Former Free Library

The former Free Library, located on Cheetham Hill Road in Manchester, is a public library building that is now derelict due to fire damage. It was built in 1876, as indicated on the frieze. The structure is made of yellow brick with gritstone dressings and is currently roofless. It features a rectangular plan on a corner site and is designed in the Italianate style.

The building has two storeys and a basement, with a symmetrical facade that consists of three unequal bays. It is adorned with pilasters and a frieze that reads "CHEETHAM BRANCH MANCHESTER FREE LIBRARY ERECTED AD 1876." A prominent cornice and a parapet with a balustraded centre are also present, along with segmental-pedimented panelled upstands in the outer bays.

The ground floor features a square-headed doorway in the centre, which is accessed by a flight of steps protected by iron railings. The first floor has an arcaded range of five round-headed windows in the centre, along with a square-headed window in each outer bay, all of which have pedimented architraves. Currently, all windows are unglazed. The six-bay left return wall has coupled round-headed windows, except for the end bays, which have pedimented architraves. The rear of the building has an arcaded window similar to the front and a campanile chimney at the southeast corner. The interior has been gutted by fire, revealing fluted iron columns. The former Free Library forms a group with the former New Synagogue located to its right.