Leeds in 1947 - Bird's eye view of a city centre's beating heart

This photo turns back the clock to 1947 and showcases landmarks many of which remain part of the city's rich heritage and history.

In the centre of the left edge the Gothic Revival style frontage of Leeds General Infirmary can be seen, facing onto Great George Street.

Continuing right, the Leeds Institute is visible, recognisable by the roof of its centrally positioned circular lecture hall.

Moving forwards towards the right edge is St Anne's Cathedral. In front of this, construction work is being carried out to extend the corner block of the Leeds Permanent Building Society (1930), which is just out of view, to its present site.

The block of properties which follow to the left of this development are the Municipal Buildings, which originally housed civic offices along with Leeds Central Library.

Directly in front of these buildings is Centenary Street which was pedestrianised and paved over when the Garden of Remembrance and Victoria Gardens were enlarged. Victoria Gardens was created between 1936 and 1937 when the War Memorial was transferred there from City Square.

On the right of this block is the site of what is now the Henry Moore Institute.

Opposite the Municipal Buildings, across Centenary Street and The Headrow is a pale coloured building which, like the Civic Hall is constructed from Portland Stone. This is Pearl Chambers and was built in 1910 as the premises of Pearl Life Assurance.

To the left of Pearl Chambers across East Parade, the back of the Jubilee Hotel is visible.

This hotel was built in 1904 and faces Leeds Town Hall. Victoria Square is situated in front of the building. Finally continuing left over Oxford Place is the Oxford Place Methodist Chapel.

The photo is one of the 'most talked' about images on photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks.

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