Old Exchange

The Old Exchange is a range of shops located on King Street in Manchester, dated 1897 on the frieze above the ground floor. The building has been altered and is likely iron-framed, featuring cladding of red sandstone and terracotta, topped with a slated mansard roof. It has a rectangular plan with a central through-passage and is designed in an eclectic style.

The structure consists of three storeys and attics, divided into three structural bays. The ground floor has pilastered piers, although those on the left have been altered. The frieze is inscribed with "AD / OLD EXCHANGE / 1897" and is topped with a cornice. The ground floor features 20th-century shop fronts, while the first and second floors are adorned with giant Ionic pilasters and ornamental terracotta panels between them. There is a bracketed frieze and a moulded main cornice with a low parapet. The roof includes four moulded lateral chimney stacks and four symmetrically placed segmental-pedimented dormers.

On the first floor, there are wide elliptical-arched windows, with one in the first bay and two in each of the others, featuring decorated spandrels and wooden mullion-and-transom glazing. The second floor has mullioned windows with segmental-headed lights, arranged as three in the first bay, two plus two in the second bay, and three plus three in the third bay. The building also includes Nos. 5, 6, and 7 St Ann's Passage.