133, 135 AND 137, BRIGGATE

LEEDS

SE3033SW BRIGGATE 714-1/78/65 (East side) 07/05/92 Nos.133, 135 AND 137

GV II

Post Office exchange, now shop premises. 1907. By Percy Robinson; top storey added c1920, altered C20. Red brick and pink terracotta, tiled facade to top storey, roof not visible. 5 storeys, 3 bays. In Renaissance style. Ground floor facade possibly preserved behind later C20 shop fronts; the central bay narrower and with a round-headed window of 3 lights to first floor, canted bay windows to 2nd and 3rd floors; the flanking bays, 1st and 2nd floors, have 3 round-arched windows slightly recessed behind an ornate facade of tall columns supporting a deep spandrel band with relief moulded decoration of figures, swags and foliage; the 3rd-floor windows deeply recessed behind a 5-arched facade; entablature, modillion cornice. Pilasters flank central bay and corners; terracotta used as banded rustication to 1st floor. 4th floor: 3 rectangular windows to each bay, pilasters with moulded panels, ball finials to corners, central plaque and swags to gablet; gable screen walls. INTERIOR: not inspected. Exchange Buildings was an adaptation of the original scheme of shops at a cost of »6,000. The principal floor of approx 3,000 square yards comprised the post and telegraph office, telephone boxes, letter boxes and lockers; grocery exchange to 1st floor with a reading room and writing room; the 2 upper floors were offices; basement cafe. By 1920 the building was used by FW Woolworth & Co. Percy Robinson also designed Nos 4 (qv), 6 & 8 (not included) Duncan Street and Armley Public Library, Stocks Hill (qv). (Kelly's Directory: 1908-: XXXI).

Listing NGR: SE3026033484