Leeds council has today unveiled the exterior design of the planned new £80 million Leeds Arena.

The honeycombed design will combine with multi-coloured lights at the 13,500-capacity Clay Pit Lane venue, with building work scheduled to start later this year and be completed in late 2012.

The exterior design proposals for the Leeds Arena uses what is a complex mathematical algorithm – a voronoi diagram – to create cellular shapes that are visible on key approaches to the arena. The Leeds Arena will be the only arena in Europe to be designed this way.

Leader of Leeds council Keith Wakefield said:

"The design has been carefully chosen to ensure the building is an exciting addition to the Leeds night-time scene helping to draw in visitors, boost the evening economy and act as an commanding gateway to the city centre. It has also been developed to take account of the views of nearly a thousand Leeds people who took part in the public consultation on the scheme.

"The Leeds Arena will bring over 500 construction jobs to Leeds, many of these for local people and it estimated to boost the local economy to the tune of £25.5m. It is extremely important for the regeneration of that part of the city."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/aug/11/leeds-arena-design-unveiled




http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201044nle4-1108-06-1008-095905.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/8/11/1281514873881/Leeds-arena-day-001.jpg

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201025nle4-1108-06-1008-095837.jpg

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201053nle4-1108-06-1008-095956.jpg



14031979

Screenshots from the video:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena.jpg

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena2.jpg

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena3.jpg

Looks fantastic, especially at night, looks really funky. Can't wait for it to be built!

It looks really good :okay:

looks like a theater, not an arena

Looks great.

Retractable roof could have been included just to add that extra versatility....and it's not like it looks like a masterpiece from the air.

eeew! IMO that is.

looks like a theater, not an arena

It's an amphitheater type arena, thats what makes it more unique than most arena's with the bowl shape type layouts.

Get a hockey team in there!

It's an amphitheater type arena, thats what makes it more unique than most arena's with the bowl shape type layouts.

But isn't the selling point and benefit to a bowl type arena the fact they have an option expand when required for major sporting events and/or central stage performances. Less unique, more cheap.

I like it at night. However it does look a bit 'Pyongyang' in the render.

I agree that the design doesn't give much (if any) flexibility and I'm slightly disappointed by that but in some ways, isn't it better to have the best amphitheatre in the North than another just another bowl/horse shoe shaped arena? Afterall, concerts will be its bread and butter. This was never going to compete in size with Manchester but it should be able to offer a better concert venue than Sheffield.

WHAOoooo…That's great!

Get a hockey team in there!

Think an ice hockey team would not work in that place cos its only on one side. :banana:

Its a beauty !

Think an ice hockey team would not work in that place cos its only on one side. :banana:

Talk about limiting potential. :ohno:

Talk about limiting potential. :ohno:

Just being honest !

Nobody cares about hockey in the UK lol, if you were going to put a hockey field (pitch/arena?) in there you'd have to take out all but a few of the seats!

The arena is strictly a performance/entertainment arena, where you look at something on stage, rather than look at a sports team. It isn't a sports arena - think of it as a giant theatre.

Nobody cares about hockey in the UK lol, if you were going to put a hockey field (pitch/arena?) in there you'd have to take out all but a few of the seats!



ICE Hockey ring Would not take up all that much space.:lol:

I seriously don't think its much of an issue that we wouldnt get to have sports like basketball or ice hockey played here, they're not popular enough sports in the Uk or in yorkshire even, to warrant designing the whole arena around them. Look at the attendance levels for those sports at other arenas, theyre pretty poor. But the arena can hold boxing easily, which is a popular sport in the Uk. I think the layout is actually more beneficial to the type of events that will go there more often.

Just being honest !

I know, I was referring to the owners design.

Nobody cares about hockey in the UK lol, if you were going to put a hockey field (pitch/arena?) in there you'd have to take out all but a few of the seats!

The arena is strictly a performance/entertainment arena, where you look at something on stage, rather than look at a sports team. It isn't a sports arena - think of it as a giant theatre.

Ice hockey. Nearly all other arenas don't have to take out any seats for hockey. Take the O2 arena:

http://www.gochauffeur.co.uk/images/O2_Arena.jpg

The seating bowl was sized so that hockey could be played there (e.g. NHL Premiere). I just think they are limiting their options of what they can host in Leeds.

