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An Art Deco Classic and a building I always look out for when traveling into Manchester.

So I thought I'd create an illustration reflecting its original structure and in doing so found out a little bit more about the place. Fortunately its now a grade 2 listed building so lets hope it gets a much needed refurb.

Thanks to these Enthusiasts its still standing

A great resource: Taken from The Essoldo Website; " Architect Henry Elder designed the building in the late 1930's. Elder’s architecture was at the height of art deco fashion; the main entrance on Chester Road was designed in the shape of a cash register flanked by two phallic symbols and the side entrance on Edge Lane was surmounted by a third one, these represented Elder’s view that the modern film industry was dominated by money and sex."

HENRY ELDER (1909-1996)

Henry Elder was born in Salford, Lancashire, England, in 1909. He received his education in the School of Architecture at the University of Manchester, the Manchester College of Technology and the Royal Technical College in Salford. He began a teaching career in 1933 at Manchester as well as a private practice where he specialized in theatre design. Professor Elder served with distinction in the British forces from 1940-46 designing ordinance factories and doing weapons research. For his accomplishments during the Second World War, he received from His Majesty King George VI membership in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.