Temple Works
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Temple Works is a former flax mill in Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was built by John Marshall between 1836 and 1840.
Temple Works was based on the Temple of Edfu at Horus in Egypt with a chimney designed in the style of an obelisk. Marshall's inspiration for the design of Temple Works was his interest in Egyptology. When it was built it was said that Temple Works was the biggest single room in the world.
One extremely unusual feature of the Temple Works building is the fact that sheep used to graze on the grass-covered roof. This served the purpose of retaining humidity in the flax mill in order to prevent the linen thread from becoming dried out and unmanageable.
Temple Works is the only Grade 1 listed building in Holbeck.
A planning application dated July 2005 proposes to partly demolish, refurbish, and extend the mill to form a retail centre, offices, cafes, 75 flats and parking.
