Geograph - photograph every grid square

Built in 1877, architect George Smith of Leeds, this was the first of the shopping arcades that are a feature of the centre of Leeds. They provided a modern and improved replacement for the narrow yards with cramped buildings that formed the centre of Leeds, dating back to the medieval period. The builder, Charles Thornton (landlord of the then Swan Inn off Briggate) was also responsible for the famous City Varieties Theatre.

The facades of the Arcade facing Briggate and Land's Lane are in a Gothic style, in brick with stone banding and dressings, the one facing Lands Lane being less ornate.

Inside, the glass roof is supported on arches of an ornate trelliswork design with a slightly Moorish profile. The shop ffronts at ground level are relatively plain.

Decorative features include dragons heads on the roof arches and carved stone heads on both facades, possibly connected with the Ivanhoe theme of the mechanical clock at the western end of the gallery.

The Arcade is Listed Grade II and was refurbished in 1997.