Leeds Corn Exchange

Leeds Corn Exchange

Photograph of a large stone building with an oval footprint and a domed roof. The main entrance lies behind four large arches and underneath a clock. Numerous arched windows lie on two levels all around the building.

Leeds Corn Exchange
General information
Architectural style Victorian
Location Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Completed 1864
Renovated 1990, 2008
Design and construction
Architect Cuthbert Brodrick

The Leeds Corn Exchange is a Victorian building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and completed in 1864.

Corn exchange

Designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, a Hull architect best known for Leeds Town Hall, this Grade I listed structure was completed in 1862 and opened on 28 July 1863. The dome design was based on that of the Bourse de commerce of Paris by François-Joseph Bélanger and François Brunet, completed in 1811.[1] Leeds Corn Exchange is now just one of three corn exchanges in the country which operates in its traditional capacity as a centre for trade, albeit no longer for trading in corn.

After closing, its condition deteriorated. Early proposals for regeneration included turning it into a concert hall similar to the Royal Albert Hall.

1980s conversion

View of the west end of the interior in 2005

In 1985, Speciality Shops plc won the contract to re-develop the Corn Exchange as a shopping centre. The refurbishment designed by Alsop & Lyall restored it and added staircases to allow access to the balcony and basement levels. It opened for trade in 1990. Many other buildings have been restored in the area, now known as the Exchange Quarter.

As well as housing shops such as Ark Clothing, and Eva (jewellery), the Leeds Corn Exchange hosted exhibitions, events such as strut (fashion show) and music events. Most shops sold alternate merchandise and it became a well-known congregation point for alternative people.

2007 restoration

View from the balcony, of the east end of the interior in November 2010

In November 2007 it was revealed that the centre (which was being refurbished after being taken over by Zurich Financial Services) was to be converted into a food emporium. The plans brought protests from the independent traders, who were removed from the Corn Exchange, and their customers.

After the restoration the Corn Exchange re-opened in November 2008 as a boutique shopping centre for independent retailers. The 13,200-square-foot (1,230 m2) ground level was occupied by Piazza by Anthony until its sudden closure in June 2013.[2] The upper levels are home to a number of retailers.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bourse de Commerce". Structurae (in French). Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  2. ↑ Bowyer, Laura (22 June 2013), "Dining dismay after acclaimed Leeds restaurants shut", The Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds, retrieved 25 June 2013

Coordinates: 53°47′45″N 1°32′25″W / 53.7959°N 1.5402°W / 53.7959; -1.5402

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