Leicester Central Library

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment 23/11/2020

SK 5804 SE 3/216

BISHOP STREET Leicester Central Library

(Formerly listed as Reference Library)

GV II Dated 1904 Edward Burgess architect. Two tall storeys (part three storeys), attics and basement. Large red brick building with ashlar dressings. Mannered classical details. Tiled hipped roof. Modillion eaves cornice. Moulded string course. Ends project with quoined angles. Centre five large windows in moulded shouldered architraves with sill aprons, ground floor have segmental arches, first floor have alternating segmental and triangular broken pediments containing cartouche. Projecting left ashlar ground floor with two round arches. Ionic pilasters and entablature above two windows in moulded architraves with segmental pediments to first floor and round arch niche at centre, ashlar segmental pedimented dormer, small circular domed turret corbelled in angle of central recess. Right-hand projection, large first floor ashlar open pedimented window with Ionic pilasters and round-arch window with keyblock, altered segmental arch window below. Including basement area railings with arrow-head shafts and openwork iron stranchions.

Elevation facing Bowling Green Street, two storeys seven windows, irregular, but with similar details, and small domed turret, ashlar plinth.

All the listed buildings in Bishop Street together with The Town Hall, Fountain and War Memorial, Town Hall Square, and Nos 6-8, The Royal Hotel, Nos 17, 19 and 21 Horsefair Street form a group around Town Hall Square.

Listing NGR: SK5881704266