LEEDS POST OFFICE (1896)
City Square
Postcard view
Photograph © David Dixon via Geograph and licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence
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Architect Henry Tanner Year: 1896 (?1912 additions, architect Walter Pott)(?1925 alterations and additions, architect Henry Rees) Listed building status: Grade II Archive sources British Postal Museum & Archive: POST 91/856-858, 1563-1573 National Archives: WORK 13/453 (?1912 additions), 869 (?1925 alterations and additions), 30/3093-3109, 69/6 (photograph) Selected bibliographical references Builder 1896 (2), p. 506 (illustration) Building News 24 Jul 1891, p. 127 (criticism of designs); 4 Mar 1892, p. 335 (+ illustration) Leeds Mercury 26 Apr 1895, p. 7 (on electrical equipment); 10 Jan 1896, p. 8 Leeds Times 2 May 1891, p. 4 Yorkshire Gazette 16 Jan 1892 , p. 3 Yorkshire Evening Post 25 Mar 1891, p. 3; 11 July 1891, p. 3 (illustration); 20 May 1893, p. 3 History Opened: Apr 1896 Closed Current use: Restaurants/residential accommodation |
Building description
From: Leeds Mercury 10 January 1896, p. 8
“The new General Post-office for Leeds is at length all but complete. Its erection has been a protracted work, having been begun in February, 1892. Government contracts are seldom hurried. One of the canons of the Board of Works seems to demand that every- thing under its control shall be done with deliberation and minute supervision, so that good work, strictly in accordance with specifications, may be secured. Such has been the procedure in this instance, and so far as the durable character of the structure is concerned, no fault is at least discernible. The new Post-office overlooking City-square is a stately stone pile, severely plain externally, excepting in front, and here, too, the architect has evidently thought it desirable not to put surrounding buildings to the blush by anything like a lavish adornment. And yet the facade has attractive features, chaste, and in harmony with the general design. The most conspicuous are the two public entrances, surmounted by classic female figures. Then there are the large bay windows which also relieve the plainness; whilst the row of female figures in the middle of the third story lend dignity and beauty. There is one blot, and that is the clock-tower in the centre. This is out of harmony with the general scheme, and of insignificant proportions. It may be remembered that the original design provoked a good deal of adverse criticism, that it was felt that one of the principal public buildings, for which the city had at great cost made one of its best sites available, ought to present a more attractive and commanding aspect; and that a deputation waited upon the Government Department and made known the local dissatisfaction. In deference to this feeling it was agreed that there should be a tower and some additional ornament. At the same time it must have been determined by the Department that no great addition should be made to the proposed expenditure. As indicated, the ornamental features are few, and the tower is certainly not calculated to satisfy local ambition. It is too palpably an afterthought, and not a generous one, and the opinion of most citizens probably is that if, some- thing more worthy of the city, and also of the building, could not be granted, it would have been better to have left it alone. This is all the more to be regretted because the situation is in the heart of the city, and there is little doubt that in time the vicinity will be very- different from what it is at present. The new Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Leeds and County Liberal Club may reasonably be regarded as suggestions of what the surroundings of City-square will become; and as additions are made comparisons can hardly be flattering to the national institution, which, though large and substantial, does not- greatly enhance the architectural beauty of the city. In other respects the new post-office is probably all that could be desired. It will contribute in no small degree to the public convenience, and materially facilitate the business of the various departments for which accommodation has been provided within its walls. To the staffs engaged it will afford long-needed relief. The erection of a new and more commodious place has been an absolute necessity for years past. The rapid growth of the city has entailed a vast increase in the Government business, quite apart from the recent development of the postal system, and it goes without saying that the premises in Park-row, which were not more than adequate thirty years ago, have been sadly deficient in later years, despite all the attempts to provide more room- Not only have the staffs, both postal and telegraphic, been cramped for space, but the hygienic conditions in their quarters have been none too good. The change must be very agreeable, for nothing has been spared within the new building in order that the general well-being of the service may be secured. Internally everything that ingenuity' and experience could devise to facilitate the work, add to the comfort, and safeguard the health of the departments seems to have been supplied. To the public also no small advantage will accrue, for it is scarcely necessary to say that, in addition to the easier access and greater space provided for the transaction of business, it is no small gain to have all the Government offices under one roof-postal (letter and parcel), telegraphic, and inland revenue- instead of being inconveniently separated as they have been hitherto. Accommodation for the local telegraph engineering staff, and for the telegraph school, is like-wise provided within the walls. The free approach to the new building is also worthy of consideration. Before referring to the improved accommodation for the various staffs, attention may be directed to the more commodious arrangements for the transaction of public business. The two principal entrances in front before-mentioned give access to a large, well-lighted, and conveniently arranged office, where all business relating to letters, telegrams, stamps, money orders, &c., will be done. A few yards from the entrance nearest Quebec-street are the several apertures for the posting of letters, newspapers, &c.