Can't miss this one in tonights YEP-


Talks are underway over plans for a multi million pound development in the heart of Leeds which will be developed by KW Linfoot which includes a skyscraper taller than Blackpool Tower.

Centrepiece of the scheme proposed for the Royal Mail site in Wellington Street is a 52 storey tower likely to soar well over 500 feet.

Along with the 52 storey tower which will front Whitehall Street, a two storey podium will link to a 27 storey tower which will front Wellington Street.

A full report to the council will be presented on Thursday before a full planning application is submitted.

The YEP goes on to say that this is the latest in a series of proposals which promises to dramatically change Leeds skyline.

Bridgewater Place is being constucted at the junction of Victoria Road, and Water Lane at 377 ft tall will be Leeds tallest building.

Criterion Place proposal will soar to 47 storeys, and Doncasters engineering factory site in Whitehall Road and land opposite in Globe Road are earmarked for developments which boast buildings as high as 31 storeys and 38 storeys."


Fantastic news, Venture up from 40 storeys to 52, and another skycraper of 27 storeys to add to the long list of skyscraper proposals which have been put forward in Leeds.

any pictures?

Bloody hell... with that number of floors, the minimum you can expect is 150m.

Can't miss this one in tonights YEP-

is that all you can give us Skychaser! Come on! If anybody has seen a copy and has the details, spill it! We need a pick me up news story following the past 2 weeks.

Bloody hell... with that number of floors, the minimum you can expect is 150m.

by the way, bad luck on the post count will. 150m, hmmmm tasty, with Criterion at 160m interesting times could be had.

is that all you can give us Skychaser! Come on! If anybody has seen a copy and has the details, spill it! We need a pick me up news story following the past 2 weeks.

The Yep does not say a lot more, or show pictures at this stage- but when this proposal is discussed by the council on Thursday, I bet the YEP will feature more details on THurs or Friday. I will make sure I get them.

is that all you can give us Skychaser! Come on! If anybody has seen a copy and has the details, spill it! We need a pick me up news story following the past 2 weeks.

ah yes, fandabbydosy. The blimp was indeed for the 52 storey tower - shame we've lost the photos as they showed how amazingly high it could be. Two towers on the site, ....... this is West Central and the open site in the foreground used to be the podium block of the Royal Mail building. Its not a huge site, but hey, two towers, fair do's.


http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2885/westpoint32ju.jpg

I can't wait to see renderings of this. There is so much development going on in that part of the city centre. What a view we could have looking down Wellington Street in a few years.

Sounds impressive.

52 storeys - that can't be far off 600 feet!!!

Wow this is pretty interesting - so this tower would be around 177m tall?

Does anyone know the reason behind 12 storey height increase? Is a skyscraper race starting up within the city or is this something more to do with Manchester or simply because there is the demand for this tower.

The more interesting point though is that 5 UK cities have towers above 150m either u/c, approved or proposed:

London - Bishopsgate Tower -307m
Manchester - Eastgate Tower - 188m
Leeds - Venture Tower - 177m
Birmingham - Alpha Central Tower - 175m
Liverpool - Brunswick Quay - 166m


No other European country has this mass-development of high skyscrapers compared to the UK :yes:

I reckon 160m-170m is most likely. Massive.

London - Bishopsgate Tower -307m
Manchester - Eastgate Tower - 188m
Leeds - Venture Tower - 177m
Birmingham - Arena Central Tower - 175m
Liverpool - Brunswick Quay - 166m




Take the Birmingham one out of that above list if you will. It ain't happening now at this rate. It's all but dead and buried. As indeed are any possible future plans for ANY skyscrapers above 120m tall in the city for at least the next 20 years. Seriously, forget that crummy Brummy has any aspirations for tall landmark structures anymore. It's a dead horse that has already been flogged for too long.

Low- and mid-rises are forever where it's at for the former second city of the UK now.

Fact.

almost sounds like there could be a bit of skyscarper race between scum... sorry manchester and Leeds ;)

Well, that figures, seeing as UK second city status IS currently being hard-fought between Manchester and Leeds.....

leeds uk's 2nd city? Just because birmighams got no skyscrapers goin', doesn't mean it's lost its title.

leeds uk's 2nd city? Just because birmighams got no skyscrapers goin', doesn't mean it's lost its title.
Precisely. That happened 3 years ago. ;)

Wow this is pretty interesting - so this tower would be around 177m tall?

