University puts cancer lab on the market

The Algernon Firth building, on Great George Street, adjacent to Leeds General Infirmary, was used by the university for medical research and teaching.

It closed in 2009 after being used for more than 75 years and the department was moved to a more central location on campus. The building is now on the market for offers over 1m.

The university describes it as "one of the most remarkable yet least known inter-war buildings in Leeds" on its website.

A university spokeswoman said: "The Algernon Firth Building is currently empty after the decision was made to move the medical research department to a more central location on campus. The building is surplus to requirements and so a decision has been taken to sell it."

Completed in 1933, the 40,000 sq ft building is situated behind the old medical school and St George's Church, largely hidden from the public, and now overshadowed by the Clarendon Wing of the LGI. It is understood to be the largest of a number of buildings Leeds University is currently selling.

The Grade II listed building originally opened as the Institute of Pathology and over the years it has also been used for extensive cancer research.

It was named after its main benefactor Sir Algernon Firth, heir to a carpet manufacturing fortune, who gave 25,000 to the university to build it. It was designed by Leeds architect John Clifford Proctor and is believed to be one of the earliest examples of reinforced concrete in a civilian building.

Mr Proctor was inspired in his designs for the building by Willem Marinus Dudok who built Hilversum Town Hall in the Netherlands. The five-storey building was one of the first in the UK to use reinforced concrete paired with herringbone brickwork.

Paul Fairhurst, commercial head of Savills Leeds, which is selling the building on behalf of the university, said: "Algernon Firth is a historically significant and visually distinctive building situated in an excellent location in Leeds. The large regular floorplate and excellent fenestration of the building lends it to a variety of uses and we anticipate a strong interest from investors."

The interior has undergone a number of changes since it was first built. The grand staircase was cut up when the lift shaft was installed and the attic floor, which was designed as an open space, has been partitioned off.

Mr Fairhurst added: "It could be sold for a range of uses, subject to planning, including offices, student accommodation, health or education related uses or a hotel."

Mr Fairhurst said a number of "serious" inquiries for the building have been made. He added: "With the lack of development finance on larger projects, we have seen more developers in Leeds investing in historic buildings like this and refurbishing existing stock."

The building has been cleared of all medical equipment and items but it still has laboratory fixtures, such as fume cupboards and benches. In addition, it has 20 car parking spaces.

Baronet who gave generously to local causes

Sir Algernon Firth, Baronet, was born in 1856 at Holme House in Lightcliffe, near Halifax.

He joined the family carpet manufacturing business, TF Firth and Company, and became chairman until his retirement in 1921.

Sir Algernon and his wife Lady Janet became generous benefactors to the local area, erecting a war memorial, contributing generously in 1889 to displaced Irish tenants evicted from their homes in Ireland, and in 1911, donated the George V park and a drinking fountain to the people of the local area at Bailiff Bridge.

Sir Algernon was president of the local Liberal Association, president of the chamber of commerce until 1918 and was High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1922-1923.

He commissioned the Algernon Firth Institute of Pathology, which was opened in 1933. He died three years later in 1936.