Unicorn Hotel, Manchester

The building is constructed of brick in English garden-wall bond with faience detailing, slate roofs and timber windows.^[5] Its north-facing front has three bays with an angled bay to the left and follows a simple neo-Georgian layout. The elevation is symmetrical, with faience at ground level and brickwork above, finished with a parapet. Openings are set in plain surrounds, and the timber windows include mullions, transoms and leaded glazing in varying patterns.^[6]

The centre bay is faced entirely in faience and includes the main doorway, framed by pilasters and a square surround, with timber double doors and a leaded overlight. The angled corner bay repeats the treatment of the main front.^[2]

Along Joiner Street the range continues for seven bays in brick and faience. Openings follow the pattern of the front, with some altered at ground level, including a former doorway and a wagon entrance now closed by railings. Upper floors have timber mullion-and-transom windows with leaded glazing. The roofline shows exposed eaves with gutters, and the plinth runs the full length. Modern lights and signage are fixed to the elevation.^[2]

To the rear, the lower level is mostly hidden, with a single first‑floor window visible. The inner faces around the yard have simple timber windows, many with leaded panes.^[6]

The cellar retains early service features, including the lift to the bar, a dumbwaiter, the former wash area, blocked steps, and the barrel and coal drops.^[2] Two further dumbwaiters survive in the servery.^[4]

On the ground floor, decorative tiling remains in the porch and on the former passage wall,^[6] and the Church Street lobby retains inter‑war tiling.^[4] The plan is largely intact, with original panelling, fixed seating, joinery and the servery with patterned leaded glazing.^[6] Much of the seating and panelling appears to date from the 1920s.^[4] The former smoke room retains bell pushes and faience fireplaces, and the gents' doorway has an elaborate surround.^[6] A patterned leaded skylight above the smoke room is thought to be original.^[2] The screened island bar with leaded panels also survives.^[4]

A small snug at the rear retains original seating with some later panelling. Two further snugs retain panelling, fixed seating, bell pushes, ceramic fireplaces and a stained and leaded skylight, possibly later in date.^[4]

The staircase and balustrade survive throughout.^[6] The first‑floor landing is wainscoted, with surviving doors, architraves, picture rails, coving and at least one fireplace.^[2] The dining room is a well‑preserved 1920s interior with panelling, plasterwork, light fittings, serving hatch, dumbwaiter and glazed doors. Early secondary glazing survives to some front windows, along with original signage.^[4]

The second floor retains wainscoting, glazed service doors, larder shelving and a probable copper stand. Bedroom and bathroom doors, four fireplaces, built‑in wardrobes, picture rails and coving all survive.^[6] Only two exterior windows from 1924 remain.^[4]

• Listed buildings in Manchester-M4
• Listed pubs in Manchester