Does anyone know the reason behind 12 storey height increase? Is a skyscraper race starting up within the city or is this something more to do with Manchester or simply because there is the demand for this tower.

The more interesting point though is that 5 UK cities have towers above 150m either u/c, approved or proposed:

London - Bishopsgate Tower -307m
Manchester - Eastgate Tower - 188m
Leeds - Venture Tower - 177m
Birmingham - Alpha Central Tower - 175m
Liverpool - Brunswick Quay - 166m


No other European country has this mass-development of high skyscrapers compared to the UK :yes:



Don't forget the Criterion Place Tower- 47 storeys and 157 m tall. We now have 2 monsters on the cards in Leeds

I can't see this one happening personally. It's a small site very close to the city centre, and if the design doesn't measure up it could be a monumental eyesore.

I'd like to be proved wrong though.

I can see this happenng, although its a good few years away yet. I think as the other skyscrapers go up we will be able to see scope for this project. It should become quite a dense skyscraper district if all these go ahead. It is close to the city centre, but to keep Leeds as compact as it is, but satisfy the demand, we need to build up, and this will provide prime office, retail, residential or whatever else it might be, space.

I can't see this one happening personally. It's a small site very close to the city centre, and if the design doesn't measure up it could be a monumental eyesore.

I'd like to be proved wrong though.

I think you are right. Development would be too intense on this site. However, if it is approved, a big plus is that it would mask and overshadow the Royal Mail development which is beginning to look more ugly every day as it nears completion (see photo #7).

Sounds exciting. Look forward to seeing renderings.

I think you are right. Development would be too intense on this site. However, if it is approved, a big plus is that it would mask and overshadow the Royal Mail development which is beginning to look more ugly every day as it nears completion (see photo #7).

I can't see how 2 towers can fit on that site unless the footprints are very small and given the heights, they will need a decent sized footprint. As has already been said, for a development of that height its vital to get the design spot on, I can't wait to see the renders!

Completely agree about the former Royal Mail building, I think photo 7 flatters it very much and gives little clue to how ugly the thing is in reality. I thought any development would be an improvement on what it used to look like, but now I'm not so sure!

Completely agree about the former Royal Mail building, I think photo 7 flatters it very much and gives little clue to how ugly the thing is in reality. I thought any development would be an improvement on what it used to look like, but now I'm not so sure!
I think this building will be much improved when it's finished. It certainly looks different from different angles. My only real gripe is that the service podium is a rather brutal battleship grey and quite large, but saved by the fact that it faces Northern Street which is not a well used pedestrian route.

Smoggie, do you not remember the pebble-dashed grey monster that used to sit there? Believe me, it's an improvement. A re-cald was always going to be a compromise. It's fairly dull and uninspired, but I don't think it is offensive. Anyway, the success of the scheme has prompted the developers to go back to the drawing board for the rest of the site and - hopefully - come up with something really special - perhaps something like Elphinstone Place in Glasgow...

I can't see how 2 towers can fit on that site unless the footprints are very small and given the heights, they will need a decent sized footprint. As has already been said, for a development of that height its vital to get the design spot on, I can't wait to see the renders!

Completely agree about the former Royal Mail building, I think photo 7 flatters it very much and gives little clue to how ugly the thing is in reality. I thought any development would be an improvement on what it used to look like, but now I'm not so sure!
Unless the 27-storey tower effectively becomes a part of the 52-storey tower. And it says they're linked with a 2-storey podium. So I reckon one will be flats and the other perhaps a hotel, with probably other facilities.

http://www.leodis.org/images/2002812_46250552.jpg

I think this building will be much improved when it's finished. It certainly looks different from different angles. My only real gripe is that the service podium is a rather brutal battleship grey and quite large, but saved by the fact that it faces Northern Street which is not a well used pedestrian route.

Smoggie, do you not remember the pebble-dashed grey monster that used to sit there? Believe me, it's an improvement. A re-cald was always going to be a compromise. It's fairly dull and uninspired, but I don't think it is offensive. Anyway, the success of the scheme has prompted the developers to go back to the drawing board for the rest of the site and - hopefully - come up with something really special - perhaps something like Elphinstone Place in Glasgow...

