36 CONTEXT 189 : SEPTEMBER 2026 STEPHEN LEVRANT Moving and conserving Manchester Cenotaph With minimal restoration of the fabric of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ relocated Manchester Cenotaph, its original dignity, symbolism and purpose have been preserved. The Grade II* listed war memorial in St Peter’s Square, Manchester, was built in 1924 to designs by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944).The original memorial comprised a cenotaph, two flanking obelisks and a War Stone. The cenotaph takes the form of a pylon supporting a catafalque on which lies the figure of an Unknown Soldier. The original setting of the memorial was compromised by the introduction of Metrolink tram infrastructure in the 1990s and other changes to the surrounding cityscape. The original context had thus changed, and by relocating the monument its new context reinstated the original dignity and purpose. The dignity and purpose of the memorial had become demeaned over time, as the setting had changed drastically from that of the original conception. The construction of the Second City Crossing Metrolink tram route created an opportunity to improve and enhance the townscape and setting of the cenotaph. In 2012 Levrant Heritage Architecture was appointed by Manchester City Council to design a new setting for the cenotaph and to manage its repair, conservation and relocation. Lutyens designed the Manchester cenotaph in 1924. Original drawings survive, together with some correspondence. The site ultimately chosen for the monument was St Peter’s Square, but this was not the first choice. The proposed war memorial had been referred to as ‘The Cenotaph’ from the beginning, after the erection of Lutyens’ London Cenotaph in 1920. Even at that date Lutyens had become a recognised authority for war memorial designs. He was appointed almost immediately, without any competition being held. St Peter’s Square has been an important public space since 1788 when it was the setting for St Peter’s Church, a major city landmark, which was demolished in 1907. The site of the demolished church was marked by a memorial cross designed by Temple Moore. Despite securing approval to remove it, Lutyens wished to incorporate it in his layout. Lutyens reused his cenotaph design from Whitehall, which was originally constructed of timber and intended to be temporary, but at a The restored Manchester Cenotaph, with the Town Hall behind it
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