Manchester’s impressive town hall (1868-1877) was designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom. This iconic Grade I listed building is the ceremonial headquarters for Manchester City Council and for over 140 years has played host to civic guests, international delegations, weddings and special events.
The building contains offices and grand ceremonial rooms such as the Great Hall, which is decorated with magnificent murals illustrating the history of the city by Pre-Raphaelite painter Ford Madox Brown. Amongst the intricate stonework of the building, hundreds of leaded windows line the hallways, staircases, State Rooms, and the Great Hall giving the spaces glittering natural light and an enormous sense of opulence.
Recclesia began stained glass conservation work at Manchester Town Hall in June 2021, having been commissioned to undertake work to the Great Hall and Staircases for Lendlease and Manchester City Council. The Great Hall is the jewel in the crown of the town hall and is designated as the most highly significant part of the building, with tremendous windows, a spectacular organ, magical wall paintings by Ford Madox-Brown, incredible carved stonework, and a breath-taking decorative ceiling.
After completing extensive survey work to report on the condition and create an asset catalogue, removal of the enormous windows began in July 2021. The Recclesia Stained Glass studios in Chester and Manchester worked on this project for over two years, meticulously conserving every single section of glass, piece by tiny piece!