Original post -5 December 2020:

Oddfellows House is right opposite the State Library – originally quite striking bit of Art Deco, it’s reasonably intact, though with the paint and trees it doesn’t look that exciting anymore.

It was built as an investment block for Manchester Unity in 1940-41, designed of course by #MarcusBarlow – I had thought the windows were replaced and bricks rendered when converted to student housing in 1997, but actually the windows remain and the bricks are just painted ! The extra floors are terrible though, and it’s lost the sign.

It was requisitioned by the Army pretty much as soon as it was finished, then compulsorily purchased by the Commonwealth in 1947, renamed Jensen House, then home to various Federal agencies I guess.

It’s one of about 30 pre WW2 CBD buildings that should have been #heritagelisted years ago that are now in the process (update yes now listed).

Old colour pic Graeme Butler 1985.

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