Lister's Mill

Image: © David Spencer Taken: 14 Aug 2005

Also known as Manningham Mills. The main part of this vast complex is now being gutted to turn it into posh flats. Grade II-star listed, its citation reads: "The largest and most imposing of the Bradford mills and a major landmark. Manningham Mills were built in 1873 for Samuel Cunliffe Lister, later Lord Masham." (See Image) "This vast industrial monument consists of 2 long six-storey blocks, a grandiose Composite chimney, boiler house, large sheds and reservoirs, in all providing 16 acres of floorspace. The frontage to Heaton Road extends to 350 yds and the return to Lilycroft Road 150 yds. Lister commissioned Andrews and Pepper as architects and in keeping with the scale of the mill they produced a boldly modelled Italianate design, directly related to the style of the Little Germany warehouses. The most striking feature is the unique campanile chimney stack, square in section and 250 ft high. The elevations are of finely masoned sandstone ashlar rising from rusticated basements. The multi-storey blocks have arcaded windows on sill bands and bold dentil cornices with crowning deep panelled parapets breaking forward over corner and centre breaks. The block fronting Patent Street" (seen here) "was originally used as a warehouse, and the mill block has a central feature to Heaton Road of a staircase tower, elaborately detailed and with a steep slated French pavilion roof surmounted by iron cresting and a flagstaff. The long shed range to Heaton Road has terminal pavilions with battered bases and a monumental portal to the south end of the frontage with heraldic achievement in the parapet: “Fides parit integritas”. The first 200 ft of the chimney shaft are decorated with full height round headed panels, 2 to each face, rising from a massive pedestal base. Boldly projecting cornices define the base and crown of the 50ft top stage, treated as a campanile. The scale, richness of decoration and the unique chimney make Manningham Mills the grandest industrial monument of the worsted trade." For more information about the mill, see the Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lister%27s_Mill

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