Favourite Leeds Building

Si · Post by Si » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 3:25 pm

Brodrick's Leeds Mechanics Institute, now the museum, is one of my favourites. I like it's solidity and intimidating presence. It's really "planted" in the ground, held down by that heavy, windowless top storey . I used to work opposite, and it was the view from my desk for two years. I also had an interview in 1977 at what was Jacob Kramer art school round the back, but I didn't get in. 1950 photo from Leodis.

PC - Dublin · Post by **PC - Dublin** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 3:39 pm

then and now!!

Si · Post by Si » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 3:50 pm

I wonder what happened to the two "sheds" either end of the roof?

Si · Post by Si » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 3:56 pm

Here's an early engraving, showing the sheds more clearly, though they can be seen in the 1950 shot. Also note the "truncated pyramid" on the roof was not quite as "Masonic" when designed as LeonardHenry would like to us think!

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 4:00 pm

Artists impressions of new buildings off plan have never been accurate.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 4:11 pm

No, I'm wrong the pyramid has been altered and there were roof lights. Of course this just shows the great scheme for Leeds is ongoing and alive. they still walk among us!http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 4:13 pm

Just to confuse matters it looks like it's been messed around a bit:http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

Si · Post by Si » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 4:32 pm

Yes, very odd Cardi. The old engraving shows the pyramid, the 1950 pic shows a ballustrade, the 1970s one shows the pyramid's back, and the modern shot is back to a ballustrade. Very strange... I don't think the photos are dated wrong, as the 1950 pic has tramlines, and the 70s pic has cars designed after the 50s (Cortina Mk 1, etc.)PS Your "off-plan" comment reminded me of a cartoon I once saw entitled, "Great Pyramid of Giza - artist's impression." The drawing was of a huge stone cube.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 7:53 pm

Neither have their cost estimates!

.Slightly off thread but look in the paper today and see how far out the costs were on how much the winter olympics cost and also how far out they were on inward tourist investment....

PC - Dublin · Post by **PC - Dublin** » Wed 17 Feb, 2010 11:18 pm

used to be a bank... now a disco bar