Warehouse function
Historically warehouses were a dominant part of the urban landscape used from the start of the Industrial Revolution through the 19th century and into the twentieth century: the building remained when their original usage had changed. There are four identifiable types of warehouses. The cotton industry was co-terminus with the development of the warehouse, and all five types were represented in Manchester, United Kingdom. Warehouses in Manchester were often lavishly decorated juxtaposing with the modern view of warehouses which are assumed to be standard industrial buildings.

Display of Goods for Sale
These displayed goods for the home trade. This would be finished goods- such as the latest cotton blouses or fashion items. There street frontage was impressive, so they took the styles of Italianate Palazzos.
Richard Cobden's construction in Mosley Street was the first palazzo warehouse. There were already seven warehouses on Portland Street when they commenced building the elaborate Watts Warehouse of 1855, but four more were opened before it was finished. It was this type of warehouse that inspired the Germans in Duesseldorf and Muenchen to name their prestigious departmental stores, 'Warenhausen'.
Overseas Warehouses
These catered for the overseas trade. They became the meeting places for overseas wholesale buyers where printed and plain could be discussed and ordered. Trade in cloth in Manchester was conducted by many nationalities.
Behrens Warehouse is on the corner of Oxford Street and Portland Street. It was built for Louis Behrens & Son by P Nunn in 1860. It is a four storey predominantly red brick build with 23 bays along Portland Street and 9 along Oxford Street. The Behrens family were prominent in banking and in the social life of the German Community in Manchester.
Packing Warehouses
The main purpose of a packing