Ormond Building, Manchester Metropolitan University (Formerly municipal offices)

The Ormond Building, now part of Manchester Metropolitan University and formerly municipal offices, was constructed in 1880 by Mangnall and Littlewood, with subsequent alterations. It is a red brick building with sandstone dressings and slate roofs, built on a rectangular plan to a corner site. The building has two storeys over a basement. The facade to Lower Ormond Street has a 3:5:1 window arrangement, while the Cavendish Street facade displays a 2:5:1 window arrangement. A distinctive octagonal corner turret is a prominent feature.

A band runs above the basement windows, with sill bands to both floors, a string course above the ground floor, pilasters at the junctions, and brick corbel tables. The facades are finished with moulded stone cornices and brick parapets, with some sections balustraded. The corner block’s Lower Ormond Street facade has a symmetrical three-bay design, punctuated by a segmental-headed doorway with an elaborate stone architrave and divided panelled doors accessed by four steps. The ground floor features round-headed two-light windows with shafts, and the first floor has round-headed sashes with corniced architraves. A balustraded parapet tops the facade, featuring a pedimented panel in the centre and urn finials.

The corner turret, to the left, is constructed of rusticated stone and panelled ashlar at ground floor, incorporating two narrow sashes and a central cartouche. Above this is a gadrooned and dentilled cornice, followed by a three-sided oriel with narrow sashed windows in corniced architraves. The turret then rises with an octagonal top having a small round-headed window and a pediment to each side, culminating in a domed roof with a lantern. The two-bay left return is similarly styled, notable for a tall, segmental-pedimented pair of chimneys rising from the parapet. The outer ranges of both facades are slightly lower and simpler, with the end bays featuring tripartite windows to the first floor and pedimented attics. Numerous paired chimneys are coupled to form arches, each with a cornice.