Lots of suggestions on Twitter for people’s #favouritemosssidebuilding , so I decided to blog about it.
One of the most popular was the Westwood Cottages on Raby Street:
(photo via Flickr)
Constructed in 1876, these were originally built as almshouses and were apparently constructed by John Robinson of Atlas Works (a C19th Manchester engineering company) in memory of his sister.
Another favourite was Moss Side Fire Station:
The building is n’t that remarkable in itself but its clearly thought of fondly by Twitter followers who work there or attend the boxing club based there.
Hydes Anvil Brewery was a favourite:
(photo courtesy of http://neverstopbrewing.wordpress.com )
Built by the Greatorex Brothers in 1861 and initially run as the Queen’s Brewery, the brewery was occupied by Hydes from 1899 to 2012, when production moved to Salford. The Grade II listed building remains subject to redevelopment. More pictures can be found (by Mancky) here.
Two less obvious contenders were MC Fresh and the Phil Martin Centre:
(photos via Google Streetview)
Both are Moss SIde institutions in their own right. MC Fresh, long established Caribbean bakery and foodstore, and the Phil Martin Centre, gym established in name of the late Moss Side local visionary, Phil Martin.
A couple of restaurants/ take aways were also nominated, including Kool Runnings, which is in Longsight, Dougies, Alvinos and Chicken Run.
Another Victorian building of interest named was Chorlton Lodge, soon to be renovated as part of a regeneration programme, at the Claremont Road entrance to Alexandra Park:
(photo via Flickr)
Designed by Victorian architect, antiquary and amateur actor Alfred Darbyshire , it was originally intended to be west, rather than east, of the entrance and was completed when Alexandra Park was opened in 1870. Some more detailed photos of the building can be found here.
Also receiving a nomination was The Claremont Pub on Claremont Road.
(photo via Flickr)
Though its clearly seen better days and could do with a bit of care and attention, its still quite an imposing building.
A more modern favourite was the Powerhouse library and youth and community centre on Raby Street:
(photo via Flickr)
Designed by MBLA architects, who also designed Infusion Homes, the Millenium Powerhouse it was opened in 1999.
Not mentioned by Tweeters but worth a mention include:
The Royal Brewery:
(photos via Flickr)
Rising above Moss Side like a smouldering bellicose industrial dragon, when the evening sun shines with yellow green light, I could swear I sometimes have seen not the brewery but The City of Oz.
Deep in the Alexandra Park estate lies this neo Georgian incongruity:
(photo via Flickr)
What is it and who inhabits it – does anyone know?
Another great building, which seems to be in the wrong place, like quite a few Manchester landmarks (Stretford Essoldo cinema or the Plymouth Grove pub anyone?), is the Great Western Pub, a little bit left of the Victorian area that existed prior to the building of the Alexandra Park Estate.
(photos via Flickr)
The only Grade II* listed building in Moss Side is Christchurch Church of England Church on Monton Street.
(photos via Flickr)
Built in 1896 and designed by by William Cecil Hardisty in the Arts and Crafts style, it probably needs to be viewed from the inside to be fully appreciated.
Some more modern contenders might include the apartment block at Maine Place:
(photos via Flickr)
Which reminds me a bit of this famous French building (The chapel of Notre Dame du Haut) designed by Modernist architect Le Corbusier
And more controversially, De Stijl equally loved and hated new houses at the Infusion Homes development:
(photo via Flickr)
Of Course, plenty has been left out and I would be interested to hear any more suggestions or ideas about their #favouritemosssidebuilding .
