Tootal Broadhurst & Lee Warehouse. Oxford Street, Manchester

Terra cotta Five storeys with attic. Seven bays to Oxford Street. Giant order of Corinthian columns rise three storeys. On corners of main elevation to Oxford Street - octagonal towers, that on the Oxford Street/ Great Bridgewater Street junction supported by two giants, moulded in terra cotta.* Sankey used a similar device at Colwyn Chambers. The central doorway is arched with double rusticated pilasters each side. Above the doorway a cartouche with date of completion. ATootal Broadhurst & Lee@ terra cotta signage now covered. Open pediment with life sized lion depicted pessant-gardant. Earlier plans show the lion depicted rampant gardant. Both are symbolic of prudence but the latter is also emblematic of resolution.

The new warehouse for Messrs Tootal Broadhurst Lee & Company Limited, calico printers, is a striking addition to the architecture of Oxford-street. The new building, which will soon be ready for use, stands opposite the St James's Hall on land formerly occupied by the works of Messrs Sharp, Stewart and Company. It extends from Great Bridgewater-street to the Rochdale Canal, and is of yellow terra-cotta and red brick, and of imposing proportions. The flat roof with iron railings round about it forms a special feature of the building. This is intended for the purpose of an open-air lounge for the people employed in the warehouse. The building, of which Mr J G Sankey is the architect, has been set back two yards from Oxford-street. [Manchester City News 4 June 1898 Page 5 Column 1]

* F Bennett Smith, joint architect of the Palace Theatre considered it demeaning to depict men condemned always to carry the building upon their shoulders (The Relationship between Architecture & Sculpture, 1912)

Reference    Builder 11 April 1896 Page 328 – Contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 28 March 1896 Page 4 - contracts
Reference    Manchester City News 4 June 1898 Page 5 Column 1