Leeds Civic Hall, Municipal administrative center in Leeds, United Kingdom
Leeds Civic Hall is a municipal administrative building in Portland stone featuring two 170-foot towers topped with golden owls and a main facade with six Corinthian columns. The building houses council offices, a three-tiered council chamber located below the entrance level, and a banqueting hall used for municipal events and ceremonies.
The city council relocated to this building in 1933, moving from the older Town Hall after construction was completed during the economic depression of the 1930s. The timing of the construction represented the city's commitment to modernizing its civic presence despite the economic challenges of that period.
Inside, you find marble-lined halls, custom-made Wilton carpets, and stained glass windows created by George Kruger Gray. An elliptical candelabrum holding 99 light bulbs demonstrates the careful attention given to the building's interior design.
The building is accessible to visitors during normal business hours, though some areas may be limited since it functions as an active workplace. It helps to check ahead about public events or guided tours to find the best times for exploring the interior spaces.
Four golden owls perch on top of the building's twin towers, derived from the seal of Leeds's first alderman and covered in gold leaf. These sculptures form one of the most striking external features when viewing the building from a distance.
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