| Memorial Hall | |
|---|---|
 Memorial Hall, Albert Square | |
  Shown in Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Type | Meeting room |
| Architectural style | Venetian Gothic Revival |
| Location | Manchester, England, 1 and 3 Southmill Street Albert Square Manchester M2 5DB |
| Construction started | 1864 |
| Completed | 1866 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Worthington |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Memorial Hall |
| Designated | 14 February 1972 |
| Reference no. | 1254637 |
TheMemorial Hall inAlbert Square,Manchester, England, was constructed in 1863–1866 byThomas Worthington. It was built to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 1662Act of Uniformity. One of the best examples ofVenetian Gothic revival in the city, the hall is aGrade II* listed building.
The hall was built to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 1662Act of Uniformity, when thesecession of some 2,000 Anglican clergy led to the birth ofNonconformism.[1] Surplus funds from theAlbert Memorial were used to pay for the building.[2] The architect wasThomas Worthington, who had a large and successful practice in Manchester.[1]
The hall provided a meeting place in the late 19th century for a host of Victorian societies, such as thePhotographic,Statistical,Horticultural,Elocutionists andPositivists Societies. Other groups which used the building included the Home Missionary Board,Sir Charles Hallé's choir and the Manchester Unitarian Sunday School Union. The ground floor and basement were let to provide an income for the maintenance of the hall.[3]
After a period of disuse and dereliction in the early 21st century, the hall was renovatedc. 2012 and now houses a bar, restaurant and hotel.[4]
The Memorial Hall is one of the best examples in Manchester of theVenetian Gothic revival style, inspired by such buildings as theCa' d'Oro, with fine stone tracery on all windows and a palatial exterior. Worthington designed the building after his second tour ofItaly in 1858.[1] The detailing is fine and "the subtlety of thepolychromy (was) achieved by careful choice of materials".[3] The hall is aGrade II* listed building as of 14 February 1972.[5]
53°28′44″N2°14′46″W / 53.4788°N 2.2461°W /53.4788; -2.2461
