Interior
Waterhouse's plan for the town hall bridged the gap between office and ceremonial requirements and maximised space on its triangular site. His design was for a six-storey building which filled the asymmetrical triangular site. Set around its perimeter is a cloister of corridors linking offices and everyday workings. The grandiose, ceremonial features of the town hall are centrally located. By the main entrance on Albert Square are two grand staircases leading to the landing outside the Great Hall. The stairs have low risers allowing access for women in Victorian dress. The walls of the staircases have tall, arched windows admitting daylight. Three spiral staircases accessing the first floor from entrances on Princess Street, Lloyd Street and Cooper Street are constructed in English, Scottish and Irish granite.
In the entrance hall, which has a mosaic glass roof, and ground-floor Sculpture Hall are statues and busts of people who made significant contributions to Manchester, the Anti Corn Law campaigners, Richard Cobden and John Bright, and scientists John Dalton and James Joule among many others.
Read more about this topic: Manchester Town Hall
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