History

Built in 1878 as a warehouse and cloth cutting works for Sir John Barran, 1st Baronet

Sir John Barran, 1st Baronet

Sir John Barran, 1st Baronet was a British clothing manufacturer and Liberal Party politician.Barran was the son of John Barran and his wife Elizabeth , and founded the firm of John Barran and Sons, clothing manufacturers, of Leeds...

 this is a Grade II* listed building. It stands in Park Square, Leeds

Park Square, Leeds

Park Square is a Georgian public square in Leeds, it is one of four notable squares in Leeds city centre, the square is grassed over and is a traditional Georgian park...

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The building was designed by Thomas Ambler

Thomas Ambler

Thomas Ambler was an English architect, living and working in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Among his surviving works are Grade II listed buildings on the south side of Boar Lane, St James's Hall in New York Street, and the Grade II* listed Moorish factory of St Paul's House in Park Square,...

 in an ornate Hispano-Moorish style. The building was extensively altered and restored in 1976 with a wholly new interior. The minarets, originally terracotta, are now fibreglass reproductions.