I seriously don't think its much of an issue that we wouldnt get to have sports like basketball or ice hockey played here, they're not popular enough sports in the Uk or in yorkshire even, to warrant designing the whole arena around them. Look at the attendance levels for those sports at other arenas, theyre pretty poor. But the arena can hold boxing easily, which is a popular sport in the Uk. I think the layout is actually more beneficial to the type of events that will go there more often.

I'm biased - if anyone recognises my avatar then you'll know I follow a hockey team in the UK. So obviously I want teams everywhere. :lol: A couple of years back there were rumours of a new arena and hockey team in Leeds so I'm disappointed with this outcome.

Surely someone else thinks that exterior is horrible?

I'm biased - if anyone recognises my avatar then you'll know I follow a hockey team in the UK. So obviously I want teams everywhere. :lol: A couple of years back there were rumours of a new arena and hockey team in Leeds so I'm disappointed with this outcome.


The guildford flames :banana:

I'm biased - if anyone recognises my avatar then you'll know I follow a hockey team in the UK. So obviously I want teams everywhere. :lol: A couple of years back there were rumours of a new arena and hockey team in Leeds so I'm disappointed with this outcome.

Well you might be in luck because there is a seperate proposed ice rink at Elland Road in Leeds.

The guildford flames :banana:

Oh yes! :banana::banana::cheers:

Well you might be in luck because there is a seperate proposed ice rink at Elland Road in Leeds.

Ah, that was it. :)

Surely someone else thinks that exterior is horrible?

I think it is horrible and I simply don't understand this trend towards an amphitheatre design. It is very similar to the new SECC arena which is a Foster design. However having reviewed the SECC deisgn from an operational perspective it is a real pig. Access routes are loaded towards one side, you have to get people to use a lot more stairs and most of all it is much harder to flex the auditorium for smaller shows. The ops people seems to have been overuled by the "Starchitects".

So much ostentation for such a small Arena...

I would go for a more classic style.

Nobody cares about hockey in the UK lol, if you were going to put a hockey field (pitch/arena?) in there you'd have to take out all but a few of the seats!

The arena is strictly a performance/entertainment arena, where you look at something on stage, rather than look at a sports team. It isn't a sports arena - think of it as a giant theatre.

Well then it's a concert hall or theater, not an arena, and shouldn't be in the sports forum.

Well then it's a concert hall or theater, not an arena, and shouldn't be in the sports forum.

^^^^^^^^^^:banana: :banana:oh yeah !

unique design.cool stadium.

I think this is safe to be renamed to Under Construction! :nuts:

It should still remain in the sports section as it will be used for sports as well as concerts (like most large arenas). The arena's website (http://www.leeds.gov.uk/About_Leeds/Leeds_Arena/Internal_design.aspx)lists future sports as:

Basketball
Tennis
Boxing/ Wrestling/ UFC

The seating is flexible - it can even accommodate temporary ice hockey (there will be no permanent team because, let's face it, nobody will go to watch it). The seating will be maxed out to 13,500 for concerts, and seating will retract for basketball, tennis etc.



(one of mine from last week)
http://i42.tinypic.com/rh632w.jpg


http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031054.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031056.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031057.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031058.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031059.jpg

Why has this thread been buried in the Proposed section when it's been under construction since May 2011?

Because all the Leeds forumers forgot this thread was in the world forum section so forgot to update it! Can a moderator please move it to U/C?

Anyway, this new arena looks more like an amphitheater than all the other arenas that I'm used to seeing in England (like the O2).

Is the layout supposed to be similar to the SECC in Glasgow?

Will the floor be large enough for general-admission events?

^^ Yes and yes.

Couple of recent photos:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6629173173_6c9eb33e0e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44472650@N08/6629173173/)
The New Arena Under Construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44472650@N08/6629173173/) by Lee Collings Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/44472650@N08/), on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6629172467_f409452b98_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44472650@N08/6629172467/)
Leeds Arena Under Construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44472650@N08/6629172467/) by Lee Collings Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/44472650@N08/), on Flickr

Uh this Arena is not really for sports is it!?