I do indeed remember the eyesore that was there before and whilst I have to agree that the reclad has improved it somewhat, it's still very ugly IMO and surely could have been done far, far better, I refer to an analogy that I've used before that a kick in the stomach is better than a kick in the nads!

I know I go on about Linfoots developments, but this has to be the nadir of their terracotta and grey cladding period which has produced some of the blandest buildings in Leeds. However to my eyes this goes beyond bland into ugliness.

I hope that you're right and the tower is something special. KWL have proved with BWP that they can do striking buildings, so I eagerly await the renderings.

[QUOTE=Smoggie_Si]I do indeed remember the eyesore that was there before and whilst I have to agree that the reclad has improved it somewhat, it's still very ugly IMO and surely could have been done far, far better, I refer to an analogy that I've used before that a kick in the stomach is better than a kick in the nads!

I know I go on about Linfoots developments, but this has to be the nadir of their terracotta and grey cladding period which has produced some of the blandest buildings in Leeds. However to my eyes this goes beyond bland into ugliness.

I hope that you're right and the tower is something special. KWL have proved with BWP that they can do striking buildings, so I eagerly await the renderings.[/QUOTE)

Smoggie, I have to agree with you on this 100%.

Like I said in the other thread, it needs something pointy on this site to compliment Criterion on the skyline. very exciting news. With monstors like these britain will be able to compete itnernationally with it's skylines soon.

http://www.leodis.org/images/2002812_46250552.jpg

Just imagine if the Council had some imagination, and the land next to the river had been bought (yes I know it would have been expensive) and turned into a city park, rather than a site for identikit flats and offices....

What everyone's got to realise is that economic and building development usually happens haphazardly. We do not exist in a controlled economy. A nice park by the river might be the sort of thing Loiner would like the council tax payers money spent on - somewhere perhaps to read the paper and eat your sandwich at lunchtime - but the reality is, LCC have more pressing spending priorities.

The complexity of the HUV development is largely down to the numerous and disperate landowners. Trying to package and stitch together a viable parcel of land ready for development takes years (as we have seen). Whitehall road was a car park for as long as I can remember with a hoarding promising something for many many years. Suddenly in the last 5 years, interest in building things in Leeds has rocketed. We are in the early phase of this "boom", perhaps 5-10 years behind Manchester in terms of the cycle and as such some of the "early" build is of an average quality. As land values/rents have increased so IMO will the quality of the buildings.

Then we have momentum. Which is the key to getting more interesting and better quality buildings. I mean, who would have thought even 2 years ago that Leeds would merit it's own sub-forum on these boards?

rather than a site for identikit flats and offices....

Even though it would be nice to see more urban greenery, would you really prefer open space to the view you get now from the station concourse?

http://members.lycos.co.uk/xapbpoh/photos/whiteskydec03.JPG

What everyone's got to realise is that economic and building development usually happens haphazardly. We do not exist in a controlled economy. A nice park by the river might be the sort of thing Loiner would like the council tax payers money spent on - somewhere perhaps to read the paper and eat your sandwich at lunchtime - but the reality is, LCC have more pressing spending priorities.

magic, I think this is very deceptive. You could say the same about Millenium Square / City Square, but the money (whether from Council or Lottery) was found. The issue with the park is that it could be a real feature for Leeds in the centre close to the station. As we know, there will be what seems like a significant central square in the Whitehall development, and I think that something on a smaller scale could have been acheived here next to the river.

The complexity of the HUV development is largely down to the numerous and disperate landowners. Trying to package and stitch together a viable parcel of land ready for development takes years (as we have seen). Whitehall road was a car park for as long as I can remember with a hoarding promising something for many many years. Suddenly in the last 5 years, interest in building things in Leeds has rocketed. We are in the early phase of this "boom", perhaps 5-10 years behind Manchester in terms of the cycle and as such some of the "early" build is of an average quality. As land values/rents have increased so IMO will the quality of the buildings.

Then we have momentum. Which is the key to getting more interesting and better quality buildings. I mean, who would have thought even 2 years ago that Leeds would merit it's own sub-forum on these boards?
I really hope that we do get many more interesting and good quality buildings. Its just that whilst Manchester builds them (Beetham), Leeds seems to have them all continuously on the drawing board (Criterion). In the meantime, all we get is "early" build of average quality.

must agree. I would love to see high desnity buildings around the station. Imagine in 5-8 years, going into the station from the west should provide an amazing first view of Leeds, assuming the the skyscrapers are of top quality.

