Something for you arty types to work with.

Sorry about the focus being a bit out, but taking a photo with an SLR whilst driving isn't easy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/BWPconst.jpg

You probably need anti-blur (Sony) or Optical Image Stabiliser (Panasonic)

No, I need to stop the car and pull over ;)

I drove past this morning and didnt even notice that, my eyes were fixed on BWP aswell (as always)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/BWPconst.jpg

Great scoop Stig. But, oo-er, I hope we aren't going to see more grey plastic masquerading as titanium or aluminium.

What I said to BWP yesterday - "My God. You're so white. You ever seen a guy so white, Marge?"

I hope it's only a primer.

Great scoop Stig. But, oo-er, I hope we aren't going to see more grey plastic masquerading as titanium or aluminium.

What I said to BWP yesterday - "My God. You're so white. You ever seen a guy so white, Marge?"

I hope it's only a primer.

I went past today and it didn't look that great close up. Not as shiny and metallic as I was expecting but there did seem to be a "plastic" element to it... Hope I'm wrong.

I'm not going to panic just yet, but after stating boldly that the whole scheme could swing on how good the metal cladding is, I'm starting to feel a might uneasy...

It has to be said, some of the more recent renderings give the main tower a slightly, dare i say it... GREY look. (cue Bernard Hermann's score from that well-known Hitchcock film)

tis all too early to tell. Where's Aviator and his lunch time walks when you need him!

Cautiously optimistic on this. Very much like the stone, they can't knadge it up on the curved tower front can they?

I can confirm it is disturbingly grey and not at all shiny as shown in the early renders! However after double checking the bwp website

http://www.bridgewaterplaceleeds.com/

The cladding does seem to match the image on the site.

Having seen it now, I think this is exactly the sort of building where the GRAY look actually works. I think it will look quite good, I am happy with it. A curvy GRAY looks better than the flat gray look.

Any thoughts?

Stig282 your wish is my command! I can only work with the picture you have posted so here it is....

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/bwp_art.jpg

Not the greatest artistic work but it is after midnight. If someone posts a better picture i'll spend more time improving the image. :)

well, "anodised aluminium" IS silvery-grey FFS! when the sun shines on it - and the intervening windows - it will reflect like billy-oh. i mean, what was eveyone expecting, a polished mirror-like surface?

I dont think it looks that bad.. actually I think it looks quite good =/

well, "anodised aluminium" IS silvery-grey FFS! when the sun shines on it - and the intervening windows - it will reflect like billy-oh. i mean, what was eveyone expecting, a polished mirror-like surface?

I was more concerned about the plastic effect really. However, all is well. I went past today because I was fretting so much about it and they've added a bit more and removed the protective film and it looks a lot better. I think it's the same stuff K2 is clad with. I also had a look at the atrium properly, it's really impressive. No worries at all now, this is going to look brilliant.

It did have a re-design during the long delays, to add a strip of balconies. It had to be altered to cut costs if i remember rightly.

http://www.leedsconstructionlink.co.uk/734BridgewaterPlace_pic1.jpg http://www.gardiner.com/NewsSystem/newsimages/bridgewater2.jpg http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38235000/jpg/_38235194_bridgewaterplace150.jpg

Despite fearing a Park Plaza grey stripe moment, I'm not panicking just yet. We;re still getting a good design, and compared to another Aedas scheme currently under construction, Birmingham's Masshouse, the quality of the cladding is fairly decent.

http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/bridgewater.gif http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/bridgewater.jpg

I can't be really reflective; it would blind drivers! So really it is the expected colour

I was more concerned about the plastic effect really. However, all is well. I went past today because I was fretting so much about it and they've added a bit more and removed the protective film and it looks a lot better. I think it's the same stuff K2 is clad with. I also had a look at the atrium properly, it's really impressive. No worries at all now, this is going to look brilliant.

The highlighted bit could be crucial!
Will get more pics as and when i am able.

It doesn't need to be reflective, the light and shading effect on the curved part will only work if it's not too reflective. We also need to wait until the cladding is much higher and for some brighter weather. Large curved facades never fail to look good in the right lighting, I'm looking forward to seeing this in the flesh.

This is going to look very good.About time Leeds had something of decent height :yes:

Yet another building clad in grey panels then. At least we know what the name is though.... I'm going to look out for 'anodised aluminium panels' in future applications and subject an objection if they feature.

aluminium isn't a particularly shiny metal anyway, especially if its been anodised.

Yet another building clad in grey panels then. At least we know what the name is though.... I'm going to look out for 'anodised aluminium panels' in future applications and subject an objection if they feature.

In this case the anodised aluminium should look okay and it was probably the correct material for the job. However, there are too many buildings, particularly blocky buildings being built with this material that really look quite drab to say the least. So I agree it does need nipping in the bud now, unless the quality of the design looks good.

Well they can't exactly use unanodised aluminium! It would have to be steel I suppose. What other buildings are clad in anodised aluminium? K2 isn't- I found out what it was clad in a while ago; some chemical thing makes it change shade. Park Plaza isn't; I don't think; where is?

I suppose it doesn't look so bad in small panels. It's just when huge areas of the stuff are used that the problems start. Just look at the Northern face of west point or the back of the cobbetts building.

Anodising doesn't need to be dull grey every time either. They could at least be original and use some different shades or colours. How about BWP in orange aluminium cladding? lol

In answer to your question no.1, K2, princess exchange, west point, park plaza, tower house, cobbetts plus most of the other whitehall road designs seam to feature it. Maybe clarence house as well? We'll see.

Well anodising will always dull the colour- oxygen isn't gonna change colour. I think some buildings would look good in more exciting colours- blue metallic, red metallic... but probably in small parts or on smaller buildings. It would have to be used well.

Saw it today, I dont think aluminium cladding looks bad, however the windows do have a plasticy feel to them.

You touched them?
;)

up close and personal :D

Sunday:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/xapbpoh/photos/bwp06march1.JPG

http://members.lycos.co.uk/xapbpoh/photos/bwp06march2.JPG

Great pictures Talisker. I'm going to take some pictures from where I work, in the Kirgate Market building on the top floor. Some pretty impressive unseen views methinks.....

Always wondered what was in there
fantastic looking building!

Look forward to them Liam.

Sunday:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/xapbpoh/photos/bwp06march1.JPG



Great angle, I'm liking the shape of the tower, but the low-rise section I can take or leave.

I'm starting to think I can leave the whole thing to be honest...

I'm starting to think I can leave the whole thing to be honest...

If the cladding's not up to a high standard generally, it could end up looking pretty average. It's certainly not turning out the be the shiny, 'space-age' tower that was expected, more of a 1 City Square calibre building (not bad in itself, but could do much better).

I'm starting to think I can leave the whole thing to be honest...
Umm, what do you mean exactly Stig?

I'm coming to the conclusion that this forum is nothing but a whinge-fest. I mean, what did you expect Stig? What do any of us expect of these things? It's a tall building. With apartments and offices. To make money for the developers/investors.

It's not a public-financed wank-fest of architectural boundary redefinition. Get over it.

