Numbers 1-43 And Cross Arcade

Numbers 1-43 and Cross Arcade comprise two arcades with shops and offices, built between 1898 and 1900 and restored in 1989-90. They were designed by Frank Matcham for the Leeds Estates Company Development. The structures are situated on Queen Victoria Street, and incorporate numbers 98-103 Briggate, numbers 65-69 Vicar Lane, and a Cross Arcade entrance between numbers 24 and 26 on the Queen Victoria Street return.

The arcades are constructed of pink brick and Burmantofts terracotta, with cast-iron detailing, a slate and lead roof. They rise three storeys with an attic, featuring seven bays to Briggate and five bays to Vicar Lane; bay 4 on each facade is a round-arched arcade entrance. Shops in a matching style are present on the Queen Victoria Street return. The facades are freely styled and richly decorated with moulded terracotta tiles depicting swags, strapwork scrolls, and plaques. The ground-floor windows were restored in 1989-90, and large 3-light shop windows are visible on the first floor. Sash windows are found on the second floor, and the elaborate attic incorporates Dutch gables and corner towers. The arcade entrances have ornate wrought-iron overthrow details displaying “1900/ County Arcade” and “1900/ Cross Arcade,” with the date and words repeated in terracotta above ribbons and swag on the Vicar Lane facade.

The interior displays the same style with even more elaborate detailing than the exterior. It is arranged as a T-plan, with a short access arm (Cross Arcade) opening onto Queen Victoria Street. The roof is supported by ornate cast-iron segmental-arched trusses. First-floor balconies feature elaborate cast-iron balustrades and stone ball finials, supported on Sienna marble columns and pilasters between shop fronts with curved glass windows. There are three glazed domes with mosaics in the pendentives; those at the east and west ends depict female heads representing 'Liberty', 'Peace', 'Commerce', 'Justice', etc., while the dome over the crossing showcases full figures related to local industries, including textiles. A late 20th century restoration included new flooring featuring a circular mosaic with fruit and flower motifs by J Veevers, reconstruction of marble pilasters (in artificial materials), two bridges across the arcade at the east end and south branch, and updated lighting.

The arcades contribute to a broader design by Frank Matcham to rebuild part of the city’s oldest district. Matcham, known for designing music halls and theatres, seemingly drew inspiration for the central dome from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan (1865). This represents a particularly ornate example of a characteristic Leeds architectural style that evolved from the early 19th century practice of glazing rear yards, with Thornton's Arcade (1877-78) being the initial example.