (which are lighted by windows in the external walls), and the area is again covered by an iron and glass roof, the height being 75 feet above the ground floor. The high master's rooms are so situated that from his door he can command the whole of the central area. The remainder of this floor is occupied by a lecture theatre, capable of accommodating 600 students. This fine room will be lighted mainly by the large stone mullioned windows already forming a prominent feature on the easterly part of the elevation to Long Millgate.

The exterior of the building is of stock brick, with stone dressings in the Tudor style. The length of the main front toward Long Millgate is 127 feet, the dimensions of the tower being about 25 feet square, while the height of the roof will be nearly 150 feet. The doorway at the main entrance has a width of 10 feet with a semi-circular moulded arch supported on shafts with carved capitals. Adjoining this is a range of windows, separated into two groups by a massive stone shaft carrying a large stone oriel window through two storeys, the right of the elevation finishing with two bay windows. so grouped together as really to form one large opening for light, spreading to a width of nearly 50 feet. The work of the whole of the elevation is so far advanced as to give promise of the building proving an effective and important composition, and bearing adequate external evidence of the purpose for which it is being erected. The work in the foundations, including the river walls and covering the river, was executed by Mr Healey, who had charge of the brickwork, and by Messrs Wolstenhulme and Rye, were entrusted with the ironwork. The general contract for the superstructure is in the hands of Messrs. Robert Neill and Sons; and Mr Ingram is acting as clerk of the works. [Manchester Guardian 27 August 1879; page 5]

Reference           The Manchester Guardian 27 August 1879 page 5