Manchester
can trace its origins way back to Roman times, and the city has many
fine buildings from all periods of history and architecture. In
many ways, Manchester's buildings give visible evidence to its history,
as well as to its regional identity, its social, economic and cultural
growth over the years.
A short
walk through the city reveals the evident rapid growth and development
that took place during the Victorian era of the nineteenth century.
This was when Manchester grew up and came into its own.
Manchester Cathedral,
Minshull Street Police Station, Manchester Town Hall and the Urbis
Museum.
The
fabulous palatial mill and warehouse buildings, offices, libraries
and other civic buildings show immense civic pride. They show self-confidence.
This was the city that demanded to be recognised - it was the first
truly industrialised city - it was where the Industrial Revolution
began.
The
City of Manchester enjoyed both wealth and political power by the
end of the nineteenth century - the growth of expensive and highly
ornate banking halls in King Street demonstrates this.
But
there have also been 20th century masterpieces too. The Central Reference
Library in St Peter's Street and the neighbouring Town Hall Extensions
demonstrate the determination of the city fathers to improve the civic
amenities of the city. Later, award winning buildings in the banking
zone, and recently, the erection of fine new bridges across rivers,
canals and roadways.
Comment
should also be made of the City Council's imaginative thinking on
the refurbishment of old, (and often derelict) buildings. It is heart-warming
to see old beloved buildings rising Pheonix-like again into current
use, often in new and imaginative reincarnations - the Corn Exchange
became the Triangle, Watts Warehouse becomes a hotel, Joshua Hoyle's
fine warehouse converted into the Malmaison Hotel in Piccadilly.
All
these evidence a city which is in a state of constant renewal and
reinvention - a city that is alive, organic and growing.
