'Landmark': Your memories of iconic and divisive Manchester building that could soon be gone forever

Last week, conservation charity SAVE Britain's Heritage added the building, along with ten other Greater Manchester buildings, to its at-risk register. This growing list of architectural gems from across the country includes everything from quaint 16th century cottages to striking modernist landmarks like the Toast Rack. 

Completed in 1960, it was designed by Manchester City Council’s chief architect at the time Leonard Cecil Howitt. It started out as the Domestic Trades College before becoming part of the Manchester Polytechnic, which later became Manchester Metropolitan University. It was used until 2013, but then sold to an overseas investor for £5million in 2014. 

It has remained largely abandoned since then, save for a gym which leases the ‘drum’ part of the former college building. It was announced in 2023 that the Toast Rack was once again up for sale, and this time the building comes with planning permission for 200 new homes.

When we published the updated SAVE at-risk register, we were inundated with comments on our Facebook page, mainly about the Toast Rack. Some see it as an important part of the Manchester skyline, filled with happy college memories of courses in everything from food tech to dress making. Others see it as an eyesore that has long served its purpose. 

One reader who falls into the latter category is John Roberston. He said: “The ‘Toast rack’ must be saved it is such an important part of Manchester. I remember passing it with my mum and dad when I was 6 or 7 and saying I am going to go there because I am a genius. Ten years later I was studying there for my RIPHH. So many Manchester people have fond memories of Hollins College.”

Another Facebook user, Ken Connaughton, who was a clothing technology student there in the late 1960s, shared this anecdote: “I recall I used to live at the other end of Old Hall Lane and would walk to college every day. I was often late but one day when I had a class in the room just inside the fence line (far right in the photo) and was late, some of my class mates opened a window for me to climb in while the teacher was out to see the head of department. She was shocked to see me sitting in my place on her return. It was a pattern drafting class and all through the lesson she just stared at me!! Can’t remember her name though.”

Facebook user Jason Williamson joked: “Don't let the Rack turn to toast.” While Lynne P Davies simply commented: “Would be a pity to lose a MCR landmark.”

Some of our Facebook followers also had some ideas as to how the building could be repurposed in the future. Facebook user Shaun Lynch said that Manchester is “crying out for homeless accommodation or homes for rent. This building could easily accommodate both but as usual those who can make the decision are not bothered or is it a case of not enough money in it for them???”

Not everyone is a fan of the building. Janice Maher Cougill said that it “looks just like a 1960s offices, like in Brooklyn’s, I don’t understand how that can be listed.” While Karl Gregory said: “The barbarism of architecture. Tear it down!”

Joanne Radcliffe Mathews: “I went to university at the poached egg and toast rack - and it was not fit for purpose, even then. It's ugly and very cold inside. Good luck finding an alternative use for it - dreadful piece of design.”

It’s not just the building’s aesthetic that people have issues with. Some have also criticised the quality of the structure. 

Tony Miles, a Facebook user who had worked in the building, said: “In its later years whenever it rained water would flow down the walls inside - it was in a very bad state. However I believe when MMU moved away it was looked at for conversion to a hotel but a mixture of rules over its protected status and the cost of making it properly watertight made it unviable. For all those saying ‘it must be saved’ the questions are: 1) and used for what? and 2) who will pay for it?”