Great Northern Warehouse, Petersfield
What is Great Northern Warehouse?
The Great Northern Warehouse is a Grade II* listed Victorian red-brick building located on Deansgate in Manchester city centre. Completed in 1899, it was originally constructed for the Great Northern Railway Company as a combined railway goods warehouse, canal basin, and storage facility (historicengland.org.uk).
Designed by William Leeming and G.T. Andrews, the warehouse was built on the site of the former Manchester and Salford Junction Canal basin. It was designed to handle massive volumes of freight arriving by train and barge, featuring hydraulic lifts capable of raising entire railway wagons to upper floors. With its imposing brickwork, arched windows, and monumental proportions, the building became a symbol of Manchester’s late 19th-century industrial might.
Following the decline of rail freight, the building fell into disuse in the mid-20th century before being redeveloped in the late 1990s. Today, the Great Northern Warehouse is a mixed-use leisure and entertainment complex, home to a cinema, restaurants, bars, and offices, while retaining its historic exterior and much of its industrial character (visitmanchester.com).
Why Shoot Here?
The Great Northern Warehouse offers rich visual opportunities for photographers and Instagrammers:
- Industrial heritage: Capture intricate brickwork, arched loading bays, and original iron features.
- Scale and perspective: Its vast façade provides dramatic symmetry and leading lines.
- Day and night contrast: Daytime emphasises texture and detail, while evening lighting highlights the arches and signage.
- Best times to visit:
- Morning light for warm tones on the brickwork.
- Blue hour/night for illuminated façades and lively street scenes.
- Composition ideas:
- Frame the building from the Deansgate side for its full frontage.
- Use the surrounding urban environment—trams, traffic trails, or pedestrians—for context and movement.
- Detail shots of plaques, ironwork, and architectural flourishes.
Further Information
- Historic England – Great Northern Warehouse — official listing details and architectural description
- Visit Manchester – Great Northern Warehouse — current tenants, facilities, and events
- Manchester History – Great Northern Railway Goods Warehouse — historical background and images
- Cinema and Dining at Great Northern — venue guide for leisure activities inside the building