It has a cool shell design! But on the inside, it reminds me way too much of all the french 'zeniths', oversized single purpose music halls! They are great for shows but one shall not host any sports in them! TV's don't like them cause they have to show a giant black curtain half the time. And in term of atmosphere it's just weird cause the noise comes from one side only!

Leeds council has today unveiled the exterior design of the planned new £80 million Leeds Arena.

The honeycombed design will combine with multi-coloured lights at the 13,500-capacity Clay Pit Lane venue, with building work scheduled to start later this year and be completed in late 2012.

The exterior design proposals for the Leeds Arena uses what is a complex mathematical algorithm – a voronoi diagram – to create cellular shapes that are visible on key approaches to the arena. The Leeds Arena will be the only arena in Europe to be designed this way.

Leader of Leeds council Keith Wakefield said:

"The design has been carefully chosen to ensure the building is an exciting addition to the Leeds night-time scene helping to draw in visitors, boost the evening economy and act as an commanding gateway to the city centre. It has also been developed to take account of the views of nearly a thousand Leeds people who took part in the public consultation on the scheme.

"The Leeds Arena will bring over 500 construction jobs to Leeds, many of these for local people and it estimated to boost the local economy to the tune of £25.5m. It is extremely important for the regeneration of that part of the city."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/aug/11/leeds-arena-design-unveiled




http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201044nle4-1108-06-1008-095905.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/8/11/1281514873881/Leeds-arena-day-001.jpg

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201025nle4-1108-06-1008-095837.jpg

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED/TH0_118201053nle4-1108-06-1008-095956.jpg



14031979

Screenshots from the video:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena.jpg

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena2.jpg

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/awaren8/arena3.jpg

It is too beautiful, and the London games to look forward tohttp://www.collegefun4u.com/track.php

Uh this Arena is not really for sports is it!?

Only basketball, tennis, wrestling and boxing ;)


the London games to look forward to

It has nothing to do with the Olympic Games in London!

Few from the Leeds forum:


http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407175_192359777528868_149724071792439_327927_1818448327_n.jpg


http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404385_192360224195490_149724071792439_327931_2000640745_n.jpg


http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375233_192360400862139_149724071792439_327932_1341063900_n.jpg

Some updates

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/leeds-arena-leisure-quarter-plan-exclusive-1-4317902

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=236033&page=237

I didn't know this thread existed....


By PS60
Leeds Arena 28/04/12

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031277.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031278.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031279.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031280.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031281.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031282.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031283.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031284.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031285.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031286.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031287.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031288.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031289.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031290.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz65/pluto_011/leeds%20arena/S1031291.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/547393_268934853204693_149724071792439_516071_1847886199_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/542514_268934763204702_149724071792439_516069_1279944124_n.jpg

Will this new arena get naming rights?

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/PublishingImages/Level%203%20page%20images/Aerial%20photograph%20of%20Leeds%20Arena%20(7).jpg

http://www.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000uj1IeADaklE/s/600/400/SKM8396.jpg

any new update?

^^

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98512131&postcount=6069

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98524387&postcount=6077

thanks

the truth is that this 'thing' is bul**** and outdated :bash:

how to waste money like that? The example of a boxe match reflects all the bad of this project! you have people at the last ring who won't see the boxers :ohno:

A disapointing project for a city i don't know the life in general.
we are miles away from the actual standards (o2 arena etc...)

ok

It'll host some sports events, but the vast majority of events at this arena will be music concerts, which is the reason behind the design.

The Leeds Arena will have the United Kingdom’s first purpose built fan-shape arena design with a contemporary and innovative layout where all seats face the performance area.

Whereas traditional arenas have four sides of seating around a sports pitch, the Leeds Arena will have one large super-theatre seating bowl that fans out from the stage.

This unique design will offer:

• every spectator a perfect view of centre stage regardless of the seat location: every seat will be the best seat in the house;

• a maximum distance from centre stage of 68 metres as opposed to 95-110 metres at traditional arenas;

• the best acoustic experience of any large arena venue in the country.
Why a fan-shaped design?

