A new landmark exhibition has opened in the first-floor gallery of Manchester Central Library, celebrating the contribution that the City Architects made to Manchester over the 101 years of the Department’s existence.
The first City Architect, Henry Price, was appointed in 1902. Between then and 2003, only six others held the prestigious post. Price oversaw the design and construction of many of the city’s wash houses and baths, including the Grade II* listed Victoria Baths of 1906 on Hathersage Road.
Over 350 images of plans, adverts, brochures, press clippings and official and amateur photography are on display, capturing the breadth of the Department’s influence, as well as their geographic reach. The exhibition focuses on the city and its suburbs, not just the centre.
The exhibition has been curated by Dr Martin Dodge (University of Manchester) and Professor Richard Brook (Lancaster University).
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “This exhibition celebrates the work of City Architects who made their mark on the city skyscape and its suburbs from 1903. It is a fascinating look back at how instrumental they were in shaping the city and showcases their vision in making Manchester the city that we live in today.”
Professor Richard Brook said: “It is easy to forget the wonderful, weird and sometimes straightforward contributions that local authority architects made to the city and the lives they shaped. To get this research out in public and in partnership with Archives+ hopefully casts new light on the city and the collections.”
Dr Martin Dodge added: “Our exhibition includes a range of buildings now sadly demolished such as the elegant Edwardian greenhouse in Alexandra Park to the 1960s Sharston swimming baths. Evocative old photographs and detailed architectural plans help bring these lost buildings partially back to life.”
The exhibition runs until Sat 28 Feb 2026.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Wed 17 Dec 2025
