Description
Gateway House, Manchesters’ Modernist lazy S building.
Commonly the first building to greet visitors arriving at Piccadilly Station, Gateway House is a masterclass in sinuous, rhythmic modernism. Completed in 1969 and designed by the prolific Richard Seifert & Partners, it is a rare example of a building that commands affection from both architectural critics and the public alike.
While Seifert was often known for his uncompromising Brutalist structures (like London’s Centre Point), Gateway House is a softer, more playful departure. Its nickname—the “Lazy S”—comes from the sweeping, serpentine curve of its facade, which effortlessly follows the sloping contour of the station approach.
Architectural Pedigree
• The Doodle Legend: Architectural folklore suggests that Seifert designed the building’s undulating shape as a simple doodle on a napkin—a rare moment of organic inspiration in an era of rigid grids.
• The Serpentine Facade: The print captures the building’s relentless horizontal emphasis. The alternating bands of glass and anodized aluminium curtain-walling create a sense of motion, mirroring the flow of commuters passing by its retail parade.
• Modernist Survival: Unlike many of its 1960s contemporaries, Gateway House was saved from the wrecking ball. In 2017, it underwent a sympathetic £35m refurbishment by Hodder + Partners, stripping it back to its concrete frame to ensure its survival for another generation.
• Design Philosophy: It represents the “International Style” at its most rhythmic—using a repeating “modular” language to create a form that feels remarkably sculptural rather than industrial.
It is considered to be one of Siefert’s most loveable buildings, commanding respect from Clare Hartwell, who described it as “a very impressive long, sweeping, undulating façade, the horizontals stressed throughout. One of the best office blocks in Manchester, its glittering serpentine shape well suited to the sloping site. Information taken from Wikipedia
Building Facts
• Architect: Richard Seifert & Partners
• Completed: 1969
• Refurbished: 2017 (Now housing the Staycity Apart-hotel)
• Defining Feature: The “undulating” 7-storey office block that sits atop a recessed retail podium, creating a protected canopy for pedestrians.
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