-a very convenient location, being close to the aforesaid public office, and also to the letter-sorting department, which is immediately behind. That is to say, that the posted letters or other missives will fall into receptacles in what may be railed a well at one of the sorting office, and, when occasion may require, will be "stamped" on the spot. The parcels office is on the Infirmary-street side of the building, and there all the accommodation which the public require is to be found. This is, of course, in direct communication with the parcel sorting department, which occupies a very large part of the ground floor space at the rear. Next door to the parcels office is the Inland Revenue offices, which form a commodious suite. These two latter departments were first completed, and they have been occupied for a couple of -months or more -with advantage to the service. The Postmaster's office, the Chief Clerk's office, with offices attached, are situated in the front, but entered from Infirmary-street. At the opposite corner, in the Quebec-street side, is the office for the receipt and delivery of the letters of business and other establishments having private boxes. The messengers who bring and take away the private post-bags will thus be kept apart from the general public. This will doubtless be more convenient than the old arrangement, that tended to the crowding of the public office. On two floors above the public office are the suites of offices required by the administrative departments, and over these is the telegraphic department, occupying the top storey in front. The instrument-room is a very large apartment, about 200 ft long and some 4O ft broad, extending across the entire width of the building. It is well lighted, not only from its semi-circular roof, but also from the front and back. To obtain as much daylight as practicable has been the judicious aim of the architect throughout, and he has in large measure achieved his purpose by- a quadrangle in the centre and the use of white glazed bricks. In such a. very extensive structure, the open quadrangle was essential, and it not only affords considerably more light than could otherwise have been secured, but it has made it l possible to obtain a superior sanitary arrangement by locating there what would not have conduced to the health of the establishment if placed within its walls. The letter-sorting office is also a very large room, being, like the telegraph-room, about 200ft. long and 40Oft 'broad. It extends the full length on the Quebec-street side, where, for the greater part, the building is only of one storey. This contrasts with the higher-elevation on the Infirmary-street side, but the disproportion may be corrected in years to come should still more accommodation be needed. In the meantime it enables the quadrangle in the centre to afford more light. The letter and parcel sorting departments have, of course, lose relations, and the latter (situated, as already stated, at the back of the building) opens into the rear portion of the former, so that parcels coming in the mail bags may be readily transferred from the one room to the other. As in all other parts, the racks, tables, and other fittings in these two important sections are new, and of the most approved design. All is arranged so that the stamping, sorting, despatching, &c., may be conducted with the greatest facility. Considering this and the extensive floor space, the work should be done with the maximum of ease and comfort. In the parcel department much room is occupied by the large hampers in which the parcels are packed, but to obviate any difficulty that might arise from that cause, a lift is provided by which the baskets not in use may very readily be sent to the store-room in the basement. Both the letter-sorting and parcel departments have openings into the large yard forming the rear portion of the premises, where the mails will be received and despatched. The yard has a glass roof, and the loading and unloading of the vans at the platform provided for the purpose will be accomplished without exposure to the weather. A as already suggested, care has been taken to provide ample light during the day in almost every part of the building. At night there will be a very complete illumination by electricity, which will be the only artificial light used. There are in all some thirty-six arc lamps (these being placed in the letter and parcel sorting rooms, in the telegraph room, and in the public office), and 5650 glow lamps, chiefly of 25-candle power. Electricity is also used for a variety of other purposes. The hoists (one at each corner of the building) connecting the different floors are worked by it; so, too, are the vacuum and pressure pumps by which telegraph messages will be sent from one part of the building to another. Even the wax used for sealing the mail bags and hampers is melted by the electric current, all of which is produced by the powerful dynamos located in the basement. There, too, are the engines, the exhaust steam from which is used for heating the larger rooms, whilst it also serves a useful purpose in the kitchens, which will provide meals for the various staffs. For the serving of these there are spacious mess-rooms, and adjoining them, lavatories. The meals will be supplied at a cheap rate. For example, the charge for dinner, consisting of joint, vegetables, bread, and pudding, will only be sixpence. Regard has thus been had for the comfort and convenience of the staffs, which number about 1,000, whilst nothing requisite for the efficiency of the service within the great building appears to have been neglected.
