Friends Provident and Century Insurance Offices. St Peter's Square, Manchester

This new office building of the Friends’ Provident and Century Insurance Offices, in St Peter’s-square, Manchester, is a handsome contribution to the transformation of this important area of the City, facing as it does, the Midland Hotel and being in close proximity to the new Town Hall extension and the new Library. In the construction of the building a high standard of design and finish has been effected in due keeping with its surroundings, and its prominent and valuable position is likely to be an attraction to high-class firms who require offices of the most modern type in which to transact their business.

The new block has a frontage of over 100 feet to St Peter’s-square, and a frontage of about 55 feet to Mosley-street. The building has been designed by Mr A W Roques, FRIBA, who has designed it with the main idea that his scheme will harmonise with the civic buildings in the immediate vicinity. The elevations are faced with Portland stone, having a plain base with rusticated stone above and finished with a mansard roof with Lombardic tiles. The window sashes are made of bronze and give a pleasant finish to the building. There are three entrances, one at each end of the main corners and one at the centre of the frontage to St Peter’s-square. These entrances lead to very well lighted and spacious offices. There are passenger lifts serving the basement, ground floor and five floors above. Steel framed construction, with fire resisting flooring have been used and the whole of the internal finishings have been designed and fitted in keeping with the external appearance of the building. The lighting, heating and general equipment are on the most modern principles. The main entrance hall from St Peter’s-square has been suitably panelled in marble, and at once strikes the visitor by its attractiveness. The building is being partially occupied by the owners, the Friends’ Provident and Century Insurance Offices, as their headquarters for Manchester and district. The general contractors were Messrs J Gerrard & Sons Ltd of Swinton, Manchester.

Reference    Builder 9 April 1937. Page 775-776. Including ground and first floor plans, photographs of main entrance door and view from St Peter’s Square