Higham Place, Laing Art Gallery

This building was listed Grade II in 1971 with the following description:
'Art Gallery. 1903-4 by Cackett and Burns Dick. Sandstone ashlar; roof not visible; stone dome to tower cupola. Free Baroque style with Art Nouveau elements. Central block of 2 high storeys, 5 bays, the outer bays pavilions with projecting centres. Left 3-stage tower; right wing of 3 low storeys, 2 bays. Main block has 2 central recessed double doors; steps up to wrought iron gates in keyed arch with elaborate case in free Roman Doric Order; spiral columns to pedimented niche above in open scrolled pediment on paired rusticated columns; cherubs flanking pediment carry scrolls ARS LONGA and VITA BREVIS. Arms of Newcastle in blank wall above. Rusticated ground floor has round-headed windows. Giant Ionic Order in pavilions with first-floor tripartite windows, blind at left; and bracketed niches with cartouches. Entablature with pulvinated frieze and modillioned cornice in main block add plainer in right wing. Left tower with rusticated ground floor is blank to level of main cornice; above is a 3-light window in raised stone surround, and an art-nouveau frieze with high-relief female figures, the central winged; corner pilasters. Octagonal lantern has drum with free-standing columns and 4 pedimented round-headed openings; dome with ball finial. Interior shows full-width entrance hall, left hall to staircase, and upper hall, with red, white and Frosterley marble floors; Tuscan Order to entrance, ironic to left hall, Composite to upper hall, fat stone balusters and wide rail to stair and circular upper hall balustrade. Panelled soffits. Historical note: the gift of Alexander Laing to the City of Newcastle.' LISTED GRADE 2