Description

LEEDS

SE2934SE CALVERLEY STREET
714-1/74/77 (East side)
05/08/76 Civic Hall

GV II*

Civic hall. Completed 1933. By E Vincent Harris. Portland
stone, slate roofs. V-plan on an almost triangular site, the
southern corner truncated with the main facade facing the
downhill square.
This facade is of 2 storeys with attic storey set back; 7
large sashes with glazing bars, ground floor Gibbs architraves
with alternate triangular and segmental pediments, balustered
parapet, large portico with giant Corinthian columns and
pediment containing coat of arms. Flanking small pedimented
pavilions with arches, and set back high above at both ends a
tall Renaissance (Wrenish) tower with Corinthian columns at
corners of 1st stage with round-headed openings, pedimented
bell stage above and obelisk spires with gilded owls as
finials.
Left and right returns: 5 storeys, 15 bays, 1st floor
rusticated with round-headed windows; at 3rd-floor level under
tower is a gilded clock on large bracket.
INTERIOR: the entrance hall, reception areas, assembly hall,
council chamber and committee rooms all contain impressive
original decoration and detailing which includes: a long
reception hall with painted columns, cruciform plan at N end,
with tunnel vault which is repeated in the side corridors;
fine divided staircase at N end; rear entrance to reception
room with end fireplaces, mirrored overmantel and chandelier
from Town Hall; Council Chamber with oval seating plan, tall
small-paned windows above plaques with names of past Council
members of note, plain ceiling, cornice with roundels and
shields, end galleries reached by stone stairs, panelled
doors. Main stairs rise to a fine reception area and meeting
room with pilasters and Classical detailing.
Pevsner describes the building as: 'as ambitious as the Town
Hall but not quite as self-confident... has originality and
some courage'. The architect also designed Sheffield City
Hall, completed 1934.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner, N & Radcliffe E:
Yorkshire, The West Riding: London: 1967-: 65, 315, 453).

Listing NGR: SE2983434081

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Leeds Civic Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q4390835

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability