Manchester Reform Club

former Reform Club, Spring Gardens

The Reform Club in Spring Gardens, Manchester, England, is a former Victorian era gentlemen's club. Constructed in 1870–1871 in the Venetian Gothic style by Edward Salomons,^[1] the club is "his best city centre building"^[1] and is a Grade II* listed building as of 3 October 1974.^[2] The contract for construction was awarded to "Mr Nield, builder, Manchester for £20,000".^[3] Built as a club house for Manchester's Liberal Party elite, the building was opened by Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone on October 17 1871.^[4]

The building is constructed of sandstone ashlar with polychrome dressings and hipped slate roofs^[2] and is three-storey with elaborate corner turrets and oriel windows and balconies. The main entrance is "richly adorned with carving including winged beasts".^[1] The interior contains a "fine staircase, a (two-storey) grand dining room and an enormous billiard room, running the whole length of the building, in the roof".^[1] The "hall and staircase (have) linenfold panelling."^[2]

Declining membership in the late 20th century led the club to merge with the Engineers' Club in 1967 to form the Manchester Club, but this failed to prove financially viable and was wound up in 1988. Records of the club are stored at the John Rylands Library on Deansgate. The building is now a restaurant and bar.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Hartwell 2001, p 167-8
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-388246-manchester-club-50-manchester
3. ^ http://archiseek.com/2009/1870-manchester-reform-club-lancashire/
4. ^ http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/mancunian/expats/s/87/87886 what would mr gladstone say.html

References

• Hartwell, Clare (2001), Manchester, Pevsner Architectural Guides, London: Penguin, ISBN 0-14-071131-7 

Coordinates: 53°28′51″N 2°14′32″W / 53.4809°N 2.2422°W / 53.4809; -2.2422