Old Bank House

The Old Bank House is a three-story brick building in Hartshead featuring five bays with a projecting central section marked by large pilasters at the corners and center. The facade displays classical proportions with evenly spaced window openings across all levels.

A Quaker merchant named Nicholas Broadbent built this brick structure in 1728 as one of the first of its kind in Sheffield. The construction was a turning point for the city, demonstrating that brick was a practical and respectable building material.

The building marked a turning point in how Sheffield was constructed, showing that brick could be used for important structures in the city. Many buildings that came after followed this example, making brick the common choice for new construction.

The building currently houses law chambers and is not open to the public as a museum space. Visitors can appreciate the external architecture and details from the street, particularly the distinctive pilasters and balanced proportions of the facade.

A passageway called St Peter's Close runs directly through the ground floor of the left section, creating an unusual architectural solution. This arrangement shows how the building was designed around an existing route rather than blocking it.

Location: Sheffield

GPS coordinates: 53.38400,-1.46800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21