#manchesterunitybuilding

Photo 1: Exterior of the Manchester Unity Building.

The Manchester Unity Building is one of a kind in the Melbourne CBD. Construction began in 1931 until 1932 and its design is a combination of the Neo-Gothic (1905 to 1930) and Art Deco (1925 to 1937) styles.

Two key design elements of the building are line and shape. Line is used heavily both inside and outside of the building. It is used along the ceiling, skirting boards as well as in the intricate iron fretwork along the escalators. Shape is also a key feature of the art deco gothic building. There are many uses of geometric shape, particularly the structure of the building from the outside.  The corner tower’s elongated columns and flying buttresses were inspired by the Neo-Gothic skyscraper, the Chicago Tribune Building (Willis, 2018).

The building displays a range of high-quality materials; concrete, marble, aluminium, steel, stucco and tiles. The skeleton of the construction was formed with concrete-encased steel beams, while the exterior of the building features terracotta faience tiles that add sleekness to the overall facade.

The establishment consists of 125 tons of marble that has been utilised throughout, from structural to decorative use. Metal has been used around shop fronts as a framing tool and on the panelled elevator doors in an extravagant manner. Stucco is displayed in the elaborate ceiling design and along the corridors. Mosaic tiles have been incorporated on the ground floor around the entrance, and surround the shop fronts, creating a beautiful walkway that also navigates the flow of foot traffic.

Photo 2: Elaborate ceiling design.

Photo 3: Detailed metal work featuring repeated elements of line and shape.

Some of the key motifs featured  in the Manchester Unity Building are of the MU Monogram, meticulously handcrafted in mosaic tiles on the floor of the arcade, pressed into the metal doors of the elevator and repeated in gold foil on glass doors throughout the building.

The decorative plaster artistry on the ceilings of each level depict a recurring theme of the working Australian life and the virtues and motto of the MU order.

Throughout the interior and exterior of the building are decorative brass friezes in a triangular shaped pattern following the lines of the building, and the art deco style of the time.

Photo 4: Hand crafted mosaic floor tiles featuring the Manchester Unity monogram.

Photo 5: The magnificent plated elevator doors.

As the Manchester Unity Building was influenced by Art Deco and Neo-Gothic design, the colour palette used throughout the building is synonymous with the luxurious materials adopted by these movements within Australia (Heritage Council of Victoria, 2018).

The use of white and cream is widely reflected in the marble and stone tiling. Rich browns and golds are also prevalent in the frequent use of rosewood, as well as bronze and gold metal, which contrasts with the rich black metal used.

As a result of technological advancements of the time, a wide colour palette was integrated into decorative images represented in the tiling (Daly, 2016). The range of colours used consisted of blue, green, yellow and red and further enhanced the expressive quality of the space.

Photo 6: Rich browns and golds contrast with black metal detail in the Manchester Unity Building elevators.

Heavy oak furniture with carved legs and backs, substantial fabric upholstery and stained glass featured in Neo-Gothic period interiors.  However, the furniture and furnishings of the Manchester Unity Building were of the Art Deco aesthetic which utilised exotic woods such as mahogany and zebra wood.  Cabinetry was inlaid with brass, ivory or mother of pearl. Cross banding and marquetry also featured and, in keeping with the glamorous aesthetic, high gloss, lacquered and mirrored finishes were popular as was decorative etched glass.  Geometric patterns were commonly found on curtains and rugs, and fine leathers, animal skin and velour were used for upholstery. (Miller, 2011)

The Manchester Unity Building’s fully restored boardroom is a fine example of the period, featuring the original Queensland maple boardroom table cross banded with rosewood together with the original leather chairs (Manchester Unity Website, 2018) and marquetry buffet.

The Manchester Unity Building is a classic example of Neo-Gothic Art Deco design and its restoration and preservation has enriched our city’s architectural diversity.

Manchester Unity Logo on metal plated elevator door