Client Press Releases
Bradford's Skyline Illuminated
08 December 2009
New atmospheric lighting has been installed in Bradford's 19th
Century Wool Exchange.
The switch on will take place later this week and will
illuminate the Grade-I listed building and showcase its
architectural glory for the first time in the building's
history.
Bradford Council's Landscape Design Unit and Design and
Conservation team has worked in partnership with leading property
consultant GVA Grimley, on behalf of the building's owner Eric
Wright Group, and English Heritage on the 'Lighting the City'
project to transform the Venetian Gothic-inspired building into a
night-time feature in Bradford's skyline.
The work costing £30,000 has been carried out by lighting
specialist Vallectric and will see the clock tower lit from the
inside to illuminate its features while strips of LED lights will
be fitted discreetly along the parapets and archways to highlight
the detail of the masonry.
Kevin Wideman, an associate from GVA Grimley, comments: "Our
role was to ensure the illumination of one of Bradford's most
treasured buildings was completed swiftly.
"It's hoped that with our on-going effort to enhance the
integrity of this great building and with the streetscene work that
is taking place, the Wool Exchange will be maintained as a
valuable asset to the City and play a key role in the overall
regeneration of Bradford."
Bradford Council's Executive Member for Environment and Culture,
Coun Anne Hawkesworth, said: "The Wool Exchange is one of
Bradford's most spectacular pieces of architecture built to
symbolise the wealth and importance wool brought to the city.
"The lighting will illuminate some of the Wool Exchange's most
striking features such as the clock tower, the archways and the
stone detail, which will become a fantastic addition to Bradford's
skyline that can now be enjoyed during the day and at night."
The Wool Exchange was designed by Bradford architects Lockwood
and Mawson and a foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister
Lord Palmerston before it was completed in 1867.
Eric Wright Group is the long leaseholder of the Wool Exchange
and refurbished the building in the mid 1990's when it was a run
down and under utilised asset in the centre of the city.
The Wool Exchange features art throughout the building with
carved portraits of Cobden, Sir Titus Salt, Stephenson, Watt,
Arkwright, Jacquard Gladstone and Palmerston between the ground
floor arches facing Market Street
Facing Bank Street, Raleigh, Drake, Columbus, Cook and Anson are
featured, while flanking the porched entrance below the tower are
statues of Bishop Blaize, the patron saint of woolcombers, and King
Edward III who was instrumental in promoting the wool trade.
- Ends -
GVA Grimley Ltd, 10 Stratton Street, London W1J
8JR.
(1) GVA Grimley Ltd is one of the UK's leading firms of property
consultants operating from 12 offices with 890 fee earners
generating a turnover of £137.3 million year ending 30th April
2009.
(2)The firm provides a full range of property-related services
including agency, planning and regeneration, rating, building
consultancy, investment, management and valuation consultancy. GVA
Grimley also offers specialist advice in areas such as telecomms,
education, healthcare, retail, contamination, plant and machinery
and the automotive and roadside sectors.
(3)GVA Grimley is a founding member of GVA Worldwide, an
international organization of real estate industry leaders serving
key markets in over 25 countries. The organization is comprised of
more than 3200 real estate professionals in over 80 markets
worldwide. In 2008, GVA Worldwide partners collectively completed
approximately $30 billion in transactions and managed more than 175
million square feet of office, industrial, retail and specialized
property. For further information about GVA Grimley please visit www.gva.co.uk
www.beattiegroup.com
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