Leeds Town Hall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Leeds Town Hall - Victorian civic confidence |
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| Building | |
|---|---|
| Architectural style | Classical/Baroque |
| Town | Leeds |
| Country | England |
| Client | Corporation of Leeds |
| Construction | |
| Started | 1853 |
| Completed | 1858 |
| Design team | |
| Architect | Cuthbert Brodrick |
Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858 in Park Lane (now The Headrow), Leeds, West Yorkshire, England to a design by architect Cuthbert Brodrick.[1] It represents Leeds's emergence as an important industrial centre during the Industrial Revolution and is a symbol of civic pride and confidence. It is one of the largest town halls in the United Kingdom and as of 2008[update] it is the eighth tallest building in Leeds. The Town Hall was opened by Queen Victoria, highlighting its status as an important Victorian civic structure. It is a Grade I listed building.
With a height of 225 feet (68.6 m) it was the tallest building in Leeds from its construction in 1858 until 1966, when it lost the title to the Park Plaza Hotel, which stands 8 metres (26 ft) taller at 77 metres (250 ft). It has held the title longer than any other building, a record 108 years. The distinctive clock tower, which serves for many as a symbol of Leeds as well as having become visually iconic of local government nationally, was not part of the initial design but was added by Brodrick in 1856 as the civic leaders sought to make an even grander statement.
It was built to serve many functions including -
- To house various council offices.
- To act as the new courtroom facility for the city.
- To serve as a police station or 'Central Charge Office'.
- To provide a hall for concerts and civic events.
It still has a role as a council office, although many council departments have been relocated to neighbouring municipal buildings.
The building's principal performance space, the richly decorated Victoria Hall, is the main venue for orchestral concerts in central Leeds. Its Concert Organ, one of the largest in Europe, is used for lunchtime organ recitals, many given by City Organist Dr Simon Lindley.
On 26 May 1868 a bazaar was held in the Town Hall to help pay off the debts incurred with the building of the Mechanics Institute, these were around £6,000.[2]
In addition to the Town Hall, Leeds has a Civic Hall opened in 1933, the seat of Leeds City Council.
Recently the Town Hall was home to a breeding pair of kestrels.
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[edit] Bombing
On 14 and 15 March 1941, Leeds received its worst ever Luftwaffe bombing. Houses were destroyed in Bramley, Burley, Armley and Beeston and bombs were dropped on the City Centre, hitting the east side of the Town Hall and causing significant damage to the roof and walls on the Calverley Street side of the building. All the damage was repaired shortly after.[citation needed]
[edit] Praise
In a BBC film released in the 1960s regarding the changing architecture of Leeds, poet John Betjeman, well known for his love of Victorian Architecture, praised Leeds Town Hall. He was less sympathetic towards City House (then British Railways House).[3]
On 29 November 2008, Leeds Town Hall and the town halls of Halifax, Paisley, Burslem, Hornsey, Manchester, Lynton, Dunfermline, Fordwich and Much Wenlock were selected as the "ten town halls to visit" by the editors of the magazine Architecture Today. They said: The epitome of northern civic bombast, Leeds' municipal palace has a grandeur that helps sustain the city's sense of its own importance. Its architect, Cuthbert Broderick, also contributed the Corn Exchange and City Museum before disappearing into obscurity.[4]
[edit] Modern uses
Today the Town Hall is mainly used for music concerts and formal civic functions. In 1999 and 2000, when the adjacent Central Library was being refurbished, Leeds Town Hall provided storage for the library's contents and a small lending library operated from the crypt. In 2003 a concert by American band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club had to be abandoned half way through the set as the floor started to move and officials feared collapse.[5][6][7] Along with the Great Hall of the University of Leeds, the Town Hall is the setting of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition.[8]
[edit] Plans and Documentation
 Park Lane (now The Headrow) in 1847. A small park lies on the site of the town hall |
 A map showing Park House (the site of the town hall) in 1852 |
 First drawing for the proposed town hall |
 Order of procession for the laying of the foundation stone |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Wrathmell, Susan; with Minnis, John (2005). Leeds (Pevsner Architectural Guides). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. pp. 60–67. ISBN 0-30010-736-6.
- ^ http://www.leeds.gov.uk/discover/discovery.asp?page=200335_519878567
- ^ http://www.leeds.gov.uk/discover/discovery.asp?pageno=&page=200335_519878567&topic=200335_854717434
- ^ http://www.leedsfilm.com/films.aspx?id=111
- ^ "Ten town halls to visit". Daily Telegraph. 29 Nov 2008. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/3534951/Ten-town-halls-to-visit.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-11.
- ^ http://www.leeds.gov.uk/discover/discovery.asp?pageno=&page=200335_519878567&topic=200335_854717434
- ^ http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/1583/
- ^ http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/tourarchive/2004/02/14/?s=402
- ^ http://www.leedspiano.com/Home/Competition_History.aspx
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Leeds Town Hall |
- Leeds City Council information about the Town Hall
- Virtual Tour inside Leeds Town Hall
- Images of England — details from listed building database (465669) - Leeds Town Hall - Grade I
Coordinates: 53°48′01″N 1°32′59″W / 53.8003°N 1.5497°W
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