 The Gables was designed by the
distinguished architect Edward Solomons and built
for his own use. It has been empty for a number of
years and at one time came close to demolition on
the grounds that it was "not economically viable" to
convert since it was in such poor condition. A
coalition of local residents with the support of
M.P. Gerald Kaufman, the local civic society,
English Heritage and the Manchester Historic
Buildings Panel, managed to stave off
demolition.Since it is located adjacent to the
Manchester University residence complex "Opal
Gardens", it was proposed, at one point, to convert
the house into 77 student bedroom but that plan
never came to fruition.
 Solomons
designed the The Manchester Reform Club, located in
the heart of the City's financial district, on the
corner of King Street and Spring Gardens. That
building represents an outstanding example of
Victorian Venetian Gothic architecture and was once
the social citadel of Liberalism in Manchester. Many
famous names helped to establish the name and fame of
the Manchester Reform Club as the home of Liberalism,
including Gladstone whose statue still stands in the
building.
The house has been refurbished and incorporated into the Opal Gardens University Residence Complex. 
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