One Piccadilly Gardens

Whose land is it anyway? That’s the question that hangs over One Piccadilly Gardens. This imposing red brick and glass structure dominates the east side of Piccadilly Gardens. One Piccadilly Gardens opened in 2003. It was part of a controversial redevelopment project. The land it stands on was originally gifted to the city by Sir Oswald Mosley, the 2nd Baronet, in the 18th century. The condition? It must remain for public use forever. Failure to comply meant the land would revert back to the Mosley family. For a time, Manchester Royal Infirmary stood here, built in 1755 with Mosley’s permission. After the infirmary moved in 1908, the building was demolished. In the 1930s, the area became a sunken garden, a tranquil oasis in the bustling city. Yet, at the turn of the 21st century, Manchester City Council sold a portion of this land to Argent Group to fund the redevelopment of Piccadilly Gardens. One Piccadilly Gardens arose from this sale, shrinking the public space by 11%. Some argue this violated Mosley’s original stipulation. One Piccadilly Gardens stands seven stories tall, housing offices for companies like Allianz and BNY Mellon, with shops and restaurants at ground level. Its glazed facades and striking diagonal void entrance linking Portland Street to Piccadilly Gardens earned it a RIBA National Award in 2004. Yet, its very existence sparks debate. Is it a symbol of progress or a betrayal of a centuries-old agreement?