Manchester Victoria Station, A Journey Through Time

Manchester Victoria Station, A Journey Through Time

A Royal Beginning (1844) Manchester Victoria Station opened its doors on January 1, 1844, marking the start of what would become a long and storied history. It holds the distinction of being the first station in the UK to be named “Victoria,” thanks to the special...

Oasis, a Britpop Legacy & Manchesters Most Iconic Band

Oasis, a Britpop Legacy & Manchesters Most Iconic Band

In the mid-'90s, Manchester was more than just a city; it was the beating heart of the British music scene, pulsing with the energy of a new generation of bands ready to take on the world. Among them, one band emerged like a lightning bolt, electrifying not just the...

The History of Wartime Rationing

The History of Wartime Rationing

The Second World War was a period of profound upheaval for the United Kingdom, not only on the battlefields but also on the home front. As bombs fell and men went off to fight, the people left behind faced a different kind of challenge: making do with less. Rationing,...

The Magic of Olympic Closing Ceremonies

The Magic of Olympic Closing Ceremonies

The Olympic Games are more than just a display of athletic prowess; they are a celebration of unity, culture, and the human spirit. While the Opening Ceremonies are often grand spectacles that set the tone for the Games, the Closing Ceremonies hold a special place in...

The Toast Rack Manchester

The Toast Rack (Hollings Building), Manchester – A Short History

by | Jun 6, 2023 | Explore History, Local History

The Hollings Building located on Wilmslow Road (Fallowfield, Manchester) was formerly part of Manchester Metropolitan University (formerly Manchester Poly) and before that at its completion in 1960 the Domestic Trades College.

The building closed in 2013 as MMU and Manchester University centralised and combined institutions as part of a “£350m investment programme in creating new high-quality learning environments, supported by key welfare and academic services administration in the city.”

At the time a council report said “The University are in discussion with the City Council and are in discussion with English Heritage to agree a  development strategy for this asset… Given the buildings listing, its condition and the challenges that it presents in respect of creating an economically viable development proposition for this building, consideration is currently being given to engaging the market to establish if there are other viable opportunities that could be considered.”

Given the building still stands unaltered at this stage 10 years later, clearly nothing was agreed and it would appear nothing is on the horizon.

The Toast Rack, as it has lovingly become known by many in Manchester, was designed by architect Leonard Cecil Howitt.

End on Photo of the Toast Rack - Neil101
End on Photo of the Toast Rack – Neil101

The building is a concrete framework in a hyperbolic paraboloid shape with infill from the bottom up. There are 7 floors in total. Although the building’s unorthodox form is playful, its tapering shape also helps to divide space into varying sizes for larger and smaller classes. A semi-circular restaurant was attached to the building and is playfully as the “Poached Egg”. Eggs on Toast anyone?

It is believed that the building is now owned by developers, having been bought for £4Million.

Cover Photo by Dunk

Manchester Victoria Station, A Journey Through Time

Manchester Victoria Station, A Journey Through Time

A Royal Beginning (1844) Manchester Victoria Station opened its doors on January 1, 1844, marking the start of what would become a long and storied history. It holds the distinction of being the first station in the UK to be named “Victoria,” thanks to the special...

Oasis, a Britpop Legacy & Manchesters Most Iconic Band

Oasis, a Britpop Legacy & Manchesters Most Iconic Band

In the mid-'90s, Manchester was more than just a city; it was the beating heart of the British music scene, pulsing with the energy of a new generation of bands ready to take on the world. Among them, one band emerged like a lightning bolt, electrifying not just the...

The History of Wartime Rationing

The History of Wartime Rationing

The Second World War was a period of profound upheaval for the United Kingdom, not only on the battlefields but also on the home front. As bombs fell and men went off to fight, the people left behind faced a different kind of challenge: making do with less. Rationing,...

The Magic of Olympic Closing Ceremonies

The Magic of Olympic Closing Ceremonies

The Olympic Games are more than just a display of athletic prowess; they are a celebration of unity, culture, and the human spirit. While the Opening Ceremonies are often grand spectacles that set the tone for the Games, the Closing Ceremonies hold a special place in...