The only thing that's bugging me at the moment is it's relative isolation. If it was in city square surrounded on all sides by other mid rises it would look much more impressive. At the moment it looks a bit lonely on the south side with only a few low rise office bloks to keep it company. Hopefully as the area south of the river denses up it should enhance the effect of the tower.

The Asda HQ is bugging me most. It's a big suburban looking blob on what is a prime city centre site, and it just looks awkward sat over the road from BWP. The land it sits on must be worth a fortune, so hopefully they'll build a taller building for themselves, and sell off the rest of the land. The building looks quite new though, so it doesn't seem likely :( But how great would it be to have another 100m+building sat across the road where the ASDA site is at the moment?

Once HUV gets going BWP wont seem so isolated, I know what you mean though and I agree... I get the same impression whilst coming in on the m-way (dont know which one, but BWP is on the left, if you carry on it goes to stourton etc)

M621 :) I agree too, however it's nothing to worry about considering the amount of proposals in the area- the city centre will inevitably expand out this way. Agree about ASDA- I don't mind the building but yes it is prime land.

Umm, what do you mean exactly Stig?

I'm coming to the conclusion that this forum is nothing but a whinge-fest. I mean, what did you expect Stig? What do any of us expect of these things? It's a tall building. With apartments and offices. To make money for the developers/investors.

It's not a public-financed wank-fest of architectural boundary redefinition. Get over it.

I'm not whinging magic - just stating my personal taste.
I seem to be cursed with a higher than average level of artisitic integrity & appetite. Unfortunately this isn't being matched by the developments currently being built in Leeds. I get a little frustrated when opportunities for achitectural magnificence go a begging for the sake of investors & developers ever deepening pockets.
However I am happy that KWL finally seems to have grown a backbone and put his balls and money where his mouth is and plan something of significance for the city which has turned him from a roofer into a millionaire - aka LaLumiere (stupid f***ing name for a future British icon though!). Just a shame he didn't do it sooner.

As time goes on I regret more and more being the piss-head I was & not finishing my architecture degree. And at the moment I feel especially justified in my wrath when faced with bland mediocrity day in day out.
Right now we're no where near to getting even a sniff of a century defining "wank-fest of architectural boundary redefinition" (elegantly put I may add).

I simply wish we were.

I suppose it couldn't be 'The Light' because that's already taken. So it had to be 'La Lumiere'

As time goes on I regret more and more being the piss-head I was & not finishing my architecture degree. And at the moment I feel especially justified in my wrath when faced with bland mediocrity day in day out.

Except extortionate fees and a crap quality of life, there's nothing to stop you from going back to uni, if it's what you really want to do.

A pic taken today

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4007/img02251hg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/BWP3-4-06.jpg

Well everybody seems to be slating the grey metallic cladding but I like it - i contrasts with the stone well, and they don't seem to be using too much of it. I think Bridgewater is shaping up very nicely.

Nice view Stig.

Can somebody please get a close up shot - I no longer live in Leeds and I'm desperate to see what the cladding looks like.

I'm down that end of town today - will take a plethora of shots.
Just hope the sun doesn't spoil them like it normally does.

Nice one, Stig.
The cladding's a lot better from that angle.

I just wonder whether BWP will have that skyscraper look about it, or whether it'll be more like a tall version of a commonplace office block. Either way, it's better than the patch of wasteground of a few years ago.

Anyone know what the thrree-storey block is across the road to BWP, and how vulnerable is it to redevelopment?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/BWP3-4-06.jpg

Stig282 just borrowed your picture there I hope you don't mind, i've lightened it up a little...... :)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/stig282_bwp.jpg

I had actually already played with the brightness and contrast - its was quite difficult taking a quick snap into direct sunlight with no filters!

Feel free to play around with any of the pics I post.
I'm certainly not going to copywrite them like some tightwads who go around photographing Leeds (unless I take one that is so awesome every man and his dog wants it!)

Keep forgetting to bring my camera to work so I can take some great views I get from in the Kirgate market offices. I vow to correct this!

Here we go:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/b810084e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/435c09f4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/85d55bf3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/21a038e2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/77c35076.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/aec31edc.jpg

Great photos there Stig. The silver look is working for me, it really is coming on in leaps and bounds.

Excellent photos Stig !

Yeah I really like the aluminium too... and those who say it's not shiny enough- do you really expect it to be shiny if its anodised (and it can't exactly be unprotected aluminium). I like it; windows look good too.

im loving everything about this tower its surpassed my expectations. i love the design the curved face and the sloping away are just brilliant. The one are in which it may have faltered was the cladding and to me that looks mint!!! loving it

it does seem to be coming on very slowly tho.... but its coming on strong!!!!

That's true it is coming on slowly but oh well! Better than not at all; its quite an exciting, modern cladding that hasn't been seen much in the regional cities. I say that because it reminds me of some of the materials used in London; Lloyds, 1 Canada Sq. Are they anodised aluminium or not? Anyawy, looks good.

I like it - this is going to sound like a poor cliche, but the counterpoint between the reconstituted stone (portland stone perhaps, and a tip towards the Civic Hall maybe) and the aluminium could work. Not home till mid May, but looking forward to seeing it in the flesh and making my mind up then.

Epic photos stig! Top banana.

Top work Stig, I was in agony before these photos.
There's nowt wrong with the cladding after all. Phew.

I've been experimenting with taking photos with my digital camera from my upstairs bedroom window (out here in Horsforth), with a makeshift tele-photo lens (a pair of old binoculars carefully lined up with the camera lens), about 4 - 4.5 miles away as the crow flies.

Not bad eh ? This method will allow me to get updated photos on any sunny day whenever I like, I just have to pop upstairs.

I can do this for Bridgewater place and all the future developments coming to the west end of Leeds, however I can only see the top half of the Clarence House cranes, K2, Tower House etc due to a little blockage in the way ... Kirkstall.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid203/p87d00e94a32dd687d948cee4008f0a1d/ef8e6cca.jpg

Rob, your going to have a cracking view of all the developments from there. What a fantastic view!

You lucky bugger wish I had a view like that from my bedroom window!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/webcams/bridgewater_place_webcam.shtml What's the white box thing that seems to be on top of the already constructed floors? Are they just more floors or what?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/webcams/bridgewater_place_webcam.shtml What's the white box thing that seems to be on top of the already constructed floors? Are they just more floors or what?

It's a big advertising hoarding, clearly the highest in Yorkshire.

As for the view from here, it's really good, I've always picked a house with a view but this one really tops the rest.

Oh... whats it advertising? Who's gonna see it from up there =/ and even if they do, most will be drivers I'm guessing- the sort that should be watching the road!

I can't remember what its advertising at the moment, some financial service or other I think but it will probably change from time to time.

It can be seen quite nicely from around Hunslet Road when heading west.

The large "skywalks" are going in at the wide end of the atrium. They look really good. In fact, BWP looks really good in general when you're close to it.

I had a look today; went into Leeds this morning (was gonna go to Harrogate but then decided not to). It looked quite good- starting to come together.

