Victoria Square

This is a ten-story tenement block built in 1889 by Henry Spalding and A.W. Cross for Manchester Corporation, with subsequent alterations. Constructed of red brick with terracotta dressings and slate roofs, it is set around a square courtyard with balcony access.

The Oldham Road facade is five stories high, with attics at the centre and ends. It features 18 main bays, arranged symmetrically with windows grouped as 3:1:1:1:1:1:2:1:1:1:1:1:3. The central two bays have a shaped gable, and larger shaped gables and pavilion roofs featuring apex lanterns and finials are positioned at each end. Smaller, pedimented gables with ball finials are above the intermediate bays. A substantial cornice sits above the ground floor, and double string courses run between the upper floors, giving a strong horizontal emphasis. The central two bays have coupled segmental-headed arches at ground floor level. Tiered terracotta mullion-and-transom windows are present in canted oriels rising from the first to the fourth floors, and three oculi are found in the gable. The ground floor now has altered shop fronts. The first, second, and third floors of the intermediate bays contain pairs of segmental-headed sash windows. The fourth floor features tripartite sash windows beneath semicircular blank arches, with two small windows contained within blank arches positioned between these windows on each floor. The three-bay ends have single windows on all floors, including within the attic gables, and tall round-headed windows are present in the centre of these gables. Splayed corners incorporate doorways at ground floor level and oriels to the upper floors, mirroring those of the central section. The long east and west return sides each have pairs of semi-circular arched staircase openings at both ends of each upper floor. Tripartite windows are featured on the ground and fourth floors, paired windows on the other floors, and pairs of oculi between these windows. A central entrance archway leads to the courtyard on the west side. Ridge chimneys are present. The rear elevation is similar in design.

The courtyard is surrounded by balconies with prominent, curving supports to the railings. This building is of historical significance being the first municipal housing constructed in Manchester.