Description

SHEFFIELD

SK3587SW BARKER'S POOL
784-1/24/59 (North side)
16/01/81 City Hall

GV II*

Public hall. 1920-1934, with alterations 1984. By E Vincent
Harris. Ashlar with asphalt flat roofs. Classical Revival
style.
EXTERIOR: plinth, moulded cornices, coped parapets. 3 storeys
plus basement; 11 x 11 bays. Windowless cubic central block
with modillion cornice with lower attachments in 2 steps on
each side. South front has a portico of 8 giant Corinthian
columns in antis, the entablature carried around the pylons to
each side. Under the portico, 3 moulded round-arched entrances
with glazed screens and fanlights, protected by crested
wrought-iron gates. 3 storey returns have cross casements on
the lower floors, the ground floor windows having moulded
surrounds and cornices. Upper windows are smaller 2-light
casements. Right return has a rusticated basement with
multiple keystones to the openings, and in the centre, 3
round-headed entrances with rusticated surrounds. Above them,
3 second floor windows with balustraded balconies. At each
end, a corniced single storey square pavilion with a
round-headed doorway with rusticated surround. Left return has
similar fenestration without a basement, and a small central
door flanked by single larger doorways with fanlights and
coats of arms on the transoms. On either side, 4 windows, and
beyond, a plain double doorway. At each end a square pavilion
with round-headed doorway, like those to the right return. At
the rear, a rusticated apse with giant square Corinthian
columns rising above the level of the building and carrying a
heavy entablature. In each bay, a square window. In the
centre, 3 double doors with keystones, flanked by a cross
casement in each bay.
INTERIOR has a full width round-arched entrance hall with 3
saucer domes with decoration by George Kruger Gray, and a
balustraded barrel vaulted gallery. Oval main hall has 2 tiers
of horseshoe balconies and elaborate shallow domed coffered
ceiling with large oval rooflight. Semicircular Memorial Hall
has a balcony with end piers topped with gilt lamps in the
form of animals. Under the balcony, a continuous strip of
square openings and 3 doors. Basement ballroom has a vaulted
foyer with a double arcade of giant Doric columns, 3 x 7 bays.
On either side, similar 7 bay arcades with square end
pilasters flanking round-arched entrances. Entrance has 2
piers in antis, flanking the double doors. Enriched cross beam
ceiling with 6 louvred lamps. Side passages have 3 pairs of
doors leading to similarly decorated side rooms. Corridors
have faience tiling.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Yorkshire: The West
Riding: London: 1967-: 453).

Listing NGR: SK3518987236

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Sheffield City Hall at Wikipedia
• Sheffield City Hall official website
• Wikidata Q7492611

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)