The advertising hoarding is part of a new formwork system the contractor is trying out to reduce the risk of things blowing off the building in high wind. Screens will be erected right round the floor plate enclosing the floor being constructed. The screens will climb as the floors are constructed.

BPL are taking advantage of the system to sell some advertising space. The advertising banners will also reduce the wind blowing across the floors.

The contractor has lost time this week due to wind. Look out for the flags flying off the pole on the end of the site cabins. Blue = no big lifts, Red = no lifts at all, Black= site evacuated (at high level).

Is anybody able to assist? How do I go about including images with a post. If I use the insert image icon I just get a box asking me to format script.

u put a web address into that box
u need to have your pix on the web
you can store them for free at www.imageshack.us - it gives you a weblink to put in that box

Hey guys, new here...so for my first post thought I'd start with some pics of BWP

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp1.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp3.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp4.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp5.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp6.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp7.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2007-04-06/bwp8.jpg

Welcome jebus, i joined recently too although no one bothered to say hello to me...

Nice photos, it really is becoming an imposing structure, still not sure about the cladding though, looks a bit like something near me, i'd like to have seen floor to ceiling height windows alround, good design though.

Nice to see the walkways - i hadn't noticed those yesterday!

Welcome both of you to SSC.com.

I guess there's going to be a big glass front in front of those walkways?...

Yes this is what i was reffering to earlier when i said it looks like something that i can see outside my living room window:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5356/080420061am.jpg

Would've been nive if they'd carved bwp out of a single piece of steel!!! like the way norwich seems to have been carved out of a single church, they're everywhere, over sixty in the city itself!!!

Just noticed your little signatures over the pictures jobus, Very clever.

I think it looks really good. But wth is that graffiti doing there!?

I think it looks really good. But wth is that graffiti doing there!?

The graffiti is actuall jebus's signature, if you look in all the pictures he's cleverly hidden one in there, even got the perspectives right too, perhaps we can get him on render duties???

How sneaky! And what an encouragement to me, a stereotypical young person looking for a good building to graffiti.

Welcome jebus, i joined recently too although no one bothered to say hello to me...

Nice photos, it really is becoming an imposing structure, still not sure about the cladding though, looks a bit like something near me, i'd like to have seen floor to ceiling height windows alround, good design though.

welcome to you both! The Leeds forum keeps growing in line with the volume of developments. Excellent photos jebus, your signature for some reason reminds a bit of the works of Banksy.

there will be a glass wall (curtain perhaps!?!) in front of the walkways in the atrium. Its really coming together rather well. Still strange to see the concrete tower taking so long to form, but with favourable weather conditions I hope they'd have finished the main formwork by mid summer perhaps.

I think it looks really good. But wth is that graffiti doing there!?

class No.1 - you guarantee me a wry smile from time to time. I thought the same on the first image, but then clicked fairly quickly (i.e., by the second ;) )

Well I noticed it wasnt there in the 3rd image! So it made me think maybe Jebus did it if it got there so quickly =/ Dont laugh!

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/59/atrium4jv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/6448/viewfrom19thfloor8fo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Photo of East block taken from 19th floor

Thanks for the welcomes. The jebus tag is just something I did in Illustrator, its a stencil design (kinda like what banksy does) of the Jesus character from the film Dogma. Thought I'd tag the pictures I post instead of just putting a signature on them.

I quite like BWP, the cladding looks pretty good. I know what mean Skid-Mark about it looking similar to the building in your pic. But I think that the cladding used on BWP is more reflective so it should look good, also its got a good design.

Was looking at the old render of BWP, it seems that cladding on the design is very similar to what they're using now.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/7964/bridgewater67xf.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/4909/734bridgewaterplacepic32cu.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/59/atrium4jv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That photo reminds of a study we did on my course about a Wyatt Hotel in Kansas City which had a similar style bridge layout colapse in the 1970's in which 114 poor souls were lost. The design had been to hang tension rods all the way down, and hang each bridge off the hanging tension rods, one above the other similar to that photo. But someone changed the design during construction as they couldn't get rods that were long enough, so they made one to span each floor level bridge, and joined them at each level but on a separate part of the bridge support beams. The result was that all the decks were hanging off the top bridge support beams rather than on the whole tie rods, and to make matters worse, each were connected by drilling through a rubbish fabricated beam (box section made from two channels welded toe to toe, with the hole drilled through the welded seam) and hung with one stopper nut ! Of course the whole lot came down causing absolute carnage, and it happened only when fully loaded with people during a major dance event.

The lessons have been learned now and such mistakes are unheard of now, so no need to panic, it just struck me as looking much like the same layout.

Well I noticed it wasnt there in the 3rd image! So it made me think maybe Jebus did it if it got there so quickly =/ Dont laugh!

I think if you look at the 3rd image you'll find it on top of a wall in the fore-ground at the bottom of the pic, it's like finding wally!!!

Back on topic though, i really like this design, it reminds me a bit of an aircraft carrier, in a good way (and with a better turning circle)

Is it me or is the final acsent up the lift shaft underway?

Noticed this afternoon whilst walking past the Nail Bar on the first floor of departures at the airport, you can actually see Bridgewater from there! (just left of the wind sock as you look out:-)

Just noticed whilst getting a Starbucks upstairs on the bridge in Leeds City Station there there is a really good view of Bridgewater Place from here. If anyone is next up there they could take a picture as it is a really good position for a picture of this tower. Didn't want to take a picture as there was a trainspotter right next to me at the time.

Just noticed whilst getting a Starbucks upstairs on the bridge in Leeds City Station there there is a really good view of Bridgewater Place from here. If anyone is next up there they could take a picture as it is a really good position for a picture of this tower. Didn't want to take a picture as there was a trainspotter right next to me at the time.

Yes I know exactly where you mean, i've taken a few pics with my mobile from there. It's a great view.

http://bridgewaterlive.aql.com/bridgewater.jpg

BWP's starting to look good from the train approach, if a little pasty.

It is amazing all the parts of Leeds you can see this tower from. It's visible from the merrion centre too if you go down the side and look up towards St Johns car park and also down regent street from the other end of town

BWP is really coming to life now. The cladding looks very good and the tower element seems to be growing nicely. I guess they are concentrating on the lower elements in the main as they have assured Eversheds that they will be in by December. I presume they can worry about finishing everything else once the main tenants are in place.

Speaking to some customers in nottingham the other day they said that they have never seen such a change in leeds. I took them round the city about three years ago and they have said that it seems completely changed since then. I guess that coming on this forum every bloody day makes things seem a little slow, whereas if you left the city for two or three years and came back you would be very surprised.

Indeed you would Typhoo. I got back from Sweden in December after 6 years - huge changes have taken place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/2005_04200007.jpg

Thats a nice picture. Shows how big it really is; the lower part is quite big and bulky really! I like it :)

The cladding is looking quite good aswell to say how dreary it was when the picture was taken, I can't wait to see the tower fully clad in the sun, should look superb.

Yeah, this week hasn't been the best weather for photos, but I take whatever opportunities I get.

Congratulations Stig......

