| Description | Commercial building formerly used as a hotel with ground floor retail units and later used as offices. Built 1882, designed by W H Crossland with sculptural work by C E Fucigna. Constructed of sandstone ashlar, with a slate roof. 3 storeys plus basement and attic. Building has 19th century Queen Anne style with Flemish and French Renaissance influences.
In 2013 English Heritage were asked to assess the building for listing. On 09/10/2013 it was decided to designate Waverley Chambers as a Grade II listed building. An edited version of the building’s listing description is below:
Waverley Chambers is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Architectural quality: its eclectic 19th century Queen Anne styling displays a strong level of architectural flair, incorporating French and Flemish Renaissance influenced detailing to successful effect;
* Architect: it was designed by the notable Huddersfield architect, WH Crossland who has many listed buildings to his name, and it is a good example of his smaller scale work;
* Sculptural interest: the principal elevations incorporate high quality sculptural work by the Italian sculptor, Ceccardo Egidio Fucigna, and include references to Huddersfield's close links with industry and the textile trade, as well as the building's links with the Ramsden family;
* Group value: it has strong group value with nearby listed buildings, some of which were also designed by Crossland.
Waverley Chambers occupies a corner plot at the junction of Kirkgate and Wood Street with its principal elevation on to Kirkgate and a narrow yard area to the rear. The building is attached to another later building on the western side. The ground floor is the building's tallest level with the floor levels diminishing in height above.
Front (south) elevation: this elevation facing Kirkgate is of 3 bays. Paired stringcourses divide the floor levels and continue around and across the east elevation. At the top of the elevation is an eaves cornice. The three ground floor bays are separated by pilaster strips incorporating projecting blocks with vermiculated rustication. The strips are topped by console supported, panelled pedestals surmounted by decorative carved urns (the upper part of the urn to the far right is missing) and then continue as quoin strips on the upper floors. The main entrance is set to the ground floor of the left bay and consists of a large round arched opening with the same vermiculated rustication blockwork treatment as the pilaster strips with carved spandrels depicting dragons above and a large keystone with a carved cartouche displaying the Arms of the Ramsden family. Partly glazed panelled double doors sit within a partly glazed screen, with a later plain fanlight above displaying lettering that reads 'WAVERLEY CHAMBERS/ 5/ KIRKGATE'. The two neighbouring ground floor bays have glazed shopfronts that clearly reveal internal mezzanines within the shops. Both shops have blank signage fascias to the top and later signage lower down, and dividing transoms; that to the left also has a stallriser, whilst that to the right retains its mullions. Both the first and second floors are lit by paired single pane sash windows; those to the centre bay have round arched heads and incorporate carved heads as keystones, depicting Saturn (depicted as an old man), Hercules (depicted wearing a lion's head headdress), Juno (depicted with ears of corn) and possibly Venus (depicted surrounded by flowers and foliage). |