James Graham Hall Leeds Metropolitan University

James Graham Hall, part of Leeds Metropolitan University (formerly the City of Leeds Training College), is a substantial building dating from 1911, designed by G.W. Atkinson. Constructed of red brick with gritstone ashlar dressings, it features a slate and lead roof. The building is arranged around a double courtyard plan with a central main hall. It has three storeys and five unequal bays, accommodating 5, 11, 7, 11, and 5 first-floor windows respectively. The design reflects a "Wrennaissance" Revival style.

The outer and central bays project forward, with the central three-window sections of those bays slightly advanced, incorporating pilasters and pediments. The main entrance features panelled double doors with fine bronze hinges and handles, an overlight displaying the Leeds coat of arms within a porch beneath a pedimented hood supported by Ionic columns. Four Corinthian columns support a triangular pediment above the entrance. Ground-floor windows in the flanking bays are stepped out and have round-headed arches with pivoting circular lights, decorated with carved stone swags, keystones, parapet coping, and urns. Stone panel inserts are located above the fourth and eighth windows on the first and second floors, while the outer bays feature three-part windows within stone architraves on the ground and second floors. Small-pane sashes or casements are used throughout, with segmental arches over first-floor windows and flat heads to second-floor windows. A deep stone cornice and moulded blocking course accentuate the central and outer bays. Original rainwater drain pipes featuring moulded heads, including the date, are still present.

The other facades are similar, with projecting corner bays. Parapets have been raised to accommodate an added third storey. The west courtyard has been infilled with library stacks, while the east courtyard remains largely unaltered, displaying finely detailed facades. This includes a glazed corridor on the ground floor and a facade with round-arched windows positioned within rectangular casement recesses. A central pedimented six-panel door provides access to the hall facade, topped by a parapet with urns. Round and segmental arches appear on the first floor, while round windows are set within architraves on the second floor.

The interior features an inner wooden entrance screen with fluted pilasters and margin lights; the doors have been replaced. Stone-flagged floors and a staircase hall with stone divided stairs are present, alongside ashlar screen walls with an oval piercing within architraves, decorated with scrolls and ram’s head keystones. Tuscan columns provide support on the first floor. The central wing houses the James Graham lecture hall, which incorporates panelled walls, pilasters, an arched plaster ceiling, a rear gallery with balustrades, and half-glazed double doors.

The design was awarded first place in a competition open to Leeds architects, judged by Sir Aston Webb, with guidance prepared by F. Broadbent and James Graham. G.W. Atkinson collaborated with Reginald Blomfeld on The Headrow scheme in Leeds from 1924. Later additions to the complex were designed by G. Alan Burnett and Partners. The college served as a hospital during the First World War.