......but wait until Molly gets hold of you, posting pictures that big. It takes bloody ages for my dinosaur to load them!

sorry, I forgot al about the woes of dialup as I do most of my uploading at work on superfast broadband and big monitors

A couple of shots from earlier today...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/sax0vtr/Stuff/bridgew.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/sax0vtr/Stuff/bridgew2.jpg

Here's a distant view of BWP taken from Horsforth (my upstairs window) today (using my makeshift WWII binoculars telephoto lens).

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid204/p1ac563f36e14cf856e3bc426ad74d845/ef4e281f.jpg



http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid204/pc971a0f98372bc6d29aa3a622d41ced0/ef4e3afc.jpg

great shots, so thanks to both of you. The office element is really coming on, I like the continuous glass strip down the side.

Rob, are you going to be able to see the site of La Lumiere from your window?

DEFINATELY ! :)

Things seem to have gone a bit quiet on this front so I thought I'd take advantage of Fridqay's sunshine and dust down the old Instamatic.

As you can see from this first shot, the residential floors don't seem to have moved much in recent weeks (I think they're on the 19th or 20th storey). By the way, the orange excavator in the foreground is working on the site that Simons Estates have bought between City Walk and Linfoot's Manor Mills development. I think they're just putting in sewage and drainage at the moment but, once it gets under way, there's a 20-storey block planned for this site.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/28%20April%202006/P1010166.jpg




However, I think most of the work is going on at the lower level where the office accommodation will be. I suppose it's possible to have that ready for occupation and continue working on the residential floors after the office workers have moved in. Someone will no doubt tell me if I'm wrong.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/28%20April%202006/P1010168.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/28%20April%202006/P1010169.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/28%20April%202006/P1010178.jpg

Nice pictures Aviator. The office section is progressing really well and I like the cladding on the tower.
Do we know any more about the 20 storey block nearby?

Great pics. It looks the real deal.

Excelant pictures. It's starting to look good in the flesh.

They may well be accelerating the office element at the cost of the tower because that is to be occupied long before the residential part, so they can be fitting the office out while the residential structure is being finished, and can be fitting the residential units out when the office is occupied.

It looks amazingly similar to the renders. I really like the way how the base podium level seems so substantial from several sides. I thought that it would detract from the tower, but somehow it seems to anchor it - still has that ocean liner / cruise ship feel to it, particularly with the shots from the river!! The interior atrium is smaller and darker than I remember, but it is difficult to judge this until is is completed. I like the bridge walkways on the north side (with the larger arched one at the top!), which will look great behind glass and lit up at night.

In terms of construction programme, I would imagine that everything is being thrown at floors 5 - 8, which I think are the ones Eversheds are moving into towards the end of this year. I am sure that they will have some very srict completion clauses in their rental contract, and now that we can see how it looks, I imagine they are very keen to get in there. The two smaller cranes would have to be removed by this stage, as they come down into the atrium, but the larger one is outside the structure on the west side.

Heres a few pics I took of BWP from a car over the weekend:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/d6ca86d3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/750368ee.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/9b46bc71.jpg

passed BWP today, and the bronze effect cladding on the curved tower looked fantastic shining in the strong sunlight. This building is looking smarter by the day, can't wait the finished product with spire and all.

.....Do we know any more about the 20 storey block nearby?

There's nothing much to show at the moment, and I haven't seen any renders for the project. Manor Road, though, will look totally different from the half-derelict wasteland you see today. As you go along from Victoria Road, you will have the new Simons Estates development, complete with 20-storey tower, followed immediately by Linfoot's Manor Mills.

http://www.manor-mills.co.uk/fireworks/images/holdingpage_r1_c1.jpg

After this will come Bush Holdings' development by Architecture 2B

http://www.architecture2b.com/images/stories/project_images/manor-road.jpg

Then at the end of the street lies the massive Temple Mills complex, currently having detailed plans drawn up.

Sorry, folks, I should have put this into the Holbeck Urban Village thread.

thanks for the photos - the top does seem to have slowed and its a bit strange that they've felt the need to advertise BWP at the top. I'd have thought that all the apartments were sold off plan, so not sure why they still seems to be marketing, but then perhaps its for the remaining office element.

Looking forward to my train journey next Friday......seeing this on the way into the station will be great.

Maybe just advertising coz they can- publicity and stuff.

http://i3.tinypic.com/xbliww.jpg

Thanks for that picture PhilBee, can't always tell what's going on at the current working floor behind all that screening. It seems a little over complexed and elaborate, considering it'll all have to be slid up floor by floor as it progresses.

After walking around Leeds all afternoon, my feet had started to blister by this point, hence the non adventurous views. It was still well worth seeing gleaming in the summer sun.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/bwp1_may.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/bwp2_may.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/bwp_tunnel.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/bwp_tunnel.jpg

Seems fairly adventurous to me. Great stuff.

Smartcity, thanks for the pics. I had a similar idea to yours, the weather being what it was. I especially like the shot you got from Granary Wharf; tried a similar shot to yours but mine was pants.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/11%20May%202006/P1010199.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/11%20May%202006/P1010201.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/11%20May%202006/P1010205.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/11%20May%202006/P1010217.jpg

A selection of many that I took on Sunday. They were working.......and seems the floor cage seems to have slipped upwards one floor or so. Shouldn't be long till the glass frontages go on to the atriums.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6210/img07604ni.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/9007/img07640op.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/642/img07679ac.jpg

eeeek, seem to have lost the ability to focus. Bugger, better luck in 4 weeks time when I get home again.

Like the Dark Arches shot smartcity. aviator - quality as usual.

Like this render of BWP not seen it before, if anything I think the real thing looks even better:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/b06d51d9.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/750368ee.jpg

Nice pictures guys. It's great to be able to keep track of progress while you'e out of town, so thanks again.

Yeah I agree; the real thing is better than the render for once. Funny I say that coz recently alot of people have said various things are better than the renders! Improvement in building recently? I'm worried that Portland Stone might become the new terractotta though but oh well.

http://www.viewfirst.co.uk/flash/index.htm
Video of the construction of Bridgewater Place from the webcam. Viewfirst provide the webcam that is seen on the BBC.

A small child on the train approaching Leeds - "Look at that big tower (BWP)! Wow! Look at the size of that crane!"

Quite liked the Whitehall office block this time, and i noticed the portland stone offices opposite Victoria Gardens are getting a much needed clean. There's a lot of stuff in Leeds I didn't like before but which has really grown on me - Basilica, the corn Exchange tiled block, etc.

lol. I actually liked Basillica from the start; anyhow its better than before!

Cladding and floors coming on well again after a pause on the exterior recently.

..

Yep, looks like they're motoring again, soon be at the top.

Yep, looks like they're motoring again, soon be at the top.

Well, by my reckoning, they're working on the 23rd storey now. Meanwhile at ground level, the protective covering over the Victoria Road pavement has come down, along with much of the hoarding beside it.

I may be thinking too much of my creature comforts but I can't wait to hear details of the restaurant/bar operators who may be setting up in the building. Given the number of suits Eversheds will be moving in, we can assume it won't be Yates's and Pizza Hut.

