BRADFORD'S Civic Society has called for a city centre building, designed by the same architects's firm behind Seattle's Space Needle, to be listed.

Arndale House, a high rise former office building on Charles Street, is one of the city's most prominent buildings, facing both the Broadway Shopping Centre and the Grade I listed Wool Exchange.

For years there have been plans to convert the building into flats, with the most recent application being for the replacement of much of the building's windows in preparation for the conversion.

However, Bradford's Civic Society has objected to the proposals to alter the building's windows, pointing out Arndale House's architectural significance.

The building, which dates back to the 1965 and replaced the much loved Swan Arcade, has stood empty for a number of years, with plans to convert it into apartments having stalled. Last month a new application for the building was submitted to Bradford Council by the Xchange Development Company. It calls for the building's full length, single glazed windows to be replaced with double glazed UPVC windows the developer says is more suitable for residential use.

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The application says the building is a "good example of 1960s Brutalist architecture" but goes on to say: "It is is considered to have a low value in the streetscape of Bradford City Centre."

It adds: "It is considered that the replacement of the windows will have a neutral impact on the character of the conservation area.

"Bringing the currently disused tower block back into use through residential reuse will have a moderate beneficial impact on the character of the building and its surroundings."

The building, which has a rooftop garden, is above the Xchange development which consists of a gym, coffee shop, Greggs, CEX entertainment store and a Donner Kebab restaurant.

Metro Bank plans on opening its first Bradford branch in an empty unit on the building.

In its objection to the plans, the Civic Society has referred to the building's surprising architectural significance.

Arndale House was designed by John Graham and Partners, a Seattle based architecture firm behind landmarks such as the city's towering space needle landmark and the Lloyd Centre Tower in Portland Oregon.

The society says Arndale House is thought to be the only UK building designed by the company, and for this reason has contacted Historic England to see if the building can be listed.

A spokesperson for Bradford Civic Society's Place Panel said: "We fully support the reuse of this prominent building, particularly if it leads to the creation of high-quality living space in the city centre, but the planned exterior alterations are poorly designed.

"While emotions sometimes run high because of the Victorian landmark that this building replaced, Arndale House is considered by many to be an excellent example of understated 1960s architecture. Its current full-height windows allow for natural light to permeate the building, and also quite elegantly reflect the Grade I-listed Wool Exchange in the right light.

"The proposed alterations are too much of a departure from the building's original design, and risk undermining the setting of neighbouring historic sites. The loss of full-height windows also somewhat goes against modern best practice for maximising natural light within living spaces.

"We'll be objecting to the proposals, and have consulted colleagues at the 20th Century Society for their professional oversight too."

The objection adds: "It would appear that Arndale House may be John Graham Associates' only UK design. That is significant in that Bradford possesses probably the only example in the country.

"[The changes] would, in our opinion, depart from the original and unique design of John Graham Associates; detract from the historic appearance of the building; destroy the elegance of the architecture - particularly in relation to its proximity to the Wool Exchange.

"We would encourage a much higher quality glazing system, more true to the form of the impressive facade. The current proposed work would have, in our opinion, a negative impact on the Bradford skyline, as well as the internal light levels within the building.

"Given the building's unique architectural heritage, we have also made enquiries with Historic England about the potential for listing."

A decision on the application to replace the windows is expected next month.