Leeds Civic Hall

Leeds Civic Hall is the municipal building in the civic quarter of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has served as the city's administrative centre since 1933, and you can spot it from afar by its two towers crowned with gilded owls.

What is Leeds Civic Hall?

It is a working municipal building that houses the offices of Leeds City Council, the council chamber and a banqueting hall. The Civic Hall replaced Leeds Town Hall as the seat of the city's administration. It is a Grade II* listed building, a status given to particularly important buildings of more than special interest. For visitors, it is above all one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city centre.

Who designed it and when was it built?

The architect was E. Vincent Harris, who according to sources was recommended to the council while Sheffield City Hall was being built. Construction began in autumn 1930, and the building was officially opened on 23 August 1933 by King George V and Queen Mary. It was built during the Depression, when unemployment in Leeds reached 17% in 1930 and 21% in 1931, so the project was also presented as a way of creating jobs.

Why look out for the owls?

The most distinctive feature is the pair of gold-leafed owls on top of the twin towers. Each is about 2.3 metres high. Four more owls stand on columns in Millennium Square in front of the building. Sources give slightly different sizes for the figures, so treat the numbers as approximate. A gilded clock also decorates each side of the building.

What is there to see nearby?

In front of the building lies Millennium Square, where the owl columns stand. It is a good spot to see the facade from a distance and photograph the towers in full. The hall sits in the civic quarter of Leeds, the part of the city tied to administration and public life.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leeds Civic Hall the same as Leeds Town Hall? No. The Civic Hall replaced the Town Hall as the city's administrative centre in 1933. They are two separate buildings.

What is inside? The offices of Leeds City Council, the council chamber and a banqueting hall.

How many owls can you see? Six: two on the towers and four on columns in Millennium Square.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II* listed.

Who opened it? King George V and Queen Mary, in August 1933.

How big are the owls on the towers? According to one source about 2.3 metres high, though others give a slightly smaller figure.

In short

Leeds Civic Hall combines the role of a working civic building with that of a city symbol. When visiting Leeds, look for the towers with golden owls and you will know you are in the administrative heart of the city. The building is a good example of 1930s architecture and of the city's history during the economic crisis.