The Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House was founded in the year 1878 as a rejection of the music hall tradition, which 'polite society' felt lowered the tone of entertainment due to the type of humour that was displayed in these pub-based venues. The theatre was built on 3/4 of an acre with a frontage of 56 yards on New Briggate, including the Assembly Rooms. At the time the venue was built, which took approximately 13 months, the construction costs amounted to a total of £62,000, which is over £7 million when adjusted for inflation. The theatre's architect was George Corson, who took influence from his assistant James Robertson Watson who had taken on a tour of Europe's theatres and churches.