Architectural plans

  1. We have a large collection of architectural plans which capture the city's buildings from 1890 to the 1980s.

  2. What's available

    • 1866 to 1889 - to enquire about plans email archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk
    • 1890 to 1958 - parts of the collection have been fully indexed (from 1890 to 1906 and from 1948 to 1958). To search for these plans use the archives catalogue. Enter M900 in the 'identifier' field and the street or architect's name in the 'any text' field. You can then make an appointment to view the plans at Central Library.
    • 1903 to 1947 - you can check the paper finding aids for plans dating from 1903 to 1947 yourself in the Central Library search room, no appointment needed. First check the page numbers for the street you want in the street index. Then go to that page in the plan register to find out more information about the building, such as the architect, owner, type and crucially the plan number.
    • 1959 to 1980s - the finding aid for the period from 1959 to the 1980s is a card index arranged alphabetically by street. Please email archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk with your enquiry and we will check the index for you.

  3. Related information

    We also have city engineers plans and Manchester area local plans.

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