Stop 3: Castlefield Historical Zone
Industrial Framework, Urban Living
Designated as Britain’s first Urban Heritage Park in 1982, Castlefield demonstrates how industrial infrastructure can be reimagined for modern urban life. The area is dominated by massive Victorian railway viaducts, whose brick arches create a dramatic architectural framework. The 1894 cast-iron MSJAR Viaduct particularly demonstrates Victorian engineering prowess, with its decorative supports showing how industrial structures incorporated aesthetic elements.
Modern architects have embraced these historic structures, weaving contemporary buildings through and around them. The Y-shaped footbridge, wooden boardwalks, and steel-and-glass apartments show how new design can complement industrial heritage. The area’s regeneration began with the conversion of Liverpool Road Station and gathered pace in the 1990s, with warehouses transformed into apartments, offices, and cultural spaces.
Key features include the restored Middle Warehouse (now offices and restaurants), the reconstructed Roman fort walls, and the arena complex. Notice how modern materials – steel, glass, and timber – are used alongside traditional brick and stone, creating a dialogue between old and new architecture. The waterfront developments demonstrate current best practices in heritage-sensitive design.
To Stop 4, Deansgate: Exit Castlefield via Liverpool Road, turn right onto Deansgate.
