Description: Derby Road runs across the centre of the photograph. Centre right is East Circus Street and Hall. The Albert Hall was the first major commission of Watson Fothergill, the famous Nottingham architect. He won the major competition to design this (first) Albert Hall. His concert hall could seat 2,500 people and was said to have had wonderful acoustics. It was in the French Early Gothic style, and the front was dominated by a huge saddle-back tower, nearly 150 feet tall. It was opened on 20th September, 1876. The hall sadly burnt down on the night of 22nd April, 1906. The present day 'Albert Hall' now stands on the site of Fothergill's original building and was opened in 1909 after re-building. St Barnabas Roman Catholic Cathedral dates from 1841-4 (A W Pugin), building being largely financed by the Earl of Shrewbury.