“The new General Post-office for Leeds is at length all but complete. Its erection has been a protracted work, having been begun in February, 1892. Government contracts are seldom hurried. One of the canons of the Board of Works seems to demand that every- thing under its control shall be done with deliberation and minute supervision, so that good work, strictly in accordance with specifications, may be secured. Such has been the procedure in this instance, and so far as the durable character of the structure is concerned, no fault is at least discernible. The new Post-office overlooking City-square is a stately stone pile, severely plain externally, excepting in front, and here, too, the architect has evidently thought it desirable not to put surrounding buildings to the blush by anything like a lavish adornment. And yet the facade has attractive features, chaste, and in harmony with the general design. The most conspicuous are the two public entrances, surmounted by classic female figures. Then there are the large bay windows which also relieve the plainness; whilst the row of female figures in the middle of the third story lend dignity and beauty. There is one blot, and that is the clock-tower in the centre. This is out of harmony with the general scheme, and of insignificant proportions. It may be remembered that the original design provoked a good deal of adverse criticism, that it was felt that one of the principal public buildings, for which the city had at great cost made one of its best sites available, ought to present a more attractive and commanding aspect; and that a deputation waited upon the Government Department and made known the local dissatisfaction. In deference to this feeling it was agreed that there should be a tower and some additional ornament. At the same time it must have been determined by the Department that no great addition should be made to the proposed expenditure. As indicated, the ornamental features are few, and the tower is certainly not calculated to satisfy local ambition. It is too palpably an afterthought, and not a generous one, and the opinion of most citizens probably is that if, some- thing more worthy of the city, and also of the building, could not be granted, it would have been better to have left it alone. This is all the more to be regretted because the situation is in the heart of the city, and there is little doubt that in time the vicinity will be very- different from what it is at present. The new Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Leeds and County Liberal Club may reasonably be regarded as suggestions of what the surroundings of City-square will become; and as additions are made comparisons can hardly be flattering to the national institution, which, though large and substantial, does not- greatly enhance the architectural beauty of the city. In other respects the new post-office is probably all that could be desired. It will contribute in no small degree to the public convenience, and materially facilitate the business of the various departments for which accommodation has been provided within its walls. To the staffs engaged it will afford long-needed relief. The erection of a new and more commodious place has been an absolute necessity for years past. The rapid growth of the city has entailed a vast increase in the Government business, quite apart from the recent development of the postal system, and it goes without saying that the premises in Park-row, which were not more than adequate thirty years ago, have been sadly deficient in later years, despite all the attempts to provide more room- Not only have the staffs, both postal and telegraphic, been cramped for space, but the hygienic conditions in their quarters have been none too good. The change must be very agreeable, for nothing has been spared within the new building in order that the general well-being of the service may be secured. Internally everything that ingenuity' and experience could devise to facilitate the work, add to the comfort, and safeguard the health of the departments seems to have been supplied. To the public also no small advantage will accrue, for it is scarcely necessary to say that, in addition to the easier access and greater space provided for the transaction of business, it is no small gain to have all the Government offices under one roof-postal (letter and parcel), telegraphic, and inland revenue- instead of being inconveniently separated as they have been hitherto. Accommodation for the local telegraph engineering staff, and for the telegraph school, is like-wise provided within the walls. The free approach to the new building is also worthy of consideration. Before referring to the improved accommodation for the various staffs, attention may be directed to the more commodious arrangements for the transaction of public business. The two principal entrances in front before-mentioned give access to a large, well-lighted, and conveniently arranged office, where all business relating to letters, telegrams, stamps, money orders, &c., will be done. A few yards from the entrance nearest Quebec-street are the several apertures for the posting of letters, newspapers, &c.