Architectural Photography:
Art Deco:
Express Building, Manchester

Daily Express Building, Manchester - Architect Owen Williams - Photographer Alan Howarth*

The Daily Express Building now known as Expressnetworks Building was built during the thirties - the daily express had been printed on the site since 1927, development of the new building took place in stages so that publishing could continue uninterrupted.

This Daily Express Building is one of three almost identical Express buildings in the UK - one on Fleet Street London, one on Albion Street Glasgow and this one on Great Ancoats Street, Manchester. All were constructed at the same time and have reinforced concrete frames and a clad in glass and black vitrolite with metal framed windows. It is the only listed building from the 1930's in Manchester's city centre.

The Daily Express left Manchester in the late 1980's and the building was empty for a short period. In the 1990's the building was renovated and converted into Offices Space while the top two floors are extra large and out of the ordinary luxury aparments (estate agent speak). Great Ancoats Street borders Manchester's 'Northern Quarter' which is currently undergoing some much needed regeneration.

Architect Sir Owen Williams was more an engineer than architect, designing 'functional structures' with decorative facades. Since 1912 he had been prominent in the development of concrete framed structures.

Sir Owen received his knighthood for his services as Chief Consulting Civil Engineer of the British Empire Exhibition 1923-25. This exhibition was a leader in the promotion of may Art Deco design themes.

Owen Williams produced a series of reinforced concrete building between 1920 and the start of WW2 in 1939.

After 1945 Owen Williams worked on the development of the UK's motorway network.

It's a tempting idea to re-locate to Manchester and move into one of these Express Building apartements, It's affordable city centre living and the building oozes style and charisma.

But would I cease to notice what a wondeful structure it was? What a frightening thought!

I want to photograph the the finest examples of Art Deco Architechture in the UK, and some of the less fine too - please email me your suggestions - especially private houses - here's some I've already photographed

Midland Hotel, Morecambe - 65-67 Bold Street, Liverpool