2 Haymarket
2 Haymarket, seen from the west
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeFormer post office
Architectural styleClassical revival
Classification
Listed Building – Grade II
Designated12 June 1973
Reference no.1270961
Town or citySheffield
CountryUnited Kingdom
Completed1871
Opened1872

2 Haymarket is a listed building in Sheffield City Centre in England.

The building was constructed in 1871 to serve as Sheffield's head post office.[1] It was originally intended also to house the local branch of the Inland Revenue, but the space was almost immediately found to be inadequate, and within a couple of months of its opening in 1872, the Revenue moved to offices on Norfolk Street.[2]

The building has two stories and an attic and is in the classical revival style, adopting a form which was already old-fashioned at the time it was built.[1] In 1879, it was described as "a fairly handsome Doric structure, but inadequate to the requirements of the rapidly increasing postal and telegraphic business of so large a town".[2] A further section at the rear of the building, facing Commercial Street, was constructed at the same time and in the same style, but is of a single storey, with a basement below.[1]

In 1910, a new head post office for the city was constructed on Fitzalan Square.[3] The building was purchased by the Sheffield Stock Exchange, which opened its new site with a grand ceremony in 1911.[4] The stock exchange operated until 1967, when the creation of British Steel Corporation dramatically reduced its business.[1][5]

The building was restored in the 1970s, and the interior was completely reworked to serve as a branch of the Yorkshire Bank,[6] which it remained until September 2014. The building is Grade II listed.[7]

As of July 2017, the building remains unoccupied following Yorkshire Bank's vacation of the site. There are currently plans for the refurbishment of 2 Haymarket and the adjacent building at 5-7 Commercial Street, which would include the addition of a second floor on the Commercial Street building and the creation of 11 flats across both buildings.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Ruth Harman and John Minnis, Pevsner Architectural Guides: Sheffield, p.149
  2. ^ a b Pawson and Brailsford, The Illustrated Guide to Sheffield and District (1879 edition), p.111
  3. ^ Clyde Binfield, The History of the City of Sheffield, 1843–1993, p.42
  4. ^ W. A. Thomas, The Provincial Stock Exchanges, pp.101–102
  5. ^ W. A. Thomas, The Provincial Stock Exchanges, p.246
  6. ^ John Edward Vickers, A Popular History of Sheffield, pp.199–200
  7. ^ Historic England. "Yorkshire Bank and Railing (1270961)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  8. ^ "16/00727/LBC | Demolition of roof-top gangway extension, erection of roof-top extension over existing rear extension and alterations to existing rear extension and upper floors of main building to form 11 flats | 2 Haymarket And 5-7 Commercial Street Sheffield S1 1PF". planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk. Sheffield City Council. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

53°23′00″N 1°27′50″W / 53.383264°N 1.464018°W / 53.383264; -1.464018

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