Barton Arcade

The Barton Arcade is a Victorian shopping center in Deansgate, Manchester, featuring four stories connected by ornate cast iron staircases beneath a soaring glass dome in the central atrium. The building spans a substantial retail space with shops across all levels sharing this unified covered space.

Built in 1871 by Corbett, Raby, and Sawyer, the structure represented cutting-edge commercial design for its era. The building sustained damage during wartime including shattering of the glass dome, yet it has endured and continues serving as a shopping destination.

The structure displays hallmarks of Victorian commercial design through its cast iron framework and glass elements that catch the light. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship in the metalwork details and decorative columns that shape how the space feels.

The shopping center is located between Deansgate and St Ann's Square, easily accessible in the city center. Visitors can explore all levels via the grand staircases or modern elevators, making it straightforward to move through the different retail areas.

The iron components throughout the structure were manufactured at Glasgow's Saracen Foundry and feature intricate patterns and skilled craftsmanship. This production history reveals the industrial networks and specialized manufacturing of the 1800s.