Kirkgate Buildings, Huddersfield

The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.

Kirkgate Buildings, Huddersfield

Kirkgate Buildings (also known as Bulstrode Buildings) were built in 1880-1883 for use as shops and warehouses. They were designed by architect William Henry Crosland, born 1834 of Longwood House, Netheroyd Hill, the son of Henry Crosland, a stone merchant and quarry master.

W.H. Crosland was responsible for many other Ramsden developments, e.g. Byram Arcade, Estate Office and Post Office. He was in practice first in Huddersfield, then by c1860 in Halifax, but in 1864 he was living and working in Leeds. Later, around 1870, he moved to London. Crosland became a F.R.I.B.A. in 1867, but he disappeared from the Institute's records after 1895, and the date and place of his death are not known. His designs are chiefly gothic, and he did submit a plan, though unsuccessfully, for a concert hall in the town.

Isaac Hordern was not a professional architect, but he was an employee of the Ramsden Estate, and as such was very much involved with the Ramsden's major town centre development in the late 19th century. It would appear that he did have some architectural ability, and he put forward his own suggestions, with sketches, for the design of Kirkgate Buildings when W.H. Crosland was preparing the plans.

The builder responsible for Kirkgate Buildings was a local man, Ben Graham. He was born in 1841 and lived at Black Dyke, Fartown. The Graham family were already established in the town as building contractors, his father Abraham and his grandfather Ben had already been in business at their main yard at Folly Hall. They also had a quarry at Crosland Moor and employed stone masons there. During the busy season, Ben Graham employed some two hundred hands. He was also responsible for the building of, among others, the Huddersfield Technical College, Spring Grove School and Byram Arcade.

Kirkgate Buildings cost £62,166 to complete. The buildings look rather elaborate for warehouses, but it is said that they were designed this way because at that time this area would have been visible from the railway station, and it was thought they would give a good impression to travellers arriving by train at Huddersfield Station.

The Conservative Club moved into the Church Street end of the buildings around 1894, occupying the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor.

Restoration work on the Kirkgate Buildings was completed in 1993. A scheme costing £1.5m gave a complete facelift to the property. The refurbishment included a new staircase and lift, heating and ventilation systems and new staff facilities. Kirkgate Buildings now houses the Kirklees Council's Property Services department.