City Hall

SHEFFIELD

SK3587SW BARKER'S POOL 784-1/24/59 (North side) 16/01/81 City Hall

GV II*

Public hall. 1920-1934, with alterations 1984. By E Vincent Harris. Ashlar with asphalt flat roofs. Classical Revival style. EXTERIOR: plinth, moulded cornices, coped parapets. 3 storeys plus basement; 11 x 11 bays. Windowless cubic central block with modillion cornice with lower attachments in 2 steps on each side. South front has a portico of 8 giant Corinthian columns in antis, the entablature carried around the pylons to each side. Under the portico, 3 moulded round-arched entrances with glazed screens and fanlights, protected by crested wrought-iron gates. 3 storey returns have cross casements on the lower floors, the ground floor windows having moulded surrounds and cornices. Upper windows are smaller 2-light casements. Right return has a rusticated basement with multiple keystones to the openings, and in the centre, 3 round-headed entrances with rusticated surrounds. Above them, 3 second floor windows with balustraded balconies. At each end, a corniced single storey square pavilion with a round-headed doorway with rusticated surround. Left return has similar fenestration without a basement, and a small central door flanked by single larger doorways with fanlights and coats of arms on the transoms. On either side, 4 windows, and beyond, a plain double doorway. At each end a square pavilion with round-headed doorway, like those to the right return. At the rear, a rusticated apse with giant square Corinthian columns rising above the level of the building and carrying a heavy entablature. In each bay, a square window. In the centre, 3 double doors with keystones, flanked by a cross casement in each bay. INTERIOR has a full width round-arched entrance hall with 3 saucer domes with decoration by George Kruger Gray, and a balustraded barrel vaulted gallery. Oval main hall has 2 tiers of horseshoe balconies and elaborate shallow domed coffered ceiling with large oval rooflight. Semicircular Memorial Hall has a balcony with end piers topped with gilt lamps in the form of animals. Under the balcony, a continuous strip of square openings and 3 doors. Basement ballroom has a vaulted foyer with a double arcade of giant Doric columns, 3 x 7 bays. On either side, similar 7 bay arcades with square end pilasters flanking round-arched entrances. Entrance has 2 piers in antis, flanking the double doors. Enriched cross beam ceiling with 6 louvred lamps. Side passages have 3 pairs of doors leading to similarly decorated side rooms. Corridors have faience tiling. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Yorkshire: The West Riding: London: 1967-: 453).

Listing NGR: SK3518987236