-a very convenient location, being close to the aforesaid public office, and also to the letter-sorting department, which is immediately behind. That is to say, that the posted letters or other missives will fall into receptacles in what may be railed a well at one of the sorting office, and, when occasion may require, will be "stamped" on the spot. The parcels office is on the Infirmary-street side of the building, and there all the accommodation which the public require is to be found. This is, of course, in direct communication with the parcel sorting department, which occupies a very large part of the ground floor space at the rear. Next door to the parcels office is the Inland Revenue offices, which form a commodious suite. These two latter departments were first completed, and they have been occupied for a couple of -months or more -with advantage to the service. The Postmaster's office, the Chief Clerk's office, with offices attached, are situated in the front, but entered from Infirmary-street. At the opposite corner, in the Quebec-street side, is the office for the receipt and delivery of the letters of business and other establishments having private boxes. The messengers who bring and take away the private post-bags will thus be kept apart from the general public. This will doubtless be more convenient than the old arrangement, that tended to the crowding of the public office. On two floors above the public office are the suites of offices required by the administrative departments, and over these is the telegraphic department, occupying the top storey in front. The instrument-room is a very large apartment, about 200 ft long and some 4O ft broad, extending across the entire width of the building. It is well lighted, not only from its semi-circular roof, but also from the front and back. To obtain as much daylight as practicable has been the judicious aim of the architect throughout, and he has in large measure achieved his purpose by- a quadrangle in the centre and the use of white glazed bricks. In such a. very extensive structure, the open quadrangle was essential, and it not only affords considerably more light than could otherwise have been secured, but it has made it l possible to obtain a superior sanitary arrangement by locating there what would not have conduced to the health of the establishment if placed within its walls. The letter-sorting office is also a very large room, being, like the telegraph-room, about 200ft. long and 40Oft 'broad. It extends the full length on the Quebec-street side, where, for the greater part, the building is only of one storey. This contrasts with the higher-elevation on the Infirmary-street side, but the disproportion may be corrected in years to come should still more accommodation be needed. In the meantime it enables the quadrangle in the centre to afford more light. The letter and parcel sorting departments have, of course, lose relations, and the latter (situated, as already stated, at the back of the building) opens into the rear portion of the former, so that parcels coming in the mail bags may be readily transferred from the one room to the other. As in all other parts, the racks, tables, and other fittings in these two important sections are new, and of the most approved design. All is arranged so that the stamping, sorting, despatching, &c., may be conducted with the greatest facility. Considering this and the extensive floor space, the work should be done with the maximum of ease and comfort. In the parcel department much room is occupied by the large hampers in which the parcels are packed, but to obviate any difficulty that might arise from that cause, a lift is provided by which the baskets not in use may very readily be sent to the store-room in the basement. Both the letter-sorting and parcel departments have openings into the large yard forming the rear portion of the premises, where the mails will be received and despatched. The yard has a glass roof, and the loading and unloading of the vans at the platform provided for the purpose will be accomplished without exposure to the weather. A as already suggested, care has been taken to provide ample light during the day in almost every part of the building. At night there will be a very complete illumination by electricity, which will be the only artificial light used. There are in all some thirty-six arc lamps (these being placed in the letter and parcel sorting rooms, in the telegraph room, and in the public office), and 5650 glow lamps, chiefly of 25-candle power. Electricity is also used for a variety of other purposes. The hoists (one at each corner of the building) connecting the different floors are worked by it; so, too, are the vacuum and pressure pumps by which telegraph messages will be sent from one part of the building to another. Even the wax used for sealing the mail bags and hampers is melted by the electric current, all of which is produced by the powerful dynamos located in the basement. There, too, are the engines, the exhaust steam from which is used for heating the larger rooms, whilst it also serves a useful purpose in the kitchens, which will provide meals for the various staffs. For the serving of these there are spacious mess-rooms, and adjoining them, lavatories. The meals will be supplied at a cheap rate. For example, the charge for dinner, consisting of joint, vegetables, bread, and pudding, will only be sixpence. Regard has thus been had for the comfort and convenience of the staffs, which number about 1,000, whilst nothing requisite for the efficiency of the service within the great building appears to have been neglected.
