Architecture in Leeds

Leeds has a wide range of architectural styles, however like most northern industrial cities, its best examples are probably Victorian. Hunslet and Holbeck have many surviving examples of industrial architecture while Kirkstall Abbey is one of Britain's best preserved examples of a ruined Cistercian monastery. The industrial revolution and post war regeneration in the twentieth century produced most of the current buildings in Leeds. Leeds is currently undergoing a lot of redevelopment, in particular in Leeds City Centre, creating a lot of new architecture. Leeds now has some of the best high rise architecture outside of London, in particular Bridgewater Place.

Pre 1600

Leeds, like most industrial cities has few examples of architecture from this era. The Parish Church of Adel is one of the few examples of this. It was built between 1150 and 1170. It is generally regarded as one of the best examples of Norman churches in Yorkshire. [Mills, A. D. (2003). Dictionary of British Place-Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198527586. ] There are some cottages dating from this era in Headingley and Alwoodley. Although Leeds itself lacks architecture from this era, there are examples within the City of Leeds boundries. Wetherby Bridge is a notable piece of architecture from this era, technically three bridges with many alterations over the years (originally with a central hump), the Bishop of York forgave sins in return for local residents building the bridge.

Kirkstall Abbey is probably the most famous pieces of architecture form this period. [a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p The Story of English Towns - Leeds J. S. Fletcher, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1919 ] Building work began on the banks of the River Aire in 1152. It was destroyed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, however the remains are still preserved in good condition. The Abbey House Museum keeps records and displays artifacts from the abbey as well as from other eras across Leeds. Paintings of the Abbey have come from artists as renowned as J. M. W. Turner and Thomas Girtin. In 1889 the abbey was purchased by Colonel John North and presented to Leeds City Council. The council restored parts of the abbey and made it safe for public enjoyment before opening it in 1895.

Central Leeds' lack of architecture from this period may be attributed to its small size during the majority of the period. During the middle ages, town usually had a population of around 100-150, Leeds had about 1000. At the time there were many larger settlements in Yorkshire such as Wakefield and York. [http://www.leeds365.co.uk/briefhistory2.htm]

In 2007 it was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post that the remains of an eleventh century cottage in Alwoodley had been demolished after controversial approval from Leeds City Council.

Headingley [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2005114_96436710&DISPLAY=FULL] and Wetherby [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2006317_161014] both had castles dating from this era, however there are no notable visible remains of either of the structures. Headingley Castle was redeveloped into a Tudar-Gothic Villa of the same name. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2005114_96436710&DISPLAY=FULL]

1600 to 1800

By Tudor times, Leeds had become a reasonably sized Market town, however numerous redevelopment of the city centre in the following centuries has removed all evidence of this. Perhaps the best example of architecture from this period lies just outside the city (although within the City of Leeds boundaries) in Harewood House. This was built between 1759 and 1771 and funded from the proceeds of the West Indian Slave Trade.

The opening of a trade hall in Wetherby in 1710 brought about further industrial development, most of this was still on a small scale until the 1800s, but Leeds like Manchester began to show growing industrialisation before many other towns and cities across the industrial belts of Yorkshire and Lancashire did, providing Leeds with a few rare examples of industry from before the period that is generally accepted as the beginning of the industrial revolution (late 1700s) had begun.

Armley Mills was built in 1788 and is currently the largest woollen mill museum. There are several examples of industrial architecture from the latter part of this era in Holbeck, Hunslet, Armley and areas surrounding Leeds City Centre.

The main infirmary was originally on Infirmary Street (near City Square and Quebec Street), This was built in 1771 and eventually converted into the Yorkshire Penny Bank. This was one of Leeds' best examples of Georgian Architecture, it has since been demolished. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=9043]

The Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane was constructed between 1721 and 1727, built to a design by William Etty. The building hasn't changed much in itself, however development such as the Burton Arcade and the Leeds Shopping Plaza have been built so close that it is difficult to see the full exterior of the building as was once possible. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=9107]

Nineteenth Century

It was in the nineteenth century that Leeds began to grow into one of Britains largest cities. This lead to widespread building across the city. Leeds' wool and cloth trades resulted in the building of many industrial buildings during this era. The resulting workforce which migrated to the city from rural areas brought about the building of many houses. Leeds has perhaps the most surviving examples of back to back terrace housing in the UK, particularly in Holbeck and Harehills.

