Photo of Leeds sunset by James Abbott – Donnelly
On Tuesday we looked at the future developments in Leeds. Below is the final part of our series with our experts.
What buildings or areas in Leeds are you most disappointed with, (eg; for their poor design, missed opportunities or wider issues?)
Chris Thompson –
There are unfortunately many recent buildings that to me are architecturally poor; City Central (Wellington Street), Jury’s Inn, Opel 3 (Scheme at top of Briggate with red fin), Sky Plaza, but perhaps the biggest losses are the missed opportunities. In many cases these are outside of individual developers/architects control and sometimes centre around highways which create divides preventing
Kevin Bramley –
It is difficult and unfair to be too critical of buildings as one is not always fully aware of all the circumstances as to how they have been created and what challenges have been overcome to achieve their development. Where there is a perception of disappointment, I personally prefer to say opportunity.
The city rim presents a great challenge going forward and the Holbeck Urban Village area was creeping towards fulfilling its potential before the recent collapse of the markets. As the economy picks up it will be exciting to see how it adapts to changes in demand requirements of occupiers and which of the city run proposals move forward.
Many people who I speak express disappointment over the lack of school facilities within the central area and the dynamics that could evolve from such a facility. Exciting challenges also remain in the Regent Street, Mabgate and Kirkstall Road areas.
Greg Keeffe –
My most hated thing about Leeds is its appalling one-way traffic system, and the loop road. The city centre really suffers from this. When you walk around the city, every architectural experience is killed by speeding cars.
I think one of the most wasted opportunities was the Rose Bowl at Leeds Met. It has a key site to mark the start of the academic corridor in the city, a sort of gateway. It turns its back on this and presents a bland back to the street, with a half finished car park and some picket fencing, and a mound of earth. All you see from the road is the huge plant room on the roof! Other nasties include Bridgewater Place and No1 Leeds, oh and the Candle, that is dreadful, no wonder no one bought a flat there.
Irena Bauman –
Leeds only had one mantra [during the recent boom times]: to let private sector do as they wish. The results are all to see: the mean student developments such as The Plaza, the environmentally disastrous Bridgewater Place, the empty energy guzzling commercial buildings around The Mint in Holbeck, and the eerie Clarence Dock.
If you could change one thing about how we are building in Leeds what would it be?
Chris Thompson –
To create a bold vision for the south of Leeds. We live in uncertain times but the issues around sustainability and energy security are here to stay. There is also a growing population and increasing housing and employment needs. There exists a huge opportunity in South Leeds to have a vision for a smart city with integrated transport, energy and technology infrastructure which would provide the backbone for growth of a whole new part of the city. A home for thousands of people? City parks? All provided from a zero carbon district heating and energy network where – over time – the area could become a net exporter of heat. Imagine a new zero carbon public transport scheme with refuelling stations provided in South Leeds from the district infrastructure. It’s a once in a generation opportunity to get this right and I hope that people in the city could come together to make this happen
Kevin Bramley –
There is undoubtedly feeling that the city requires more open areas of greenery and green space. If I could change things it would be twofold; I would seek to reserve some of the development that has occurred along the river frontage to provide more open walkways and recreational areas along the river and forgive me for saying this, but at the expense of the listed buildings on Wellington Street, my vision for Leeds would be for that street running east, west to be opened up to create Leeds’ Champs-Elysees!
Greg Keeffe –
I think the traffic system needs sorting out. I think if we could get that more suitable for pedestrians and cyclists then the city could breathe better. Cycling down any arterial road is a near death experience at any time of the day. We also need to have a plan for carbon descent – and from this we will be able to direct development in the city to design its future, rather than be at the mercy of large corporate land owners and have it thrust upon us: the city belongs to the people: we need more democracy in what its future should be.
I also think the city council should offer rent and rate-free space for independent businesses and shops in the city, there are so many voids in the city and this would create a new renaissance.
Irena Bauman –
The process – I would make sure that all developments are guided by a strong and clear vision of quality, sustainability and livability.
I would like to publicly thank all 4 of my interviewees for taking the time to answer my questions and sharing such interesting viewpoints on the past, present & future buildings of Leeds.
Part 1 of the interview can be found here.
Part 2 of the interview can be found here.
Really great to read some sensible, accessible discussion about Leeds, by people who know what they’re talking about.
Please keep this going!
Interesting and mixed comments. I couldn’t help getting the feeling that some were originating from a rather idealistic viewpoint, whereas the real world is not always able to reflect architectural idealism. The fact remains that Leeds is a relatively small and unimportant provincial city (on a global scale), and was therefore never going to benefit from attracting generous funding for the luxury of high quality architectural finishes, in the way that London or even Manchester based developments perhaps could. I therefore would take some of the criticisms as a little harsh and with a pinch of salt – in addition to preserving much of the best heritage architecture, Leeds has now developed a respectable skyline in the past 10-15 years, even if it is partly a bit of a budget one, but in Leeds’ vision to move up in the world, that is a good start in my opinion.