SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The photo shows a building I came across during a walkaround on August 11 2011. It looked like an interesting building so I took some photos. It is located at the junction of High Court and Church Row next to the Parish Church.I looked up the Old Maps UK website and found there were buildings at the site in the 1850 map but there were no names nor indication what they might have been used as. That was the same in the 1891; 1893; 1908; 1910; 1921 maps. The 1964-1968 1:2,500 map did give it as number 1 on Church Row. Seeing that it is "For Sale. Freehold Redevelopment Opportunity" I looked up the GVA website and in its sale description it states "The subject site comprises a freehold redevelopment opportunity containing Kirkgate House, 1,2,3,4 & 5 Church Row and an infill plot/garden area binding the eastern edge of the site. No.1 Church Row is Grade II listed and is situated in a mixed use area of Leeds City Centre". From elsewhere I found that Grade 2 listed buildings are "Particularly important buildings of exceptional interest and of outstanding importance".It does seem to be in disrepair and needing attention but if it can be conserved then it will save this old building.

This is another view of the building that I took on August 11 2011.

    4th December 1963 On the far left of the image is Kirkgate House at number 6 Church Row. Here are a row of four terraced houses numbers 2 - 5. At the corner with High Court is number 1 Church Row home to Davisworth & Co Sign. A sign on the left of this building shows the way to Leeds Council of Social Services and Citizens Advice Bureau located in Kirkgate House.        

That is excellent Phill and much appreciated. The row of less tall buildings to the left have clearly been demolished since the 1963 photo.

Leodian wrote: That is excellent Phill and much appreciated. The row of less tall buildings to the left have clearly been demolished since the 1963 photo. That place has been derelict for a long time, it's a shame because it's a very old survivor of that part of Leeds.

Hoping that I am not thought to be posting too many photos here but I thought I would post this one (and one more in my next post).

This is the last photo I am adding to this thread. They have all been resized so as to be small enough file size for use on SL but as a result their definition has been reduced. I hope they are of interest.

The interesting thing about this building is that they are the last Georgian workers cottages in Leeds. Not entirely significant in itself, but when you think about the fact that they were built for the influx of workers in the late 18th century to Leeds as part of the industrial revolution they are important. These are a significant part of Leeds' heritage and I'm not sure a small museum would be inappropriate here detailing the history of the area (perhaps a place for some skulls somewhere maybe ) It's a shame if they were to go, think of the amount of people that have lived here originally and the squalor that thy must have had to endure.

Phill_dvsn wrote: [img]4th December 1963 On the far left of the image is Kirkgate House at number 6 Church Row. Here are a row of four terraced houses numbers 2 - 5. At the corner with High Court is number 1 Church Row home to Davisworth & Co Sign. A sign on the left of this building shows the way to Leeds Council of Social Services and Citizens Advice Bureau located in Kirkgate House.         Another great "then and now", Phill!        

Hi Si.I can't take credit for it though the top photos is Leodians, and I swiped the archive photo and text from Leodis, but thanks anyway