Manchester Royal Infirmary: South Wing

THE MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY. LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF THE SOUTH WING – The corner stone laid on this occasion was that forming the south-east corner of the ground floor of the south wing of the edifice. It is triangular in form, and of large size; weighing at least five tons and a half. It is not more than about a month since the board of trustees came to a final determination as to the particular stone to be used in the creation of the new part of the building. Their selection fell on a Yorkshire stone possessing various desirable qualities, which is obtained from the Warwick quarries near Huddersfield. It is good and of uniform colour; of a desirable degree of hardness, taking a smooth face, and not likely to be so much affected by the atmosphere and the weather, as other kinds of stone too often employed in public edifices. The same kind of stone is now being employed in the new erections for the extension of the Manchester Exchange; and we understand that hitherto, there has been no reason to complain of any want of punctuality in supplying the quantities required for these two edifices. In the short month that has intervened since the decision of the weekly board, the builders, Messrs Taylor and Williams, who are sole contractors for the erection of the east wing, have lost no time, and have already advanced the building from its foundations to the ground floor of the whole wing, and in that part of it between the portico fronting Portland Street and Parker Street, have even got to the height of the first floor. …

The architecture of the new south wing is of the Ionic order, in strict keeping with the principal façade of the existing building fronting Piccadilly. It is to consist of four storeys, including basement; we understand that it is to supply the requisite accommodation for all the officers resident within the walls of the institution, and all the domestic arrangements requisite for so extensive an establishment. It is about 190 feet in length, by about 50 feet in width and nearly 50 feet high. The basement storey will comprise various kitchens and offices. On the ground floor, commencing at the point next to the end wall of the present board room is to be an apartment 30 feet by 18 feet, for the reception of the valuable medical library of the institution. Next to it is to be an apartment of which the corner stone forms a portion of the corner wall of the same dimensions (30 feet by 18 feet), which is to be the museum of the institution. This room extends to the hall and portico of the south wing; on the other side of which, facing Portland Street, are the physicians’ rooms, and four bedrooms for officers of the institution. As in the present building, a long wide lobby divides the front from the back of the building. In the back portion of the south wing will be an area and ventilating shaft, a dining room and matron’s room, and four bedrooms for officers of the Infirmary. The rooms over all these, on the first and second floors of the south wing, will be used as wards for medical patients; the first floor for males, the second or uppermost for females. The south wing, we understand, is expected to be completed and open for the reception of patients, early in March next. [Manchester Guardian 10 July 1847 page 10]

The Corner Stone of the South Wing of the Manchester Royal Infirmary was laid on the 8th day of July 1847 by Thomas Markland Esq, late treasurer of the institution, Building Committee – Thomas Markland Esq; J C Harter Esq, treasurer of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; Thomas Townend Esq, treasurer of the Manchester Lunatic Hospital; Joseph Adshead Esq; John Burton Esq; William Neild, alderman; Salis Schwabe Esq; Samuel Walker Esq. – Richard Lane, architect – Thomas Taylor and James Williams, builders.

The same architect (Richard Lane) has added a new wing to the Royal Infirmary. It has a tetrastyle Ionic portico of stone (the wall of the building behind is of fire-brick) and cost about £10,000. [Builder 9 December 1848 page 589]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 10 July 1847 page 10 - corner stone extensive report
Reference    Builder 9 December 1848 page 589