Dalton Hall With Attached Forecourt Walls

Dalton Hall is a hall of residence built in 1881-2 by G.T.Redmayne, intended for members of the Society of Friends attending Manchester University. It is constructed of stock brick with red brick and sandstone dressings, some red terracotta, and has slate roofs with red cockscomb ridging tiles. The building comprises a long range with a rear wing at the south end. It is three storeys high with a basement and attics, and has an asymmetrical design, featuring a gabled wing to the north, a lower three-window link with three gables, and a higher nine-window range with four gables, the first two linked. The third gable breaks forward slightly and contains the main entrance. A high basement is present, and moulded terracotta sill bands mark each floor. The entrance is approached by steps leading to a wide two-centred arch, moulded in three orders with a hoodmould, and above this is a richly ornamented triptych of terracotta panels, including the date 1881. A three-light brick-mullioned window is located above the panels on each floor, the lower one under a segmental relieving arch, and the upper in a two-centred blank arch. To the right of the entrance is a three-stage transomed stairwindow; the majority of other windows are of three and four lights with brick mullions and segmental relieving arches. The first and second-floor windows in the coupled gable portion are set within pilastered giant blank arches. Attached to the entrance steps are the splayed, returned ends of the forecourt wall, which has brick piers at short intervals, linked by twisted iron bars.