County Hall (Offices Of West Yorkshire County Council)

County Hall, the offices of West Yorkshire County Council, was built between 1894 and 1898 by architects Gibson and Russell, with additions made in 1912 and 1915. This large and imposing building features an Art Nouveau style with Italian decorative qualities. It is constructed from high-quality Grindleford stone ashlar, richly carved with heraldic and symbolic designs by W. Birnie Rhind of Edinburgh, who also created the interior sculptures.

The main front elevation consists of a central section with four wide bays. The upper floors are stepped back and feature round-headed windows with stained glass by W. Smith of London. The second-floor windows are arranged within an order, while the first floor has an arcaded design. The projecting end sections are topped with scrolled, stepped, pedimented gables that contain three or four closely set windows. To the north, there is a set-back three-window section with a doorway in the angle and an octagonal corner turret topped with a spire. To the south, a set-back canted link leads to a five-storey hexagonal tower, which is adorned with freestanding columns beneath a stone dome.

The shorter elevation facing Cliff Parade also features three decorative gables, while the long rear elevation consists of 18 wide bays, roughly divided into three by projecting gabled bays. Here, the second floor is arcaded, the first floor has an entablature with window pilasters, and the ground floor showcases wide round arches whose mouldings blend into the jambs.

Inside, the building is exceptionally rich and showcases splendid craftsmanship. The staircase is made of Hoptonwood stone, and the Council Chamber is lined with Northumberland stone and mahogany panelling, with additional use of sequoia and oak. The light fittings and switch plates are made from various metals, specially designed and differing from room to room. The Council Chamber features extensive sculpture, and in the ante-room, there is a large polychrome relief plaster frieze depicting scenes from the Wars of the Roses, created by C. Fehr of London. Throughout the building, there are many inlaid marble floors and extensive hardwood panelling.