Manchester's brutalist Hollaway Wall is under threat

At The Modernist Society, we do not typically view ourselves as a campaigning group, but we are deeply dismayed by the proposed plans for the former UMIST campus here in Manchester. We feel compelled to make our opinions known, and we hope you will too.

There is currently a consultation underway regarding the first phase of redevelopment for the former campus. Have your say by Sunday 9 March 2025. You can view the consultation website [here] (and via the link at the bottom of this page).

In summary, the first phase entails the demolition of the Barnes Wallis Building, Staff House, The Wright Robinson Tower, Chemical Engineering Labs, and the Moffat Building, along with the Hubert Worthington steps. Many mature trees along London Road will also be lost to facilitate the construction of two new commercial office buildings.

An imposing and striking sculptural Brutalist design that combines both special artistic and architectural interest. Historic England

Regrettably, the Grade II listed Hollaway Wall artwork, located at the edge of the site, is in the path of this development. The sculptural concrete wall at London Road was constructed in 1968 to the designs of the artist Antony Hollaway and is described by Historic England as 'an imposing and striking sculptural Brutalist design that combines both special artistic and architectural interest'.

The developer's architects now propose to 'reimagine' the artwork and incorporate it into the foyer of the new office building. However, this 'reimagining' requires large sections of the artwork to be removed by cutting away and 'folding' around 30% of the sculpture.

The consultation document does not provide much detail about this partial destruction, apart from a CGI image of 'The Manchester Room'. However, having seen more detailed plans, we assure you that the setting, context, and integrity of this Grade II listed structure will be entirely compromised, and we find this unacceptable... would you clip the wings off the Angel of the North?

Of course, we would never presume to dictate our followers' opinions and would not want to influence you in any way. Your views on the destruction of the UMIST campus and the disregard shown for the Grade II listed Hollaway Wall are entirely your own. But we feel strongly about this, and if you do too, we encourage you to visit the consultation website (or attend the public sessions if you are in Manchester) and make your feelings known.

Thank you.

Have your say at the Sister Consultation pages here