The skyscrapers must be able to fit on the site because if they couldn't, why would someone spend so much effort and time planning it or even announcing it. I'm sure it will fit on, it might be quite thin... Look at Blue- it has a tiny footprint.

Even though it would be nice to see more urban greenery, would you really prefer open space to the view you get now from the station concourse?

Ah yes, but open space would allow taller buildings, and there does seem to be considerable open space on that photo, which is currently bookended. It probably looks better now that City Island is complete in the background.

I am not saying the whole of the riverside needed to be given over, but a part of it could have been. Instead there is very little, although I think the riverside walk, if it is ever completed will be attractive.

must agree. I would love to see high desnity buildings around the station. Imagine in 5-8 years, going into the station from the west should provide an amazing first view of Leeds, assuming the the skyscrapers are of top quality.

The skyscrapers must be able to fit on the site because if they couldn't, why would someone spend so much effort and time planning it or even announcing it. I'm sure it will fit on, it might be quite thin... Look at Blue- it has a tiny footprint.

Blue is about 10 storeys, this beast is 52!!! Think about it, if it has a tiny footprint it'd need foundations down to the core of the earth!

Things don't always get announced because they are going to happen. Not saying that this is what KWL are doing, but think of the publicity you get from announcing a 52 storey skyscraper? It's like when car manufacturers unveil a crazy concept car that will never get built.

I would have suggested to build dense all along the riverside, then provide bridges to Granary Wharf, which I would make fully park land, no buildings at all, and a few independent shops/restaurants under the arches. Ideally, I think that would be the best idea. I guess it would be a bit like a Central Park sort of idea...

I would have suggested to build dense all along the riverside, then provide bridges to Granary Wharf, which I would make fully park land, no buildings at all, and a few independent shops/restaurants under the arches. Ideally, I think that would be the best idea. I guess it would be a bit like a Central Park sort of idea...

Si recovering from the shock of being in agreement with LN1 100%!
;)

Well Blue, if Im not mistaken is 16 storeys, and secondly, a 52 storey tower would need bigger foundations yes, but I'm sure that with todays architectural knowledge it can be overcome. We don't even know what it is yet- it mgiht just be a 52 storey (equivalent of) structure, such as Spinnaker Tower or Blackpool Tower for example.

Ah yes Blue. Another scheme that promised so much. Fantastic design, but a salutory lesson in the effect of cladding.

Well done for getting back to topic Smoggie. Just as I was about to start another rant about how the arena should be at Whitehall..!!

I'm really missing the old threads (Whitehall Riverside and Whitehall), but am wary about starting new ones, as I now understand they might be restored. How long do we give it before my uncontrolled ramblings can be focussed again??

Could be wrong but Beetham Manchester cost £150mill, these two towers together will roughly be double the size and double the floor plates, so the developer has to be looking at somewhere in the region of £300mill if they want to build both towers!

There either very confident or very foolish considering the current and future economical climate!

I would wonder about the validity of this, but if its Linfoot, then it has a good chance ! Linfoot is evolving into Leeds' 'Beetham'. their own two 16 storie towers, then developing 20 of BWPs 32 floors, and some time ago they promised something spectacular.

Also, Wellington Street was picked out as one of the most suitable gateway locations for high rise building.

Could be wrong but Beetham Manchester cost £150mill, these two towers together will roughly be double the size and double the floor plates, so the developer has to be looking at somewhere in the region of £300mill if they want to build both towers!

There either very confident or very foolish considering the current and future economical climate!

I'd have thought that economies of scale would mean that it would be much less than this. There must be a large element of fixed costs in large developments that doesn't depend on the number of storeys.

Well they must have some clever plan to bring back the money. Maybe they're using some of the income from BWP and its other developments to subsidize this... There is growing demand in Leeds, possibly not so much for apartments, but maybe foroffices and defientley shops. If the combination is right, it could be a succesful scheme.

Those images don't look anything like the other iamges I've seen and it looks rather wide and stubby...