• 90-95% of arena shows are now entertainment on a stage at one end of the arena, but nearly all arenas are designed with sporting events in mind. As a result nearly all seats are facing a sports pitch at entertainment events, not the stage. A fan-shaped arena makes a better experience for many spectators.

Z98wLIzwuOI

last tiers is too high

Every seat will face the stage?

Wow!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8352680731_fd584e90f6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazygamer/8352680731/)
Leeds Arena (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazygamer/8352680731/) by lazygamer (http://www.flickr.com/people/lazygamer/), on Flickr

http://i48.tinypic.com/2gse3vl.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/35i2jjr.jpg

Why Basket-ball and handball aren't developed in UK ?

Why Basket-ball and handball aren't developed in UK ?

Basketball is but slowly because the league is broadcast on skysports and not on one of the main network. If it were on 1-5 or freeview telly it would grow has a sport. Handball is a long way away from getting a fan base tho being at the olympics did help the sport.

skysport isn't a main broadcast?!are you sure

With the premier league? They all the medias (sun,mirror etc...)

the truth is that this 'thing' is bul**** and outdated :bash:

how to waste money like that? The example of a boxe match reflects all the bad of this project! you have people at the last ring who won't see the boxers :ohno:

A disapointing project for a city i don't know the life in general.
we are miles away from the actual standards (o2 arena etc...)

Not really bad ^^

skysport isn't a main broadcast?!are you sure

With the premier league? They all the medias (sun,mirror etc...)

When I said Main broadcaster I was talking about the 1-5 channels which would bring in more views than having it on sky because its subscription channel

They are starting to add the lighting scheme to Leeds Arena now
url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8468209963/]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8468209963_a92a88850c_b.jpg[/url]
DSC02570 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8468209963/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8469302796_ef5d5d35cc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8469302796/)
DSC02571 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8469302796/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8468205799_efa785fd22_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8468205799/)
DSC02572 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8468205799/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8469298612_e43da38a08_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8469298612/)
DSC02573 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/8469298612/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

v4pt20jllrc

3ZBeF3BZw10

87OfsbYNYvI

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3181/48383839733176036500155.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/48383839733176036500155.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8816/bhgjmstcmaajl5x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/bhgjmstcmaajl5x.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/4026/leedsarena8web.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/246/leedsarena15web.jpg

http://leeds-list.com/an-inside-look-at-leeds-arena/

360 view:

http://360.io/gvrWNg

good for concerts but bad for sports event :mad:

good for concerts but bad for sports event :mad:

Yeah, hence the reason it was designed that way, as concerts will be the vast majority of events it'll host. Bristol could also be getting a similar type venue, too.

Looks awful.

I protest, this is not an arena this is an amphitheatre!

Wow, thats an odd design in this day and age. What is the intended main use?

Even if it's main use is for concerts, it looks poorly designed with a number of noticeable failures. The vast majority of large touring shows load and construct the stage and rigging from multiple semi-trailers. There does not appear to be any way to drive a large truck onto the floor, let alone more than one at a time.
The roof does not appears to be designed to hang large and heavy concert rigs and speakers. There are no catwalks to provide access.
The first row of seats are too low. If a 1.5 to 2m high stage is constructed on the floor. The first row would be unusable.

As I said, it is a strange and limited design.

Well I don't like to pick holes in your argument about big trucks being able to drive in, but you see that MASSIVE door on the back wall of the Arena? That is where trucks can drive in and out. The fire doors next to it are at least 2m high, a european trailer will be maximum 4.5m high. That door is plenty big enough for it to poke its @rse end in. Its not like its a long way to where the stage needs to be set up is it!

Also this is Arena caters for exactly what it needs to - Concerts, like it or not Arena sports are not well supported in this country and the view here will be a lot better than level 4 at the O2 for concerts, boxing will be fine here too as would WWE etc. The big back wall gives opportunity for creative event promoters to use large widescreen LED displays to jazz it up too

From the Leeds Arena Facebook page:

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2276/57982816.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/1327/34033994.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img571/2504/69222725.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1299/capturelkc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/capturelkc.jpg/)

https://en-gb.facebook.com/LeedsArena/photos_stream

iQQam7jAKBo