A establishment of "Bibi's Criterion" quality, would do well in here I think.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/bridgewaterplace/ Just found this. It is a must see- there are some fantastic photo's of Bridgewater Place and if you search Leeds Skyline there are some quite impressive images. I'm sure there are plenty more examples of photography in Leeds to find here!

They all planned for the lower floors? Anything specific planned for the very top floor? I guess the penthouse apartment. I would love to see a restaurant on the top floor of BWP, Lumiere or Criterion... I think there's one planned on floor 40 of City One but nothing has happened with that for AGES.

At the top of Criterion will be an Indoor Garden and on the smaller tower a viewing platform aka not a restaurant.

Seems weird to have the viewing platform on top of the shorter tower... I guess the garden will be private for residents.

Yes. If there is an increase in height though then I'm sure it won't be as weird! Isn't the smaller tower hotel? I think- cant remember from the plans; I dont think residents in the larger tower would like thousands of people crowding their lifts every day.

Cool.

http://static.flickr.com/33/102142957_f373bc3a2d.jpg?v=0

Very Cool - great pic! Amazing how dark it is behind, but how well the sun hits all the buildings.

I didnt want to post any of the pics incase the photographers didn't approve... They look quite interested in architecture and construction; should invite them onto here.

Here's another...

http://static.flickr.com/46/148623866_d9a5571b1b.jpg?v=0


and a comment from a guy in Halifax.

http://www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

They can't keep the new wealth and the old poverty apart in Leeds like they can in bigger cities. So the lawyers and footballers wives have to rub along side feral youths, crack addicts and drunks as they head for Harvey Nichols to do lunch.

Oh, Leeds' pretensions!!! Mwah, mwah, mwah.

:hahano: Get back to the Uni, you cheeky sod.

"They can't keep the new wealth and the old poverty apart in Leeds like they can in bigger cities. So the lawyers and footballers wives have to rub along side feral youths, crack addicts and drunks as they head for Harvey Nichols to do lunch."

New wealth and old poverty?? Whoever wrote that should read Edith Wharton, if he or she has ever heard of her.

..

This tower is really starting to impress. Although it still seems to have been underconstruction for an age. Looks like its going to turn out as promised in the renders too. They seemed to spend yonks on the core, but now that the claddings going on its really flying.

Now that BWP is looking more and more impressive, Blue nearby is looking more and more miserable... So awfully cheap! Hope it gets covered by Granary Wharf soon.

"They can't keep the new wealth and the old poverty apart in Leeds like they can in bigger cities. So the lawyers and footballers wives have to rub along side feral youths, crack addicts and drunks as they head for Harvey Nichols to do lunch."

Just another bum comment from some mixed up person, no doubt another case of loyalty jealousy. Just ignore :)

Its a weird tower to watch go up because its possibly one of the only current towers going up that isnt just glass cladding, theres something... unusual about it, just due to it breaking from the expected look of a 21st century highrise in the UK.. Looks a bit continental, like from Frankfurt or La Defense perhaps.. Be very interesting to see it finished :)

I noticed today that dissapointingly BWP looks smaller than City House viewed from New Station Street nr. Gateway Yorkshire. I know its kinda obvious it would but still; furthermore it looks quite small from the train- its a pity; I know though from ground level it looks quite tall; unfourtanetly its geographical position doesn't emphasise its height though.

Heres a pic I took of BWP yesterday has I passed by in a car, looking very nice!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/19d4f7e2.jpg

www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/webcams/bridgewater_place_webcam.shtml

How many floors do you think its at now- its hard to tell from the webcam I find...

Im curently a contractor at bridgewater,even though the project is running behind programme at the moment,i can assure you that the completion will be october this year,this is mainly down to the overhaul of the majority of the construction team in my opinion,the main cog of the team being from oz also the good grafting contractors working around the clock to bring this job back up to date .On many of the floors the fit out is well on the way and on one of the levels there was a couple of plasterers actually finishing off the walls.the main structure is concrete up to about 23/24 at the moment but moving very quickly

Fantastic news Guffer - welcome to SSC!

Always nice to have someone involved tell us exactly how it is, rather than us lot just speculating and ruminating over what something looks like it is!

Please keep us up to date!

Fantastic news Guffer - welcome to SSC!

Always nice to have someone involved tell us exactly how it is, rather than us lot just speculating and ruminating over what something looks like it is!

Please keep us up to date!

i agree
welcome to SSC guffer.

3 cheers for guffer! Hip hip!

The completion you mentioned for October this year is that for the residential part or just the offices....? I have an appartment on the 11th floor of this development and keen to find out completion of the residential section, KW linfoot said there would be an update April/May but nothing has come through yet.. :runaway:

Well, Friday being a quiet day in the office and an example of cloudless perfection, I thought it was time to get out the box brownie and post the latest position on Bridgewater Place.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010010.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010011.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010012.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010013.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010014.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010016.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/2%20June%202006/P1010018.jpg

..

epic photos aviator - good lord, the sunshine and blue sky just makes such a difference. It was peeing it down 3 weeks ago when I was home last.

The concrete superstructure has clearly sped up recently, and the office element (aside from the rooftop bits) looks virtually externally complete.

canal, canal barge avec BWP - marvellous.

Part of Victoria road was closed today - looked like they were putting a new crane up/taking one down (?)
Will know when I'm in town tomorrow.

Part of Victoria road was closed today - looked like they were putting a new crane up/taking one down (?)
Will know when I'm in town tomorrow.

Taking one down - the smallest one that was hardly visible from the road.

When is the tower due for completion externally at least?? IT seems to have been under construction for ever!

Im curently a contractor at bridgewater,even though the project is running behind programme at the moment,i can assure you that the completion will be october october this year!
(taken from previous post)

Im curently a contractor at bridgewater,even though the project is running behind programme at the moment,i can assure you that the completion will be october october this year!
(taken from previous post)
Is That for the residential & Commercial part totally completed..!!!! Or is that just the external part of the structure..?? :cheers:

I recently visited Beetham tower in Manchester, and was impressed by it. However, I found that whilst it looks monstrously big from a large distance, once you are stood next to it it doesnt seem to have quite the same impact.
Bridgewater place seems the opposite to this, whereby it doesnt look that huge on the webcam or from outside of the city centre, but once you are stood looking up at it it seems massive.
Also, not only is the tower itself big, but the whole scale of the building, including the office section, seems massive, and is almost behemoth like when you are approaching it up Globe Road.

I recently visited Beetham tower in Manchester, and was impressed by it. However, I found that whilst it looks monstrously big from a large distance, once you are stood next to it it doesnt seem to have quite the same impact.
Bridgewater place seems the opposite to this, whereby it doesnt look that huge on the webcam or from outside of the city centre, but once you are stood looking up at it it seems massive.
Also, not only is the tower itself big, but the whole scale of the building, including the office section, seems massive, and is almost behemoth like when you are approaching it up Globe Road.

