The Town Hall

SE2627NW LS27 QUEEN STREET MORLEY (west side)

8/36 The Town Hall 12.3.80

GV I

Town hall. 1892-5 by G. A. Fox. Sandstone ashlar, lead roof. Classical style with Baroque domed tower. 2 storeys and basement. 13-bay symmetrical facade (5:3:5). Rusticated basement with channelled stone supports a giant Composite order with freestanding columns in antis except at corners which break forward with pilasters. Centre of 3 wider bays breaks forward to form a Composite hexastyle portico with full entablature; wide flight of steps leads to main door with wrought-iron gates and overdoor with Venetian window above; deeply-moulded pediment, the tympanum with sculpture of justice seeking advice from the good Queen, surrounded by figures of Industries and Useful Arts. Flanking balustraded parapets. 3-stage central tower: rusticated base, main bell stage with round- arched openings with balcony under, balustraded parapet with paired urns to corners and short domed pinnacles, set-back pedimented clock stage supporting a dome with tiny upper dome on drum above. Left-hand return of 5:4:5 bays (ABC); bays A and C set forward. Tall arched windows to upper floors with keystones and impost band articulated by Composite pilasters. Bay C has Greek key band and doorway with consoles and cornice. Balustraded parapet. Right-hand return of 5:5:4 bays left-hand bay set forward with composite columns, 3 tall first floor windows, rose medallion, Greek key bands and doorway with consoles and cornice. Interior: main entrance hall has grand stone staircase with wrought-iron balustrade and red marble columns, stained glass windows representing the professions; also an ornamental plaster ceiling. This leads to several large and well-finished rooms, with decorated plaster ceilings, some coved; all having raised borders in varying patterns with different decora- tive motifs. Chief of these rooms, the Alexandra Concert Hall with gallery round 3 sides, stone architraves and more stained glass windows. The Council chamber, mayor's parlour and banqueting suite have oak wainscoted panelling and large carved fireplaces, good door and window woodwork. The magistrates' court, also wainscoted, is plainer but relieved by a larger rear pyramidal rooflight.

A fine although late C19 town hall by a local architect incorporating several features from other earlier West Riding town halls. Prominent within the town, the tower being a notable landmark. 2

Listing NGR: SE2633527783