LBY Archives: 1991

White Cloth Hall, Leeds

A cobblestone street lined with historic brick and stone building that are the external to White Cloth Hall in Leeds, with street lamps and a cloudy sky overhead.

White Cloth Hall is a historic building regeneration project located adjacent to Leeds Corn Exchange.

Dating from 1775, the structure was at risk of collapse and required significant intervention to stabilise and repurpose it. The approach introduced new steel structures and a central atrium, allowing the original fabric to be retained and expressed while providing the support needed for its long-term use.

The building has been adapted to accommodate retail and restaurant uses, bringing new activity to the site while preserving its historic significance.

The project demonstrates a balance between structural intervention and conservation, enabling the existing architecture to remain visible and relevant within a contemporary context.  

“Structural intervention used to preserve and reveal, rather than replace.”

JOHN LYALL, LBY ARCHITECTS

An internal view of White Cloth Hall with and indoor restaurant with brick walls, large arched windows, and a glass ceiling, decorated with potted plants and set tables with white tablecloths.

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