James Graham Hall Leeds Metropolitan University

LEEDS

SE23NE BECKETT PARK, Beckett Park 714-1/6/516 James Graham Hall, Leeds Metropolitan University

GV II

Also known as: Carnegie College BECKETT PARK Beckett Park. The main building of the former City of Leeds Training College, now Leeds Metropolitan University. 1911. By GW Atkinson. Red brick, gritstone ashlar dressings, slate and lead roof. A double courtyard plan with central main hall; 3 storeys, 5 unequal bays with 5,11,7,11,5 first-floor windows. In a 'Wrennaissance' Revival style. The outer and central bays project and their central 3-window sections break forward slightly with pilasters and pediments. Central panelled double doors, fine bronze hinges, handles, with overlight in porch with Leeds coat of arms under a pedimented hood supported on Ionic columns; 4 Corinthian columns support triangular pediment above. Flanking bays: the ground floor stepped out, round-headed windows with circular pivoted lights, carved stone swags, keystones, parapet coping and urns, 4th and 8th windows on 1st and 2nd floors in stone panels; outer bays have 3-part windows, in stone architraves to ground and 2nd floors. Small-pane sashes or casements throughout, segmental arches to 1st and flat heads to 2nd floor. Deep stone cornice, moulded blocking course over central and outer bays. Original rainwater drain pipes with moulded heads including date. Other facades similar with projecting corner bays; the parapets built up as blind walls to added 3rd storey. Courtyards: the west infilled with library stacks; the east unaltered with finely detailed facades including glazed corridor on ground floor with round-arched windows but rectangular casements in round-arched recesses with central pedimented 6-panel door to hall facade, parapet with urns above; round and segmental arches to 1st floor, round windows in architraves to 2nd floor. INTERIOR: an inner wooden entrance screen with fluted pilasters and margin lights, doors replaced; stone flagged floors, staircase hall with stone divided stairs, ashlar screen walls with oval piercing in architraves with scrolls and ram's head keystones; Tuscan columns to 1st floor. The central wing is the James Graham lecture hall: panelled walls, pilasters, arched plaster ceiling, rear gallery with balustrades, half-glazed double doors. The design was winner of a competition limited to Leeds

architects, assessed by Sir Aston Webb, based on guidance prepared by F Broadbent and James Graham. The architect worked with Reginald Blomfeld on The Headrow scheme in Leeds from 1924. Additions to this complex were by G Alan Burnett and Partners. The college was used as a hospital during the First World War. (The Builder, 15 January 1910: 61-64).

Listing NGR: SE2686636873