Leeds City Centre boasts many examples from this era, such as Leeds Town Hall, the Leeds Kirkgate Markets, The Hotel Metropole, The Leeds City Varieties, The Central Post Office, Calls Landings and The Corn Exchange to name a few.

Leeds Town Hall (pictured top) was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858. Leeds Town Hall is one of the UKs best examples of Gothic Architecture. The Hotel Metropole was built in the 1890s and was inspired by french architecture of the time. The Leeds Corn Exchange was also designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and was built between 1861 and 1864. The building laid derelict for many years until in 1985 when it was converted into a shopping centre.

Harehills, Burley, Holbeck, Chapeltown, Woodhouse and East End Park contain many houses from this era, while Cross Gates boasts a column guided gasholder from this era.

The 1800s saw the construction of most of Leeds' railway infrastructure, including architecturally notable viaducts in Holbeck and Leeds City Centre. None of the major railway stations from this era have survived, in fact most of Leeds City Station was rebuilt as lately as in 2002.

As well as industrial architecture Hunslet has a history for some notable churches. The main steeple on Church Lane was once part of a large church. All but the steeple were demolished in the 1970s and a smaller church building attached. Meadow Lane in Hunslet was also home to Christ Church, an architecturally notable gothic church, which has since been demolished. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2004311_95101566]

Leeds Parish Church was constructed in 1841 and at 115ft (35m) tall it held the record as Leeds' tallest building until the building of the town hall in 1858.

Twentieth Century

Leeds has a wide variety of buildings from this era. Chapel Allerton has many art deco semi detached houses from the 1930s while large parts of the city centre contain many commercial buildings from this era. Seacroft has many examples of twentieth century residential architecture.

Early Era

For the first decade of the twentieth century many areas of Leeds saw a continuation of Victorian style architecture, particularly in areas like Beeston.

The Hyde Park Picture House, Hyde Park was originally built in 1908 as a hotel. In 1914 it was converted into a picture house. The cinema has gas lighting, the original organ and piano. It is a grade II listed building and one of the few surviving picture palaces in the UK. The picture house is regarded by many to be one of the finest examples of Edwardian architecture in Leeds.

Art Deco

Chapel Allerton and to a lesser extent Headingley boast many art deco houses. Parts of the Leeds General Infirmary were built in art deco styles.

1920s and 1930s

Leeds Civic Hall was designed by E. Vincent Harris in 1926 and built between 1931 and 1933 to provide the unemployed with work during the Great Depression. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=200438_54458255] The Quarry Hill Flats were completed in 1938 [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2003718_66384524&DISPLAY=FULL] and were architecturally notable, and provided the backdrop for Yorkshire Television sitcom, Queenie's Castle. They are regarded to be the first council flats of their kind when constructed. They were demolished throughout the 1980s. The Flats were based on The Karl Marx-Hof in Vienna. [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/62722] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2008/04/02/local_history_quarry_hill_flats_feature.shtml] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/citylife/quarry_hill/history.shtml]

The Queens Hotel on City Square was constructed in 1937.

Brutalism

Leeds has limited examples of Brutalism such as the Leeds International Swimming Pool (designed by disgraced architect John Poulson) [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2002911_83416385] . The pool closed in October 2007 and its demolition has looked to be impending for several years. The Leeds International Pool was not without its design flaws, the pool size was miscalculated and was less then an inch too narrow to qualify for Olympic Standard meaning that it never held the competitions the council had hoped for and it spent much of the 1960s closed while problems with its construction were rectified.

Parts of the Merrion Centre have brutalist undertones. Particularly around the office blocks constructed as part of it and the former outdoor escalators to the rear.

Hunslet Grange Flats (more commonly known as the Leek Street Flats) displayed brutalism. They replaced run down back to back houses [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2003626_55472964] . It is unusual that Leek Street was chosen as their informal name as they replaced many other streets, including longer streets such as Alton Street. The flats were popular at first; however, they were so poorly designed and constructed that in 1983 they were demolished only thirteen years after being constructed. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2007108_164880] Smaller shops on the site had been demolished even earlier.

