Asia House
A masterpiece of Edwardian warehouse design, Asia House blends industrial function with ornamental splendor. Its marble-lined entrance and Art Nouveau stairwell exemplify the ambition of early 20th-century Manchester commerce.
At a glance
Asia House at No. 82 Princess Street is an early 20th-century packing and shipping warehouse built between 1906 and 1909 in Edwardian Baroque style. Grade II* listed since 1974, it stands as a remarkable survivor of Manchester’s mercantile heritage, now adapted for residential use.
History
Constructed for the Refuge Assurance Company, Asia House opened in 1910 occupied by the Oxford Packing Company and 36 shipping merchants. The building exemplified Manchester’s dominance in textile packing and international trade during the Edwardian era. Its conversion to residential apartments in 2003 preserved the structure while adapting it for contemporary use. The building has housed notable residents, including Noel Gallagher of the band Oasis.
What you see
Built on a trapezoidal plan, Asia House comprises two linked blocks rising six storeys plus an attic above a double basement. The principal façade displays pink-brown sandstone, brick, and marble; side elevations are glazed white brick marking service and workers’ entrances, while the rear employs common brick.
The entrance hall and stairwell are exceptionally rich, lined with veined marble and green and cream faience adorned with tree designs and Art Nouveau stained glass. Warehouse loading bays between the blocks connected via shafts to basement packing rooms. Gas lighting illuminated the interiors; large windows in upper floors admitted natural light for workers.
Cultural significance
Nikolaus Pevsner praised Asia House and its companion Manchester House as “quite splendid… good examples of the warehouse type designed for multiple occupation by shipping merchants.” The building demonstrates how functional industrial spaces were designed with ornamental ambition—showrooms and offices on lower floors impressed clients, while working areas above prioritized efficiency and light. The basement car park and loading mechanism reflect Manchester’s hydraulic power system, an engineering marvel of its time.
Key facts
- Address: No. 82 Princess Street, Manchester
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: Manchester
- Built: 1906–1909
- Style: Edwardian Baroque
- Grade II* listed: 3 October 1974
- Architects: Attributed to I.R.E. Birkett; English Heritage attributes it to Harry S. Fairhurst
- Coordinates: 53.475, -2.2381
Practical information & getting there
Asia House is located on Princess Street in Manchester’s city centre. The building is now residential apartments and not open for public tours. The façade and entrance hall remain visible from the street. Manchester is well served by rail, bus, and airport connections.
Sources & resources
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