I disagree completely with this, I think from a distance (like on the pic below) BWP looks much taller than it does up close and Manchesters Beetham tower looks even taller when your stood right next too it than it does from most distances.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/11%20May%202006/P1010217.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/ManchesterBeethamPanosml.jpg

one crane gone already...too soon in my opinion,and the 2 hoist on west elevation(the halifax building side)will be going very shortly soon as well probably the end of next week.The fit out of the resi block 11 to 30 is due to start begining of july

Just for everyones information BWP will be ready next spring, the externals will be completed as mentioned before. But the residential section will not be ready until spring 2007 at the earliest..

I recently visited Beetham tower in Manchester, and was impressed by it. However, I found that whilst it looks monstrously big from a large distance, once you are stood next to it it doesnt seem to have quite the same impact.
Bridgewater place seems the opposite to this, whereby it doesnt look that huge on the webcam or from outside of the city centre, but once you are stood looking up at it it seems massive.
Also, not only is the tower itself big, but the whole scale of the building, including the office section, seems massive, and is almost behemoth like when you are approaching it up Globe Road.
I agree completely...
Also I noticed that from a distance, the Manc tower almost has a negative impact on the skyline - it is so big it draws the eye, and makes the rest of the skyline seem none existant. Hope Lumiere doesn't have the same effect... Though the smaller twin should help...

I agree completely...
Also I noticed that from a distance, the Manc tower almost has a negative impact on the skyline - it is so big it draws the eye, and makes the rest of the skyline seem none existant. Hope Lumiere doesn't have the same effect... Though the smaller twin should help...

I suppose you have to see Manc Beetham as the first piece of the jigsaw. More will follow to make a more balanced skyline.

..

all round to stevehewis's for a house warming party and the next Leeds Forum meet then. I'd prefer views from the 25th floor, but can't be choosy - 11th sounds great to me. I do a mean jug of Pimms if that might facilitate such a shindig? ;)

all round to stevehewis's for a house warming party and the next Leeds Forum meet then. I'd prefer views from the 25th floor, but can't be choosy - 11th sounds great to me. I do a mean jug of Pimms if that might facilitate such a shindig? ;)

All welcome when it is finally completed..!!!! As long as you bring a bottle or two.... :cheers:

All welcome when it is finally completed..!!!! As long as you bring a bottle or two.... :cheers:

But seriously, congrats on the purchase, it's definitely the prestige Leeds building the moment (until Lumiere and Criterion I'd guess). You'd get fine views from the 11th floor which ever way you're facing. Are you looking west towards Wellington Place / Globe Road, or east over the Asda building towards Clarence Dock? Either way, will be superb.

Just noticed the first cladding on the residential section has gone onto Bridgewater Place when I went into town today. Looks notably different from the office part in that the windows appear about a third less of the height as the office section. Starting to look very vast though which is good as well and turning out very good in design. As for the office element has any tenants other than Eversheds signed up for this yet as surely there must be much demand considering it is a landmark building?

But seriously, congrats on the purchase, it's definitely the prestige Leeds building the moment (until Lumiere and Criterion I'd guess). You'd get fine views from the 11th floor which ever way you're facing. Are you looking west towards Wellington Place / Globe Road, or east over the Asda building towards Clarence Dock? Either way, will be superb.

I am on the curved section facing the canal and train station, can't wait to get it... I bought it back in 2004.. Will get excellent views, wouldn't want to be to high imagine if the lifts fail.... :runaway:

Hunters have some apartments for sale at BWP.

I thought all the apartments had sold in BWP?

I thought i'd bring the link to the webcam forward.

http://bridgewaterlive.aql.com/bridgewater.jpg

It's starting to look rather sexy! :)

Those floors are flying up now, they've just decked up th next level since Monday, and they're pouring concrete on that floor already, at this rate, they should be topping out the main structure (floors) in no more than a couple of months.

I thought all the apartments had sold in BWP?

These will be apartments that are being flipped by investors as the project nears completion.

The cladding on the residential section has started, although they have missed a floor out from cladding- inbetween the office and residential sections- why? Will it be different- all aluminium/all glass here or just the same (ie why didnt they do it with the rest of it as they work up)

Stolen photos from http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/


http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/Image1.jpg



http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/Image2.jpg



This one was titled 'Giant Dalek'

http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/Giant_Dalek.jpg



http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/Taking_Shape.jpg



http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/From_Water_Lane.jpg



http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/photos/09-06-2006/From_Asda_HQ.jpg

Nice pictures.
The whole project seems to be shifting nicely through the gears at the moment, and it's nice to be able to see genuine progress.

On a related note, someone needs to climb up and give the webcam a kick, it seems to be stuck.

..

REALLY?

..

that first photo is superb - its come on so much in the past few weeks. More and more impressed with the stone clad office element, always thought it was a shame the wacky curved first design was rejected, but I think this really complements some of our existing buildings..... No.1 City Square etc, and dare I say it, the Light extension (block with the cinema and Tiger Tiger in.

The tower bulking out is the most gratifying, seems the concrete core has been sticking up on its own since Xmas and its finally getting its floors installed. Can't wait to see it lit up at night with its blue neon lighting.

YEAH THE PICTURE AINT AS CLEAR AS IT USED TO BE.

tis the summer old fruit. Think it might be the surprising occurrence of heat haze. Stranger things have happened, it once rained Minstrels when I was at school over in Fulneck. Strange place Pudsey.

that first photo is superb - its come on so much in the past few weeks. More and more impressed with the stone clad office element, always thought it was a shame the wacky curved first design was rejected, but I think this really complements some of our existing buildings..... No.1 City Square etc, and dare I say it, the Light extension (block with the cinema and Tiger Tiger in.

The tower bulking out is the most gratifying, seems the concrete core has been sticking up on its own since Xmas and its finally getting its floors installed. Can't wait to see it lit up at night with its blue neon lighting.

yeah i prefer the curved design, seems more natural and fun really. i'm not one for loads of straight lines

This is beginning to look really impressive now. The atrium in particular looks like it will be a great feature. This and 1 City Square are the same architects are they not? BP might not have quite the same high-spec finish but looks to have the potential to be an equally successful and iconic gateway building for Leeds.

Really quite impressed with BWP. I had seen the renders floating about the office for yonks but i was down in Leeds the other week and seeing it in the flesh its actually more impressive. Its obviously visible from quite some way around but not really knowing where i was going or where it was it was still a pleasant surprise to stumble upon it.

The Light Extension- I always thought it was quite nice actually. Anyway, BWP does look good, but its not summer yet officially! Yeah the lighting should look good- the floors will be up to full height soon too! and then theres the spire to go on just to crown it so woo.

..at last it is starting to look like getting finished! It's taken AGES!!!!!!..but it's getting there at last. Very very nice indeed! :)

Agreed, it's really moving along nicely now.
Also, with the webcam having returned after a week of non-activity, it's possible to see real progress, particularly on the structure of the floors being built. Only 5 or so to go now I think.

I have been working away this week, and can't believe how the tower has grown in 5 days. At this rate all floors will be in place in the next 4-6 weeks

I was driving into town down Stanningley Road this morning and there was an amazing view of BWP in the sunshine haze, looming up on the horizon. The floorplates were individually distinguishable. This will look massive once complete!

