Blue plaque for iconic Leeds building
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Built on East Parade in 1863 for the city’s premier auctioneers and estate agents, John Hepper & Sons, Hepper House has weathered the years.
Now housing a recently opened restaurant the ornate building’s rich history is to be celebrated with a blue plaque from Leeds Civic Trust.
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Hide AdDr Kevin Grady, director of the trust, said: “Hepper House is a very fine example of a purpose-built Victorian auction room and was designed by the noted Leeds architect George Corson for John Hepper & Sons, the city’s most famous firm of auctioneers and estate agents.
“Our blue plaque celebrates both the building and the illustrious history of John Hepper & Sons which as the city’s leading auctioneers and estate agents handled the sales of some of Leeds’ most prestigious properties, most famously the sale of the Roundhay Park estate in 1871. The Hepper family are of particular significance for Leeds Civic Trust because the third John Hepper (1925-1991) was the founding chairman of the trust.”
George Corson lavished the building’s frontage and vestibule with a mix of Romanesque and Byzantine, French and English Gothic styles.
Leeds City Council Leader Councillor Judith Blake will unveil the plaque at Ibérica Restaurant, which is now housed in the former auction rooms, on Tuesday.
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Hide AdMarcos Fernandez, of Ibérica, said: “We were delighted to have had the opportunity to restore Hepper House to its former glory and regular modern use – it is so evocative of authenticity and integrity, values we hold dear at Ibérica and therefore the perfect showcase for our food and experience.”
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