I can't see this one happening personally. It's a small site very close to the city centre, and if the design doesn't measure up it could be a monumental eyesore.

I'd like to be proved wrong though.




I can see it definitely happening in Leeds - more so than any for Birmingham. The latter is finished as far as audacious tall schemes are concerned - every new multi-storey proposal submitted in the last few months is simply backward-looking and conservative.
They're even dismantling what few tall towers remain (BP&M, Nat West) and actually replacing them with...wait for it...SHORTER structures. See what I mean about being retrograde?

Well they must have some clever plan to bring back the money. Maybe they're using some of the income from BWP and its other developments to subsidize this... There is growing demand in Leeds, possibly not so much for apartments, but maybe foroffices and defientley shops. If the combination is right, it could be a succesful scheme.

Er, I don't understand what you mean. A developer wouldn't take on a project unless they're confident of making a profit on it. They certainly wouldn't cream off profits from another scheme to take on a project which they forecast from the outset to make a loss. Shareholders would be up in arms and KWL is a Plc.

Of course in reality costs and revenues may change from the budgets and a project which is profitable on paper ends up making a loss, but they certainly wouldn't plan on making a loss!

No but I mean for the initial building of it and for the first few months of it opening they will probably make a loss because not everyone will move in straight away, so during the time they're building and a little bit after they will have lost money but gain it back once the offices/cafés/shops/apartments are bought and then people use them.

No but I mean for the initial building of it and for the first few months of it opening they will probably make a loss because not everyone will move in straight away, so during the time they're building and a little bit after they will have lost money but gain it back once the offices/cafés/shops/apartments are bought and then people use them.

? That makes no sense! I take it you're not doing business studies LN1!

I think you're confusing loss and cash flow.

typically with this type of lending, the development will be ring fenced in what's called an SPV (special purpose vehicle) or an operating company which essentially moves much of the risk off the balance sheet of the ultimate developer (KW Linfoot plc). Essentially it means that virtually a new company is set up specifically for financing and developing the project that is co owned by the developer and the lending institutions. This risk is therefore based on the assumption that following completion the asset will be profitable. The scheme will commit a long term borrowing facility from a single lender, or most likely a syndicated groups of lenders. The Banks see this as particularly high risk primarily as any servicing of the facility (or primary source of repayment) is ultimately dependent on the assets ability to generate future cash flow. This means the margin taken by Banks will be considerably higher than any standard vanilla corporate loan (overdrafts, standby lines of credit).

In essence this sort of thing is speculative development....i.e, the developers must demonstrate (and be able to convince the lenders) that there is a market for apartments, that the commercial / leisure elements can be filled and that any office/hotel space is fairly certain of a substantial pre-let.

In this location, and for such a landmark scheme in a burgeoning city centre (even with the slow down in residential property prices) I doubt there will be any problem securing funding.

No but I mean for the initial building of it and for the first few months of it opening they will probably make a loss because not everyone will move in straight away, so during the time they're building and a little bit after they will have lost money but gain it back once the offices/cafés/shops/apartments are bought and then people use them.

Nah. A scheme like this will be very prestigious. Plus it will take a few years to build, so in that time most if not all of the apartments will be sold, and the hotel, retail and offices will probably be largely leased off too. Look at Beetham Manchester. Most prestigious development in Manc right now, Beetham had no trouble leasing the hotel to a top class company, and sold 90% of the flats before official approval! I'd expect a similar situation with this if it gets going.

From what people have said on here it sounds like a small site. So there isn't exactly going to be a massive number of apartments to sell.

Plus they wouldn't 'make a loss in the first few months' because I doubt they will be paying all of their contractors in full up front.

Could be wrong but Beetham Manchester cost £150mill, these two towers together will roughly be double the size and double the floor plates, so the developer has to be looking at somewhere in the region of £300mill if they want to build both towers!

There either very confident or very foolish considering the current and future economical climate!

No, those figures aren't right, a 27 storie tower costs around £50m, the 52 storey will probably approach £150m, so with economies of scale, the price tag should be below £200m, (about £2.5m per floor).

