J Weinberg & Sons’ Clothing Factory. North Street, Cheetham

Take for example, the new works which have been built for Messrs J. Weinberg & Sons in North-street (part of the old highway from Manchester to Bury) from the plans of Mr Joseph Sunlight, a Manchester architect. Messrs Weinberg’s is not the only firm which is taking part in the new movement. There are Messrs Cohen & Wilks and Messrs Levy & Weisgard, and others but Messrs Weinberg's works may be described to illustrate what is going forward. It covers a site of nearly an acre and a half, and provides working facilities on one ground floor for over one thousand employees. The offices fronting North-street, are the highest part of the building and yet comprise but two floors. The facade is of red stock bricks relieved with grey Ruabon terra-cotta, a material which the inexpert would take to be Portland stone. The entrance hall is handsome, with Greek columns and terrazzo staircases, the whole reminding one of the American idea of palatial offices as a necessary introduction to a large business establishment. The various offices themselves have oak panelled walls. With regard to the factory itself, its interior walls are faced throughout with white glazed bricks, a great advantage as compared with the old-fashioned white-washed walls, and the whole of the glazed lights coming from the roof, every part of the factory has an equally good natural light. The heating is done by hot water circulating in small neat pipes overhead, and the ventilation throughout has been planned on a system which gives the utmost satisfaction. There are spacious dining and cloak-rooms (each employee has his or her own peg), and the sanitary provisions in the way of lavatories, washing facilities, and so on are admirable and conveniently distributed. At the rear of the factory there is a space suitable for recreation purposes. The risk of fire is reduced to an absolute minimum by the adoption in every respect of fire-proof construction.

These works, which are for the manufacture of waterproof clothing, cover an area of about 6,000 sq. yards on the ground floor. The building has a basement under half this extent. The interior of the premises throughout is faced with glazed brick, the ceiling is covered with fibrous plaster slabs, and lighted with patent steel bar glazing. The construction of the roof is on the Warren girder principle and fireproof throughout. The external elevation will be faced with best red pressed brick and stone‑faced Ruabon terra‑cotta. The offices and showrooms on the ground and first floors in the central part of the front of the building will be elaborately treated in marble, wood‑block floors, oak woodwork, and patent cement panelling. The lighting is by electricity in every part, and the heating by low‑pressure hot water. The works will accommodate about 1,000 workpeople. Mr. Joseph Sunlight, of St. Ann's Square, Manchester, is the architect.

Reference:   Manchester City News. Saturday 28 October 1916 Page 8.
Reference    Building News 11 August 1915 Page 148 and illustration