The cladding on the residential section has started, although they have missed a floor out from cladding- inbetween the office and residential sections- why? Will it be different- all aluminium/all glass here or just the same (ie why didnt they do it with the rest of it as they work up)

This level is level 10, the plant rooms it will more than likley have some kind of louvre paneling for ventilation due to the mass of air con machinery and also lift plant rooms that serv levs 1 to 10

This level is level 10, the plant rooms it will more than likley have some kind of louvre paneling for ventilation due to the mass of air con machinery and also lift plant rooms that serv levs 1 to 10

thanks for that - always good to have a man on the inside to confirm. Any idea when the glass curtain walls will go on to either end of the atrium?

Like this render of BWP not seen it before, if anything I think the real thing looks even better:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/b06d51d9.jpg


The plant floor can be seen in this render, in the gap between the office and residential section.

Actually looks like there are 2 plant floors, the other 2/3rds up.

Oh yeah, I do remember those plant floors like that from the renders before- I think they go quite well with the continuing oxidised aluminium and glass curves to break it up a a bit.

Do you like my new avatar?

It's the sex.

:eek2: the what No.1????

nice one smartcity

The cladding is coming nicely along on the non curvy lynx can side. How exciting. Externally, I think it will be finished in weeks.

Well I arrived back at 2100 on Friday night on the 1840 Yorkshire Pullman with a blue skies streaked with high clouds. From side on BWP really looked the part. The sun was glancing off the glass and metal cladding and it seemed to have a fabulous sheen.

Sadly I then decided to take photos on Sunday, a beautiful grey overcast day with specks of rain. Hey ho, better than nothing.....

From the Globe Road car park opposite the Cross Keys
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4701/img08268zq.jpg

Looking into the atrium
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2074/img08291vh.jpg

Second level of cladding going on above the 1st service floor
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1516/img08317ol.jpg

From down on the river outside KPMG
http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/8297/img08331op.jpg

The cladding is coming nicely along on the non curvy lynx can side. How exciting. Externally, I think it will be finished in weeks.

a little optimistic as always No.1 :D

They've still got 4 floors of the superstructure to finish first!

From outside Simpsons Fold on Dock Street. The Simpson's convenience store is absolutely fantastic, good trickle of trade on Sunday lunchtime, plenty of choice, nicely fitted out and full of rather fine looking fillies.
http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/4586/img08344oc.jpg

From atop the increasingly run down Market MSCP:
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/2772/img08555op.jpg

Fantastic pictures Jimbo. It should be possible the the neon lights around the middle section where the airconditioning units are going, for that extra special night time effect.

Yes, great pictures, I absolutely love this building now. The stone cladding looks great on the office section, and as the little touches are added to the exterior I think it just looks better and better.
That last picture from the car park gives a good indication of just how monstrous Lumiere is going to appear!

full of rather fine looking fillies.
http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/4586/img08344oc.jpg


Yeah but they're only attracted to guys as built and chiselled as the one in the photo. Yours, cynical and bitter of the West Midlands. :fiddle:

Jimbo truly amazing shots!
I've just moved from Roundhay to the Beeston / Holbeck area of the city and drop my girlfriend off next door to Bridgewater Place everyday its a great building 'THE LEEDS DALEK' as previously mensioned is a perfect nickname and should improve its popularity, with its surrounding coomunity i.e. leeds city area!!

nice shots there jimbo - btw, why didn't you drop by and say hello? simspons is indeed a very convenient store for us in er, simpsons fold. as for the fillies, well i can assure di liv that having a washboard stomach is no guarantee of success on that front. a lively personality and a fast car usually do the trick though...

ah yes, dock street where we get front frow seats for the numerous gaggles of ladies on hen nights in amusing costumes. jurys is the official place for our soon-to-be-marrieds to nurse a hangover. i do wish they would read the sign though and go around the back of simpsons as high heels don't half make a racket on the cobbles!

a lively personality and a fast car usually do the trick though...

Beaten on three fronts.

Yeah but they're only attracted to guys as built and chiselled as the one in the photo. Yours, cynical and bitter of the West Midlands. :fiddle:

They were in matching blue jeans and white tee shirts and she didn't appear to be wearing underwear. I established that whilst rearranging my Nik Naks (packet of).

a couple more as an apology for that disastrous attempt at smut

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/9686/img08288bw.jpg

love seeing the Corn Exchange roof in the foreground, Cuthbert Broderick meets Aedas.
http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/3286/img08561is.jpg

These multi-storey carpark owners will be starting to charge us soon for taking pictures from the top level lol.

They were in matching blue jeans and white tee shirts and she didn't appear to be wearing underwear. I established that whilst rearranging my Nik Naks (packet of).

a couple more as an apology for that disastrous attempt at smut

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/9686/img08288bw.jpg

love seeing the Corn Exchange roof in the foreground, Cuthbert Broderick meets Aedas.
http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/3286/img08561is.jpg

Brill photos keep it up ....i was up on the 32nd level of the core last week and i could see the landing lights on the leeds bradford airport in the distance ,but unfortunatly i did not have my camera with me at the time,i will have to remember it next time

Ooooooo, this looks lovely. The stone goes really well with the aluminium and glass. That atrium looks like it'll be something special too, I love the bridges connecting the tower with the smaller building.

Blimey! The rounded end of this building looks like the Rotunda in Birmingham before it's overhaul!!

I've tried to like BWP, but it looks like an oversized office building that belongs on an out of town Business Park. It looks pretty drab in the pictures too.

The rounded end of this building looks like the Rotunda in Birmingham before it's overhaul!!

You mean the part with no cladding yet?

You mean the part with no cladding yet?

The bit that was partially clad.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/The_Rotunda%2C_Birmingham.jpg/613px-The_Rotunda%2C_Birmingham.jpg

This is how the Rotunda looked 2 years ago, thankfully it is having £30million spent on an expensive re-clad!!

that does look ver similar (the cladding) hopefully BWP wont age as bad as that building.

I think BWP is great, I like the structure more then the cladding though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/roadhog/DSCF2399.jpg

The Rotunda has looked dreadful for the past 20 years, it looks like this now prior to it's re-clad ....... hope BWP stands the test of time a bit better!

Yeh I take it back about the weeks thing! But I'm not always optomistic- I can be quite pessimistic sometimes but yeah anyway. Its looking good; it wont be too long before its completed.

Only one problem.. its looking a bit lonely..

more towers please mr and mrs business peoples :D

Looks like they're onto the pen-ultimate floor slab now, just this one, one more and the roof level to go.

having seen both developments in the flesh in the last 5 days, I fail to see the comparison.

The tower of BWP is just a small feature of this development (I happened to like it)...albeit prominant, but the base and its atrium easily seen on the drive down Meadow Road, perhaps it's more prominent view to the passer by or driver. View BWP from 360 degrees in each direction combined with it's location and you will see the difference with the bullring.

Unlike Brum's Bullring development , it is the "eyeline approach" view that gives BWP it's impressiveness, the view from the M621, Meadow Road and also Call Lane is well tidy..mixes very well with the old indusrial architecture near the River Aire.. I dare say something that you cannot say about the Bullring.

