St George's Hall

PROPOSED ST GEORGES PLACE

In the foreground we have the commencement of what has been miss-termed a high level road, but which, in reality is a level road, 80ft wide from Lime Street to Dale Street, upon the south side of the hall, a similar road also running upon the north side to Dale Street, each road crossing the Old Haymarket by a bridge. Between these roads, by removing St John's Church and covering over the graveyard, we have, upon the same level, an open space, 450ft in diameter, extending to the Old Haymarket on the west side, and being at a level of 30ft above it, and on the east by the west facade of the hall. Broad flights of steps next the bridges would afford communication from the lower roads. Upon the opposite side of the Old Haymarket, upon the triangular portion formed by the two level roads joining at Dale Street, Mr SUMMERS has proposed to erect salt water baths, and, in order to harmonise with the St George's Hall, has shown as a design for a building, circular on plan, its elegant campanile and dome, which covers the principal plunge bath, 160ft in diameter, forming the centre object in view. Beyond at the corner of Hatton Garden and Dale Street, is shown a church in lieu of St John's. A principal feature in Mr SUMMERS plan, and which, as expressed by the Report upon Town Improvements, "Has removed very many objections formerly entertained upon the subject of the levels," is that these two level roads, crossing the lower streets by bridges, do not depreciate or sacrifice, the property on the lower level, but, on the contrary, greatly improve the surrounding streets as business streets, and answer their own particular objects better, namely, that of direct traffic. This has been effected by preserving parallel to and outside the two level roads approaches to and from the present level of streets in the neighbourhood. Upon the north side of one of these roads, about the present position of Shaw's Brow is propsed as the site for the Free Public Library and Museum, the wing of this building is shown in the plan. Upon the south side Mr SUMMERS proposes joining Queen's Square and Williamson Square, and providing in this space a wholesale vegetable market and flower market. One corner of this is occupied by an hotel. The relative position of these very important and desirable buildings may be more fully understood by referring to the annexed plan of reference.

INAUGURATION

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