Former Lloyds Bank

The former Lloyds Bank, located at 53 King Street, Manchester, and incorporating numbers 33 and 35 Cross Street, was built in 1913 and designed by Charles Heathcote, with sculptural work by Earp, Hobbs and Miller. The building is constructed from Portland stone on a grey granite plinth and has a large L-shaped plan, situated on an end-of-block site with chamfered corners. It is executed in a very elaborate Baroque style.

The structure rises four storeys (plus two additional floors) over a basement and double attic, with seven bays. The second and sixth bays project forward slightly. The lower two storeys feature massive banded rustication, with a horizontal division marked by a cornice and a parapet balustraded in each bay. Giant colonnades extend upwards to the upper floors, which have set-back windows. A frieze displays the words "LLOYDS BANK LIMITED". A massive modillioned cornice is punctuated by segmental pediments over the second and sixth bays. The attic is characterised by chimneys, lunettes, and other decorative elements.

The lower, rusticated section has giant round-headed arches with run-out voussoirs and stepped keyblocks. Most arches contain continuous bronze-framed fenestration, including round-headed mezzanine windows. The arches of the projecting second and sixth bays have segmental-headed doorways at ground floor level and lunettes above. The upper floors have cross-windows with segmental pediments to the second floor, and two-light mullioned windows to the third floor. The second and sixth bays are distinguished by banded piers, segmental pediments breaking the cornice, open-pedimented architraves to the second-floor windows, and Venetian windows to the third floor. Curved stone balconies are situated on each corner, at the first floor level, featuring balustrades, open segmental pedimented aedicules, and statuary.

The Cross Street facade is eight bays and matches the style of King Street, with the first and sixth bays projecting forward and containing openings comparable to those on King Street.

The interior features a banking hall finished in white marble and a plaster barrel vault to the clerks' hall. There is also decorative mahogany carving by Earp, Hobbs and Miller.