If you've seen BWP in the flesh, you'll realise that it doesn't bear any resemblance to the Rotunda. As Jimbo pointed out, some of the photos were taken on a particularly murky and flat day.

When i got a lift to the station on Saturday, the early morning sun was reflecting off the oxidised cladding on the tower section - it was quite literally dazzling.

Blimey! The rounded end of this building looks like the Rotunda in Birmingham before it's overhaul!!

I've tried to like BWP, but it looks like an oversized office building that belongs on an out of town Business Park. It looks pretty drab in the pictures too.

Pathetic. This building is IMO the best building under construction over 100m outside of london (if that makes sense).

Pathetic. This building is IMO the best building under construction over 100m outside of london (if that makes sense).

If you say so ...... mind you, I can't think of many towers under construction over 100 metres out side of London at the moment any way. So, not a lot of competition for you there, is there Leeds!!??

If you say so ...... mind you, I can't think of many towers under construction over 100 metres out side of London at the moment any way. So, not a lot of competition for you there, is there Leeds!!??

Yep, pretty much shows how far Leeds has come recently. I think the City is becoming one of the front runners in the big city game. With the planned developments we should really make a mark on the UK outlook for skyscrapers

Yep, pretty much shows how far Leeds has come recently. I think the City is becoming one of the front runners in the big city game. With the planned developments we should really make a mark on the UK outlook for skyscrapers


For Northern England at least, I think Leeds is totally eclipsed by Manchester in the skyscraper league, & always will be!

I've tried to like BWP, but it looks like an oversized office building that belongs on an out of town Business Park. It looks pretty drab in the pictures too.
wow! Where is your taste!

I suspect you've not been to see and it looks better fir real then in the images..but imo even in the images it is looking rather good. .... it's starting to really take shape and is lookng good. Also if you look at the lower level ground area it is very attractive and looks I thgink when it is completed will look very inviting.


If you say so ...... mind you, I can't think of many towers under construction over 100 metres out side of London at the moment any way. So, not a lot of competition for you there, is there Leeds!!??
basically eh????? Leeds alomg with many secondary British cities are developing impressive skylines at a rapid rate in these recent yeasrs and are all taking shape as highly repectable second cities equal to any of their equals in the world.

wow! Where is your taste!

I suspect you've not been to see and it looks better fir real then in the images..but imo even in the images it is looking rather good. .... it's starting to really take shape and is lookng good. Also if you look at the lower level ground area it is very attractive and looks I thgink when it is completed will look very inviting.



basically eh????? Leeds alomg with many secondary British cities are developing impressive skylines at a rapid rate in these recent yeasrs and are all taking shape as highly repectable second cities equal to any of their equals in the world.

Second city in the USA, Chicago or Los Angeles.
Second city in Canada, Toronto.
Second city in China, Hong Kong or Shanghai.
Second city in Spain, Barcelona.
Second city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam.

need I go on??!!

Leeds has a way to go yet, take a look at that small selection!

Second city in the USA, Chicago or Los Angeles.
Second city in Canada, Toronto.
Second city in China, Hong Kong or Shanghai.
Second city in Spain, Barcelona.
Second city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam.

need I go on??!!

Leeds has a way to go yet, take a look at that small selection!

I said 'second cities'

Because of the unique way the UK is funded and governed we only have one major City... many countries are not centralised in the excessive way we are here and so have always promoted a couple of small selection major cities... after they also have second cities.... and I quite fairly equated Leeds to these. And Yes Leeds and other cities in the UK will go a long way in the following years... to judge by today and not have vision for the future is rather lacking in foresight.


I have visited many US cities.... and I'd say Chicago or Los Angeles New York And Washington are all first class cities.. 5 other US cities I'd refer to as second cities. Rotterdam has been one of my favourate cities to visit but I think Leeds will quickly have what it takes to be rather equal to Rotterdam in many ways. It has many good city features to aspite to.

And don't forget the cities in the USA began their high rise growth in the 1930's, public opinion here is only starting to swing towards the appreciating the high rise in a possitive light .... so we are satarting ours now... so Leeds in 70 years?

@FLD: what are you bimbling on about? Who said leeds was or had ambitions to be the second city?

As for there not being many U/C buildings over 100m (I said this to exclude CJC) outside of london, then there are some noticable projects:
Beetham Manchester
Beetham West Liverpool
City Lofts Sheffield
Glass Needle Cardiff
Beetham Birmingham

And some others just shy of 100m
Orion
Unity
Alexandra
Obel
Eastside Plaza

Compare and contrast BWP with Birmingham's latest, Orion, and i think it's fair to say that Leeds isn't doing too badly in terms of the aesthetic quality of its recent development.

The re-clad Rotunda will do very well to look as good as BWP imo.

Over 100m outside London, hopefully to be completed by 2012:
Birmingham: 9
Glasgow: 6
Leeds: 8
Liverpool: 5
Manchester and Salford: 12

In other words; its not doing badly, considering many of these skyscrapers just boxes. At least Leeds has unique towers like BWP and Criterion Place.

although LL and CP are somewhat similar, so not so unique any more.

The shape of CP is still original and unique; both Lumiere and Criterion Place are in Leeds anyway; ie unique to Leeds.

I like the fact that Leeds has 3 sets of 'twin towers' in the pipeline all over 20 Stories (Brunswick, CP and Lumiere) - 5 of the 6 twin towers will be 100m+!...

not forgetting Monkbridge Forge 20 and 38 storey towers...

not forgetting Monkbridge Forge 20 and 38 storey towers...

that was an outline plan made no doubt to tart up the site prior to sale. For all we know HBG (the new owners and developers) are planning low rise offices. Sadly no one knows much at all about such a huge scheme. Hey ho, a surprise will come along at some point.

Back to BWP - don't see how anyone can equate it to the Rotunda. The effect of BWP is simply huge,.... arriving on the train, on the M1/M621, down Roundhay Road through Harehills, looking along Dock Street, from along Kirkstall Road after a Sheesh Mahal special :righton: , pretty much from anywhere it makes such a distinctive impact on the city skyline, and its only half finished.

It really does look the part, although I didn't think much of the early designs, the latest website with the fantastic 'skeleton' renders and that pan across the city skyline from K2 took my breath away. It truely seems to belong and not seem too oppressive.

I think the point that was made was that the cladding of the Birmingham tower, had a resemblance to the round part of BWP tower. I can see their point - stripes of glass and whitish cladding...

I don't actually think it looks that 'big' from the train in- maybe thats because my train usually comes in on platform 1, 2 or 9 so its not as near. But I dnt think it looks as tall as it actually is because the railway is raise on a viaduct so you don't see it from the ground. But from the road network around it, and the riverside it looks very imposing. I walked back to the station along the riverside the other day, and it looked very good- the thing that hit me was how big the atrium was.

Looking down from the balconies in the light you think they're quite high up! But thats only 2 floors- this is 8 or 9!? I can't even start to imagine what the interior will be like...

Latest position on Bridgewater Place:


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/4%20July%202006/P1010033.jpg



The curtain glazing is going up at the rear of the development:


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/4%20July%202006/P1010032.jpg