My Favourite Building
SOLICITOR Chris Garside of Harrogate-based law firm McCormicks has worked with some of the most innovative developers in the UK to design, fund and deliver schemes which have helped to regenerate many English towns and cities.
But it is an older scheme which really fires his imagination.
“I have had the pleasure of working on a number of the exciting regeneration projects that have helped to transform some of our northern cities over the last few years,” said Mr Garside. “Many of these schemes used compulsory purchase as a tool to assist in site assembly.
“My favourite building is a very early product of compulsory purchase in Leeds, St Anne’s Catholic Cathedral on Great George Street. The building is one of my favourite things, a hidden gem.
“The external facade is fairly modest and tucked away. This is a result of a compromise necessary because the original Cathedral, which stood at the top of Park Row as shown on the famous painting of that street by Atkinson Grimshaw, was acquired by compulsory purchase order at the turn of the century to allow for the widening of the Headrow.
“I have often mused on the fact that, while the use of compulsory purchase is often controversial today, I don’t think anybody would get away with using it to knock down a Cathedral anymore!
“The only suitable site in the heart of the city stood a few metres away and the Cathedral authorities employed the talented architects John Eastwood and Sydney Greenslade who produced an intelligent and beautiful piece of Arts and Crafts design.
“I love this brief period of architecture, made famous by the likes of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Edwin Lutyens and William Morris.
“Buildings of this period have a special atmosphere and an attention to detail. The Cathedral has recently been restored to an extremely high standard recognised by a Gold RIBA White Rose Award.
“More importantly it is an important part of the life of the city, hosting lunchtime concerts and major events. One of the most moving services held there in recent times was the funeral of Jane Tomlinson, a fitting building in which to hold the celebration of such a fantastic life and to honour a Freeman of the City.”
