Modernist Delights

Sun-dappled purple palace, Manchester, 2025

A tall white high-rise building, identified as Premier Inn, stands against a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight reflects off its many windows. Glass office buildings and construction fencing surround the main building in an urban setting.

If you live in northern England long enough, you become so desperate to see the sun after a long winter that even the way it bounces off the purple palace in the afternoon becomes romantic.

Panning across a parkade, Toronto, 1996

David Cronenberg filmed this shot specifically for me.

St John’s House, Manchester, 2025

A tall, grey, modern building with many rows of identical windows. On the ground floor are shops, including “BETFRED” with a blue and red sign and “RUNNING”. Several people walk on the sidewalk in front of the building under a cloudy sky.

Brush factory, Loughborough, 2022

A quiet train station at night, illuminated by yellow lights. A covered staircase leads up on the left. In the background, a large, bright pink neon sign reads BRUSH against a dark building. Wet platforms reflect the lights, and the sky is black.

Patterned ‘n’ tiled basement in Manchester, 2025

A sidewalk with mossy patches runs alongside a green metal fence. Behind the fence is a wall with diamond-patterned ventilation blocks below and frosted windows above. Bare trees reflect in the glass, indicating a winter or early spring scene.

Riparian pub, Salford, 2025

A canal with still water reflects modern glass office buildings and old brick arches. Graffiti covers some arches, and a small wooden structure sits above them. Sparse plants and bare branches line the canal bank under an overcast sky.

One of my favourite views in Manchester – The Mark Addy.

The roof of the building looked a bit like a mix between a bus shelter and a strange conservatory.
– Remembering Manchester and Salford’s original riverside pub that sank

It appeals to me on both counts, the curved glass is great and has a real nostalgic-futuristic feel about it.

Textured concrete in Manchester, 2025

A gray concrete parking garage with rectangular windows and vents on the upper floors. The building has a slightly worn appearance. A yellow P parking sign is shown on the lower level. The sky above is overcast with thick gray clouds.

Looking up at Lowry House, Manchester, 2025

A tall, brown concrete building with many windows stands behind a modern structure. The front building features a vertical green wall covered in lush plants and a dark metal facade, contrasting with the urban architecture. The sky above is overcast.

Glazed staircase in New Mills, 2020

I delved into my photo library looking for something else, but instead I found this glazed staircase at the Swizzels Matlow factory in New Mills in intra-lockdown 2020.

A narrow canal runs beside old brick and glass factory buildings under a partly cloudy sky. The water reflects the buildings and sky. A dirt path lines the canal, with greenery and a corrugated metal fence on the right side.

Williamson Power Station, Lancaster, 2025 (again)

An old red-brick industrial building, partially demolished, stands behind metal fencing and rubble piles. Its tall chimney is intact, while the right side reveals exposed steel framework. The sky is clear blue, and debris is scattered in the foreground.

My favourite derelict power station looking resplendent in spring light 🥰

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