Atkinson Art Gallery and Library

The original building is constructed in sandstone with a slate roof in Neoclassical style. It is in three storeys and has a symmetrical three-bay front. The central bay projects forward and contains a square-headed doorway above which is a roundel and a band of three panels. It is flanked by pairs of engaged Corinthian columns, above which is an entablature with a frieze inscribed with "ATKINSON FREE LIBRARY" and a pediment.[5] The roundel includes a carving of a female bust representing Thought. The tympanum of the pediment contains carved personifications of Art, Science, Literature, Inspiration, and Commerce.[2] The outer bays each incorporate a foundation stone in the plinth, a three-light window in an arcade in the lower floor, and carved panels in the upper floor.[5] The panels are carved with allegories including Painting, Drama and Science. All the carvings were executed by G. W. Seale.[2]

The former bank is built in sandstone ashlar with a slate roof in Renaissance style. It has three storeys and an attic, each floor diminishing upwards in size. There are three bays on the Lord Street front and seven bays on Eastbank Street. In the ground floor, separating and flanking the bays, are channelled pilasters with crocketed caps, a frieze and a cornice. Above these, on both floors are pairs of colonnettes with foliated caps, a frieze and a cornice. Along the top of the building is a balustraded parapet, and a pedimented attic window in the central bay of each side. In the left bay of the Lord Street face and in the central bay of the Eastbank Street face is a round-headed doorway with a moulded head, a keystone and carved spandrels. The other bays on Lord Street and the first three bays on Eastbank Street contain tall pilastered two-light windows; the last three bays on Eastbank Street have inserted shop fronts. In the middle floor each bay contains two round-headed two-light windows with moulded heads and keystones and are flanked by pilasters. The top floor has two segmental-headed two-light windows with moulded architraves in each bay.[3] Internally the former banking hall has retained its plastered coffered ceiling and a Gothic fireplace.[2]