Building Name

“Woodthorpe” 3 Oxford Place Victoria Park

Date
1938 - 1940
Street
3 Oxford Place
District/Town
Victoria Park, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
Freeholds and Leaseholds (Manchester) Limited
Work
New Build
Status
Converted to Halls of Residence
Contractor
Moston Brick and Building Company, Ltd.

A development of thirteen flats with sitting room, two or three bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and larder. Each flat had a private hall and front door at ground level. Six lock up garages and air raid shelter were also provided. It replaced an earlier house “Woodthorpe” demolished about 1938. It remained rented accommodation until the mid-1950s or later, before being taken over to provide additional accommodation for St Gabriel’s Hall of Residence. Neo-Georgian, brick, arranged round three sides of a grassed court. Full height polygonal bays alternate with paired and single doorways.

At Woodthorpe, Victoria Park, Manchester, are flats of quite a different type. There are thirteen of them. and they might be described as maisonettes because those on the first floor have their front door leading direct from the ground floor where there is a hall. The rooms are smaller and not so lofty as at Lansdowne House (architect Westcott and H Boddington qv). and perhaps the chief feature is quietness. Sound-resisting is applied in the same way as at Lansdowne House. In both cases there are specially constructed air-raid shelters. Built last year, the flats at Woodthorpe range in rental from £95 to£140 a year. Lock-up garages are available. Inquiries regarding tenancies at Lansdowne House or Woodthorpe should be made to W. H. Sutton and Sons, 60, Spring Gardens, Manchester. The work of the Moston Brick and Building Company, Ltd., Manchester, as displayed in prominent buildings in many districts, is familiar to the public, and it was this company that erected Lansdowne House. which is a further proof of their expertness in construction and the soundness of the materials used. They were also the builders of Woodthorpe. Considerable care was given to the electrical installation by F. Beardmore and Company Limited, Manchester. The flats have electric cookers. linen cupboard heaters, electric towel rails, convector heaters for the hall. A special screened wireless aerial system has been installed to ensure good reception free from interference. As is usual in modern building contracts of any size. rock asphalt work has been done by the Limmer and Trinidad Lake Asphalt Company, Limited, Manchester. They have products for floors. Roofs, etc., special heat and pressure resisting properties. Fireplace. door. and window fittings by Parker, Winder, and Achurch Limited, Manchester. help to complete the harmonious equipment of the building. These fittings are eminently practical. [Manchester Guardian 6 April 1940 page 6

VICTORIA PARK - Twelve New Flats with Air Raid Shelter. Woodthorpe, Oxford Place. Quiet position but within 200 yards of two bus services to city, which is within two miles. One to three bedrooms; Each flat has its own front door on ground floor; Soundproof Floors; Garages, etc. Rents from £95 inclusive. Ready for occupation. Apply W H Sutton and Sons, 60 Spring Gardens. [Manchester Guardian 19 August 1939, page 3]

Reference    Builder 1 July 1938 Page 39
Reference    Builder 28 October 1938 Page 851 - plans approved
Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 April 1940 page 12
Reference    Manchester Guardian 19 August 1939 page 3 – classified ad
Reference    Pevsner Halliwell, Hyde: Manchester and South East Lancashire page 480