Smithfield Market Hall

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 19/12/2012

SJ8498 698-1/17/414 08/10/73

MANCHESTER SWAN STREET (South West side) Nos.39, 43, 45 Smithfield Market Hall

GV II

Former wholesale market hall. Dated 1857 on frieze at front, and "altered 1867" on north side. Coursed sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings, slate and glass roof, internal iron frame. Rectangular plan. Classical style. Single storey 5-bay symmetrical facade to Swan Street, the centre and ends breaking forwards slightly and the centre pedimented; with moulded plinth, punch-dressed quoins, lettered frieze, dentilled cornice and parapet with panels and upstands. The centre has a round-headed archway with ornamental cast-iron fanlight grill, rock-faced voussoirs and a bulls-head keyblock, framed by a tetrastyle pilaster portico with Corinthianesque capitals incorporating rams' heads, and a mutuled pediment with acroterion; the outer bays have large Venetian-form openings with round-headed archways which have similar voussoirs and monogrammed keystones; and the frieze of these three portions has inscriptions: "SMITHFIELD / MARKET HALL" (in the pediment of the centre), and "ERECTED BY THE" "CORPORATION OF THE CITY" "ANNO DOMINI 1857" from left to right respectively. The intermediate bays have altered shuttered openings under horizontal panels with grills pierced by circular openings. The north side, 1:3:1 bays, has large round-headed arches with imposts, and a metal and glass canopy attached at impost level. Interior not inspected.

Listing NGR: SJ8451298776