Image: Ballamona Shire Oak Road Headingley (5)

Description: Ballamona, Shire Oak Road, off Otley Road, Headingley, West Yorkshire, England. This is an unlisted building, designed and built in 1887 by architect George Corson, and owned and rented out by him for many years. It was a pair of semi-detached villas, rented mostly by businessmen until 1950, when it was combined into one and named Hartrigg Hotel. As of 1990 it has been Haley's hotel. At some time between 1891 and 1897, the Willson Group of artists became tenants, and they used the building as a home and studio until at least 1902. Corson and the Willson Group knew each other, and in 1901 the Leeds and Yorkshire Architectural Society commissioned a portrait of Corson from Mary A. Hilliard Willson. That portrait would have been executed or completed in this building. It is not known which part was used as the studio, but the bay windows on the north-west corner, and the top-storey north windows, would have afforded the best light. The best light of all is given by the top bay window under the north west turret. Showing the north-west corner, or right-hand half of the building, which was originally Ballamona. Note the turret of bay windows, where the Willson Group may have used the light for painting.
Title: Ballamona Shire Oak Road Headingley (5)
Credit: Own work
Author: Storye book
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