Erected to mark the site of St Peter's Church (built in 1788 and demolished in 1907) after its demise, as urbanisation took hold and its parishioners decamped to the suburbs. What had been open fields became St Peter's Square, surrounded by large buildings - the Midland Hotel around 1898; the Central Library in 1934; the Town Hall Extension in 1938; Peter House in 1958.
Under the current Metrolink redevelopment, new offices are being completed across the square from these older buildings, and the Cross has been (slightly) relocated to where it now stands in the photo. In the distance is the Bridgewater Hall, current home of the Hallé.
The new tram lines make interesting arabesques on the roadway and are likely to be a challenge for cyclists.
SJ8397 : Mills across the water Building on the right is a modern pastiche. I looked at this early in 2008 and realised it for what it was quite quickly. There is an excellent complex of converted mills in this corner. Just as important as Ancoats.