Bradford is definitely one of those cities where 'looking up' beyond the contemporary or tatty shopfronts is worthwhile. This building on John Street was originally known as Unity Hall, and was leased by Bradford's German community. The stone head is the German poet, Friedrich Von Schiller. Later it became a Masonic Hall and later still was used by The Oddfellows. It is now empty and sadly decaying.
Empty?! what a shame! such a beautyful building, it's really sad.. Interesting to find Schiller here..memories from the time when romantic poets and writers were travelling through all Europe.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing this, I began to wonder who might deserve Schiller's place, today.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame for such an attractive building to be left to die.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building with an interesting history. (Good photo, too.) It's a shame to let something so fine decay. The modern building that replaces it will not be nearly as interesting and will be torn down within 40 years for yet another new facade. I don't understand that mentality at all, although we see the same here. Jim
ReplyDeleteI hate seeing places like that going to ruin! Can't we all move in there or something? Here in NW Wisconsin it would have crumbled long before now because of the freezing, thawing, and heaving and of the ground. Hopefully someone will take pity on that building.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you how strikingly beautiful that header is?!
I so enjoy looking at your photos! Seeing this part of the world through your camera has made me want to see it in person. I am so hoping to visit this area when my family tours in June!
ReplyDeleteNever been quite comfortable about the whole 'Masons' thing.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo. I have stopped taking pictures of old buildings here because they always fall or burn down shortly after. Yours seem to become derelict....
ReplyDeleteThere is something about the sandstone that many of Bradfords Victorian buildings are constructed from that manages to catch soft evening sunlight and hold it as a golden honeyed glow.
ReplyDeleteNice image, and yes it is well worth walking the streets of our city with eyes glancing upwards for fine examples of stone masonery and unusual features. However the occasional glance downwards serves to avoid walking into a lamp-post.
i love this building - I hope it has another life ahead of it!
ReplyDeleteFor now, any decay is minimal, at least up here. Wouldn't it be great if it were occupied by someone who cares and has deep enough pockets?
ReplyDeleteIt is being converted into flats soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous building. I hope your last commenter is correct! ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI Love this shot... the low angle of the light makes the texture pop out! I'm your newest GFC Follower... I'm not sure why I've never come across your blog before... but I like your style.
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