Dock Offices and Former Gateway to Manchester Docks

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 19 Apr 2019

The Manchester Ship opened in 1894. A complex of 9 docks was built at the eastern end of the canal on both the Salford and Manchester sides. These docks formed a key part of the Port of Manchester from 1894, until its closure in 1982. There is now little of the docks remaining following the areas regeneration as “Salford Quays” (and more latterly) MediaCityUK. One feature that has been retained is the former dock office and the entrance gates on Trafford Road. Both of these are designated as Grade II listed building (Dock Office: Historic England List Entry Number: 1386182 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1386182 ; Gateway: Historic England List Entry Number: 1386183 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1386183 ). Both date from 1925 and were designed by Harry Fairhurst and Son. Pevsner describes the office building as "Stripped classical style, concrete, E-plan. Four storeys with a central projecting pylon-like bay with a full height arched window." 'Dock Office' is inscribed above the keystone of the buildings central arch. Sometime between 2014 and 2017, the art deco building was refurbished and converted into luxury apartments and a glazed two-storey extension was added at roof level (https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/iconic-dock-office-building-salford-7885331 Manchester Evening News 6 October 2014). The words "Manchester Docks" once ran across the top of the gateway. Two sculptural motifs reminiscent of ships' keels project out from the stonework on either side. The original gates have been replaced with a late twentieth century screen. http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/outside/SALFORD/dockoffice.html Manchester History Net

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