Piccadilly Gardens

Before 1755, the area was occupied by water-filled clay pits called the Daub Holes. The street running along the northern edge was then called Lever's Row, later renamed Piccadilly. In the 18th century, Sir Oswald Mosley, 2nd Baronet, of Rolleston, Lord of the Manor of Manchester, donated the land to the city on condition that it should remain in public use in perpetuity, on pain of the land reverting to the Mosley family.

The square is surrounded by buildings that cover the ages of modern Manchester. From old Victorian warehouses and shops dating from the Industrial Revolution, and Manchester's role as the cotton marketing capital to the new office block development, which is part of the 21st century regeneration of the square. The building that visitors are likely to notice first is the huge complex of Piccadilly Plaza.