St Peter's Square Site

Immediately after the First World War the Library Committee directed its attention to the problem of finding a permanent and worthy home for what was to become Manchester Central Library. Powers for the compulsory purchase of a site were obtained under the Manchester Corporation Act of 1920. Later a site in St Peters Square was selected for the dual purpose of a new Central Library and the extension of the Town Hall. In 1928 the architect Mr E. Vincent Harris was appointed architect for the project and began work on the design.

Related Material:See cuttings books in Local Studies F 027 442 M19 and F 027 442 M21See M740/2/15/5b, M740/2/15/7, M740/2/15/13, M740/2/15/34-44, M740/2/15/50, M740/2/15/54, M740/2/15/56-57, M740/2/15/59, M740/2/15/62, M740/2/15/68, M740/2/15/71-86 for plans

See also:

Ronald Wilfred Durdey's 'E Vincent Harris, OBE, FRIBA, RA, D.Litt: architect and Royal Academic' in LS (ref: BRq 720.92Vi(005));

'Emanuel Vincent Harris and the survival of classicism in inter-war Manchester' by Julian Holder, in Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society vol. 102, 2006 (our ref 942 7 La);

'Manchester Town Hall Complex Conservation Plan' (3 vols) by John H. G. Archer, our ref: BR f 711 551 094 MAN (495).

Bannister Walton & Company, photographic print album including photographs of the construction of Central Library (see National Archives)

M740/2/1/2/4

M740/2/1/2/23

M740/2/1/2/26