In 1957, the Barton Arcade was sold privately for a sum "in the region of £200,000" for 12 shops and three floors of offices and showrooms.

"[2] The arcade underwent restoration in the 1980s, and the original shop fronts and decorative floor no longer exist.

[1] Hartwell describes the Barton's Building façade as "utterly ignorant... the ground floor pilasters must be seen to be believed.

"[5] The entrance to the arcade on St Ann's Square incorporates a large, cast iron and glass wall.

The building is "four storeys with an attic, a long nine-bay façade to Deansgate, divided in half horizontally by a balustraded balcony.