Description
Architectural History: The Ghost of Market Street
This print is a tribute to a facade that no longer exists—a true piece of “lost” Manchester. The 1960s Marks & Spencer building on Market Street was a definitive example of corporate Modernism, but its story is one of destruction and rebirth.
The 1960s Original: The building featured a rigorous, dark-clad modular grid—the “Curtain Wall” style that defined 1960s retail optimism. It was designed to look sleek, efficient, and radically different from the soot-stained Victorian stones of the old city.
The original 1960s Marks & Spencer building on Market Street was designed by the firm Jones & Aldred, in collaboration with the Marks & Spencer in-house architectural department.
During that era, M&S maintained a very strict “corporate identity” across their stores. The firm of Jones & Aldred was a key partner in translating the M&S “brand” into physical architecture across the UK, specialising in the clean, modular look that became synonymous with the company’s post-war expansion.
Design Highlights of Jones & Aldred’s Vision
The Modular Grid: They utilised a standardised system of prefabricated panels. This allowed for the rapid construction of large “department store” volumes while maintaining a high-end, modern finish.
Polished Dark Cladding: The use of dark, often black or deep grey, polished stone or glass panels was a signature of their M&S designs, intended to provide a sense of luxury and permanence.
Structural Integration: The building was an early adopter of large-scale steel frame construction in the retail sector, allowing for the wide, column-free interior spaces that were essential for the modern shopping experience.
The original Marks & Spencer building on Market Street was a cornerstone of Manchester’s 20th-century commercial identity. Before the 1996 bombing led to its ultimate demolition and total reimagining, it was a quintessential example of Post-War Commercial Modernism.
The 1996 Turning Point
On June 15, 1996, a 1,500kg IRA bomb was detonated just meters away on Corporation Street. I was working for an advertising agency in Manchester at the time of the explosion and remember hearing it, wondering ” what on earth was that” – While the steel frame of the M&S building survived, the 1960s facade was shattered, and the structural integrity was severely compromised. Instead of a simple repair, the decision was made to demolish and rebuild. This led to:
The BDP Masterplan: The architectural firm BDP (Building Design Partnership) was tasked with creating a new flagship.
A New Transparency: The dark, modular 1960s grid was replaced with the massive, curved glass frontage we see today, designed to be more “inviting” and transparent than the rigid 1960s predecessor.
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