Shared description
The Grand Arcade, Leeds
One of a series of similar arcades developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to replaces the cramped yards of the post-medieval city.
The Grand Arcade was built in 1897 and features extensive use of terracotta dressings and decoration, including colour-glazed elements. Originally two full arcades ran between Briggate and Vicar Lane, but part of the Northern arcade was converted into the Tower Cinema in around 1920, and the eastern end of this was also later enclosed, leaving the current situation of one long arcade between Briggate and Vicar Lane and a cross arcade leading onto Merrion Street.
The main facades are characterised by the large semicircular openings over the arcade entrances, the bays above which are infilled with coloured glazed decorative features and inscriptions. The two facades are distinguished by having different treatments of these panels, colonnades facing Briggate and Oculi facing Vicar Lane. The Briggate facade also carries the date 1897 in glazed work in the central gable. Facing Briggate, the main material is brickwork with paler terracotta dressing, whereas facing Vicar Lane the whole facade is pink terracotta with darker dressings.
The interior of the arcades is relatively plain with simple pointed arch trusses supporting the glass roof, and shopfronts with relatively plain decoration. A feature of the arcade is the mechanical clock at the Vicar Lane end by local clock manufacturer Potts.
The arcade is Listed Grade II.
The Grand Arcade was built in 1897 and features extensive use of terracotta dressings and decoration, including colour-glazed elements. Originally two full arcades ran between Briggate and Vicar Lane, but part of the Northern arcade was converted into the Tower Cinema in around 1920, and the eastern end of this was also later enclosed, leaving the current situation of one long arcade between Briggate and Vicar Lane and a cross arcade leading onto Merrion Street.
The main facades are characterised by the large semicircular openings over the arcade entrances, the bays above which are infilled with coloured glazed decorative features and inscriptions. The two facades are distinguished by having different treatments of these panels, colonnades facing Briggate and Oculi facing Vicar Lane. The Briggate facade also carries the date 1897 in glazed work in the central gable. Facing Briggate, the main material is brickwork with paler terracotta dressing, whereas facing Vicar Lane the whole facade is pink terracotta with darker dressings.
The interior of the arcades is relatively plain with simple pointed arch trusses supporting the glass roof, and shopfronts with relatively plain decoration. A feature of the arcade is the mechanical clock at the Vicar Lane end by local clock manufacturer Potts.
The arcade is Listed Grade II.
Created: Wed, 18 Apr 2018, Updated: Sun, 22 Apr 2018
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