Leeds Town Hall Building Photos, Architect, Design, Historic West Yorkshire Civic Property Images

Leeds Town Hall : Civic Architecture

West Yorkshire Victorian Civic Building, northern England design by Architect Cuthbert Brodrick, UK

30 May 2009

Leeds Town Hall Building

Location: west city centre

photos © Adrian Welch

Leeds Town Hall – Concert + Wedding Venue redevelopment
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Design: originally by Cuthbert Brodrick Architect

Entry to Town Hall round the side on the east facade

photo © webbaviation

The town hall construction was approved in 1851. It was intended to represent Leeds’ emergence as an important industrial centre during the Industrial Revolution and symbolize civic pride and confidence.

Leeds Corporation tendered for designs from architects and the contract was won by Cuthbert Brodrick, an unknown architect from Kingston upon Hull who had trained in Paris. The building contract went to Samuel Atack, who completed most of its construction before the hazards of a large building project ultimately led to his bankruptcy.

The building was subject to much criticism during its construction. The original estimated costs were vastly exceeded and the corporation had to find extra funding at a time when there was great poverty among the Leeds’ working classes.

photos © Adrian Welch