Leeds Town Hall

Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858 in Park Lane (now The Headrow), Leeds, West Yorkshire to a design by architect Cuthbert Brodrick. 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 the seventh 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 ft (68.5 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 m taller at 77 m. 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.

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.

ee also

*List of tallest buildings in Leeds
*Architecture in Leeds

References

*cite book | last = Wrathmell | first = Susan | coauthors = with Minnis, John | title = Leeds (Pevsner Architectural Guides) | year = 2005 | publisher = Yale University Press | location = New Haven, CT | id = ISBN 0-300-10736-6 |pages=pp60-67

External links

* [http://www.leeds.gov.uk/discover/discovery.asp?page=200335_519878567 Leeds City Council information about the Town Hall]
* [http://www.vrleeds.co.uk/town_hall_tour/index.html Virtual Tour inside Leeds Town Hall]
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