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...
And Now for Something Completely Different – Railway Reflections No.9
Douglas Earle Marshall, Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon Superintendent of the London Brighton & South Coast Railway was on a roll. The company was pleased with the success of his I3 class 4-4-2 tank engines, so much so that Douglas was given free reign to design...
Railway Reflection No8. – The Last Loco
In this case the last loco was not some last of its class high-performance main line express engine that once grabbed the headlines but a lowly tank locomotive that attracted little attention. On week ending 16 February 1952, British Railways officially withdrew...
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 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 Last Night of the Proms
For over a century, the Last Night of the Proms has been the crowning jewel of the BBC Proms, an annual musical festival that has become synonymous with British culture and identity. With its roots steeped in history, the Last Night has evolved from a simple concert...
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...
Trailblazing Women in U.S. Political History: From Geraldine Ferraro to Kamala Harris
The journey of women in U.S. political history is marked by perseverance, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. From the pioneering efforts of Geraldine Ferraro to the historic ascension of Kamala Harris, women have continuously shattered glass ceilings and...
The Amazing Barefoot Marathon Victory of the 1960 Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome witnessed one of the most iconic moments in the history of athletics. Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, triumphed in the marathon, becoming the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. His victory not only...
Joan Benoit’s Historic Marathon Win at the 1984 LA Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California, marked a significant milestone in the history of women's athletics. For the first time ever, the Games included a women's marathon, a testament to the growing recognition of women's endurance sports. This...
The Toast Rack (Hollings Building), Manchester – A Short 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.
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
Andy is the Editor of iNostalgia and is a regular contributor the exploring history & nostalgia category, with a love for community nostalgia.
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...
And Now for Something Completely Different – Railway Reflections No.9
Douglas Earle Marshall, Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon Superintendent of the London Brighton & South Coast Railway was on a roll. The company was pleased with the success of his I3 class 4-4-2 tank engines, so much so that Douglas was given free reign to design...
Railway Reflection No8. – The Last Loco
In this case the last loco was not some last of its class high-performance main line express engine that once grabbed the headlines but a lowly tank locomotive that attracted little attention. On week ending 16 February 1952, British Railways officially withdrew...
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 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 Last Night of the Proms
For over a century, the Last Night of the Proms has been the crowning jewel of the BBC Proms, an annual musical festival that has become synonymous with British culture and identity. With its roots steeped in history, the Last Night has evolved from a simple concert...
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...
Trailblazing Women in U.S. Political History: From Geraldine Ferraro to Kamala Harris
The journey of women in U.S. political history is marked by perseverance, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. From the pioneering efforts of Geraldine Ferraro to the historic ascension of Kamala Harris, women have continuously shattered glass ceilings and...
The Amazing Barefoot Marathon Victory of the 1960 Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome witnessed one of the most iconic moments in the history of athletics. Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, triumphed in the marathon, becoming the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. His victory not only...
Joan Benoit’s Historic Marathon Win at the 1984 LA Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California, marked a significant milestone in the history of women's athletics. For the first time ever, the Games included a women's marathon, a testament to the growing recognition of women's endurance sports. This...