53 King Street

53 King Street is a Grade II listed commercial building in Manchester constructed from Portland stone with seven bays along King Street and eight bays facing Cross Street. The four-story structure with a chamfered corner features double attics and a basement, representing standard commercial design of the Edwardian period.

Architect Charles Heathcote designed this building in 1915 during Manchester's thriving commercial period. The structure received Grade II listed status in 1974, recognizing its importance as a surviving example of Edwardian commercial architecture.

The building showcases early 20th-century commercial design through its Portland stone facade and distinctive corner placement on two major streets. Passersby notice how the structure dominates this intersection with its scale and materials reflecting the confidence of Manchester's prosperous retail era.

The building sits centrally in Manchester's M2 postcode area at the intersection of two major streets, making it easy to locate and observe from multiple angles. The ground floor currently operates as a restaurant, so the interior can be partially viewed during dining hours.

This building occupies the site where Manchester's old Town Hall once stood, creating a link between the city's administrative past and its retail present. The location shift demonstrates how the city's commercial heart evolved during the early 1900s.