Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange, located in Leeds, is a Grade I listed building constructed between 1861 and 1863 by architect Cuthbert Brodrick. It has been converted into a shopping precinct following renovations in 1989-1990. The building is made of rough rock and millstone grit, featuring diamond rustication and a grey slate dome. It has multi-flue stacks positioned around the rear of the parapet and iron cresting on the oval dome, which includes glazing on the north side.

The Corn Exchange is oval in shape, with two storeys above a basement. The exterior showcases closely spaced round-arched windows in double recesses on both storeys, fitted with plate-glass sashes. There are three entrances: two large single-storey semicircular arcaded porches with attached Tuscan columns supporting a cornice, facing Duncan Street and New Market Street/Kirkgate, and a third entrance with three semicircular steps facing Crown Street. The building features heavy moulded sill and string courses, a bucranium frieze, a dentilled cornice, and a parapet adorned with a clock and coat of arms, decorated with swags and scrolls, along with the inscription "CORN EXCHANGE" and "ERECTED A.D. 1862."

Inside, the Corn Exchange boasts a partly glazed dome supported by semi-elliptical and semicircular iron ribs. It contains two storeys of moulded brick arches that house 59 office units, with the upper units accessible from a balcony featuring cast-iron railings supported on large brackets. The interior retains most of its original furnishings, including merchants' desks, sample trays, and name boards. The 20th-century conversion involved the removal of part of the ground floor to provide access to the basement, which now includes new stairs and matching cast-iron railings. The basement floor is made of Elland flags.

Cuthbert Brodrick, who trained with HF Lockwood, began his practice in Hull and won the open competition to design Leeds Town Hall in 1853. He also designed the Mechanics' Institute, now the Art School, in 1865.