For a picture of the flats see the Leodis Database:(Picture in 1975 [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2007108_164879] ) and a (picture in 1973 [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2007109_164889] ).

Often unseen parts of the University of Leeds display elements of brutalism, with large areas of exposed concrete. From the A660 however, only older parts of the university are visible. To view these parts of the university it is necessary to walk through the main campus.

1960s to 1980s

Many areas of Leeds such as Seacroft were almost entirely built in this era. There are many high rise council flats in Leeds as well as office buildings such as West Riding House. Many Victorian slums were demolished during this era and replaced with council housing. There was also widespread private residential developments. Holt Park was a joint effort between the Leeds City Council and Norman Ashton. There were many Ashtons homes built during this time, particularly in Holt Park and Wetherby.

West Riding House was completed in 1973 and was the tallest building in Leeds until the completion of Bridgewater Place in 2007. In 2008 it was knocked into third position with the opening of Opal Tower.

The Inner Ring Road was constructed over the course of the 1960s. This was the most ambitious scheme of its kind in the UK. The works involved the construction of many flyovers and tunnels and the Motorway construction is notable in itself.

1990s

The 1990s saw further residential development, such as that around Colton. Schofields Department Store was demolished and replaced by The Schofield Centre (now The Headrow Centre) and the White Rose Centre was constructed. The 1990s also saw Tesco redevelop Seacroft town centre, which had previously been architecturally notable for 1960s architecture.

Quarry House was constructed on the site of the former Quarry Hill Flats (see 1920s and 1930s) at Quarry Hill. The building houses the Department of Work and Pensions (formerly the DSS) and is their main regional offices. The building is controversial. Its imposing design has often been regarded as being domineering and self important and has led the building to be nicknamed The Kremlin and The Ministry of Truth. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=20021122_362795]

Post Millenium

So far during this period, Leeds has seen much development, particularly in the city centre, most notably the highrise developments such as Bridgewater Place, the developments around Clarence Dock, K2 (albeit a conversion from an older building) [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=200325_20257204] [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=20051214_160152] as well as many developments incorporating student accommodation. The 2002 redevelopment of Leeds City Station incorporated a notable steel and glass roof covering the main platform hall and providing panoramic views to the south west from the mezanine level.

Bridgewater Place

Bridgewater Place is currently the tallest building in Leeds and the second tallest structure in Yorkshire after the Emley Moor Television Transmitter (Skelmanthorpe). The building comprises a hotel, offices flats, shops and restaurants. Bridgewater Place is 361 feet (110 m) tall and has 32 stories. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2007322_163074] The original design included a spire, however this was never added. Beetham Tower, Manchester and Bridgewater Place, Leeds are the only such buildings in the North of England notable for their height.

Opal 3

Opal 3 is a skyscraper in Leeds. The building was officially completed in September 2008. The tower is to the north of the Leeds City Centre on Wade Lane, adjacent to the Merrion Centre and Tower House. [http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2007514_163529] At 269 feet (82 m) and with 27 stories Opal 3 is Leeds' second tallest building after Bridgewater Place. The building consists solely of student accommodation for the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University. The building was built on the former site of the Little Londoner (later The Londoner) public house in the Lovell Park area of the city. Opal 3 is fully booked for the 2008 academic year. It contains 542 students flats (all which are en-suite) as well as a gym for student use. [http://www.opalstudents.com/hall/details/opal-3-o3leeds/features/] [http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/largerprivatestudenthousing/lphs.asp?id=271]

Plaza Tower

The Plaza Tower is a skyscraper currently under construction. When complete in 2009 the Plaza will overtake Opal 3 as Leeds' second tallest building. The tower will contain 572 student flats when complete and stand at 338 feet (103 m)and have 37 stories (making it the building with the most stories in Leeds, as the Bridgewater Place has commercial height ceilings. These are particularly high for the first eight stories). [http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=1014]

Future

Two major developments in Leeds City Centre have recently fallen on stoney ground. Criterion Place ('The Kissing Towers') has been cancelled, while construction work on Lumiere has been put on hold until 'the economic climate looks more favourable'. So far much of the work on Lumiere's foundations has been completed.

See Also

*Leeds
*History of Leeds
*List of tallest buildings in Leeds
*

References