Wool Exchange Building
The Wool Exchange Building in Bradford, West Yorkshire, was built between 1864 and 1867. It is a grade I listed building that was designed as a grand, Gothic Revival, 19th century wool-trading centre, to symbolise the wealth and importance that wool had brought to Bradford.
The commission to design the building was given great importance in Bradford and John Ruskin was invited to give his advice. There was a competition to design the building and entries included one from Norman Shaw, but it was won by the local architects Lockwood and Mawson. The foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston. The architectural style employed is Venetian Gothic with some Flemish influence in the tower.