The view north from the Epping Walk Bridge across the Princess Parkway

“Probably the most notable landmark in the background is Manchester Central”

Another piece of magic this Friday courtesy of Steve Welsh’s incredible back catalogue of old Manchester photos!

The top photo is from 1986 and shows the view north from the Epping Walk Bridge across the Princess Parkway, looking towards the city centre.

Probably the most notable landmark in the background is Manchester Central (then G-Mex: Greater Manchester Exhibitional Hall - a name I still use to this day!) The Town Hall is also visible over to the right and you can also see the grey clad building which was originally home to the British Council at ‘Grand Island’ - now No. 1 Tony Wilson Place, First Street.

The bottom photo is from the same location at the beginning of September 2025 and shows the unreal change over the past four decades. From left to right:

The Manchester Metropolitan University Birley Fields Campus;
Deansgate Square by RENAKER (part of the New Jackson neighbourhood);
River Street Tower by Downing;
The under construction 325 Deansgate by Dean Street Developments;
Beetham Tower by Beetham;
Viadux by Salboy;
Axis by Property Alliance;
First Street South by Downing; and,
The Manchester Metropolitan University’s Archway Hall student accommodation.

In the middle of the photo is the Hulme Arch, which was completed in 1997 and designed by Chris Wilkinson Architects.