By the way, I've read of this news from a second source on the internet, a site that was doing a feature of Kevin Linfoot and mentioned his determintion to bring the skyscraper to Leeds. (Apparantlry, son of a coal worker, he left school with no qualifications, and built up his own businesses to the point where he now has a personal wealth of £60m, a real rags to riches story, I love that kind of story of home grown success).

following on from Rob's post....... et voila

One to Watch: Kevin Linfoot

Yorkshire entrepreneur Kevin Linfoot is another one of those examples of how a poor educational record need not be a hindrance to getting ahead in business. Named as the 16th most influential person in Yorkshire and chosen as Yorkshire Property personality of the year, his company, K W Linfoot PLC, is now one of the biggest players in the redevelopment hotspot that is Leeds. The severe dyslexia he suffers from has not proved a barrier to his progress and soon this will to succeed will be there for all to see on the skyline of Leeds, as his latest development project is to include the city's tallest building.

It's a classic rags to riches story. The son of a coal trader, Linfoot left school at 15 unable to read or write to work as a joiner's apprentice. Following a motorbike accident two years later he was awarded compensation, but whereas his peers at the time might have frittered this cash away, he chose to instead invest in a joinery business and his foresight paid off when the company was sold for £21,000 shortly after. Realising, like many of us have subsequently, that money could be made quickly through property, he used this cash and insight to buy, renovate and sell terraced houses, moving onto building luxury homes by the age of 22, all in and around the York area.

ot stopping there, Linfoot then moved quickly into the commercial property market, (and as part of a consortium) creating in the process the largest office development in the city when the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food moved up north from London. Taking further inspiration from the redevelopment of the capital Linfoot foresaw Leeds growing into the vibrant city it is today and capitalised on that potential, becoming the first major developer of city living and revitalising dilapidated areas such as the waterfront on the way.

Thanks to his business sense he's amassed a personal fortune estimated to be around £60m. With the development of West Point and Bridgewater Place, his success will dominate the city's skyline for years to come and he's also committed himself to building a 50-storey building in Leeds in the next few years. Yet he still sees believes plenty of opportunity remains and would go so far as to claim the market has hardly been tapped into.

Despite his success, and with homes in London and Spain, he still continues to spend most of his time in his home city of York, enjoying the social life in the bars, restaurants and night-clubs his city living developments have encouraged. And with plenty of regeneration money floating around nearby Bradford and Sheffield, it could be Linfoot hasn't got far to travel for his next project.

Could someone put the Venture Tower on this image below please, Im not sure whereabouts it would go! :)

http://members.lycos.co.uk/skyfitsleeds/hpbimg/leedsssc2zd.jpg

Sorry for not keeping up to date with the thread but I imagine it'll be around, if not on the location of the Ventura building near Leeds Met, next to where the plaza is going up, or whatever the name is. I forget.

Of course, I could be completely wrong. I could delve a wee bit further back within this thread to find out for sure, but I'm far too close to dying right now.

Could someone put the Venture Tower on this image below please, Im not sure whereabouts it would go! :)

http://members.lycos.co.uk/skyfitsleeds/hpbimg/leedsssc2zd.jpg

Guys - it's already on there, but simply has been labelled 40 storeys. find City Square, the head west along Wellington Street and you can see the old Royal Mail development. We've heard rumblings of a 40 storey tower here since the turn of the year, so it was added added to this image. Now we've confirmation its 52m with a 27 next door!

Here's another image taken from Woodhouse Carpark with Civic Hall and town Hall in the foreground and West Central in the distance. Trying to gauge the height of the Venture Towers is fairly difficult, but if you imagine that the top of the crane's jib must be around 100-110m, then we reckon the 52 storey bit of Venture will be 150-160m, so even higher still. bloody difficult to judge, but before the hacking affair Heavymetalmayhem (I think) posted some shots of the blimp anchored above the site and that looked astoundingly high! :)

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2530/civichall0603056tv.jpg

From today's Yorkshire Post:

"A GLASS skyscraper which will be the tallest building in the North East of England is set to transform the skyline of Leeds. The tower, which will be at least 516ft tall and will cost £200m, is said to be the most ambitious project yet in Leeds and will include "prime pads" designed for wealthy pensioners wanting to live in the city centre. The as-yet-unnamed project is being developed jointly by Yorkshire-based residential developer KW Linfoot and Scarborough Development Group, which is owned by Sheffield United FC chairman Kevin McCabe. It will be built on land between Wellington Street and Whitehall Road next to the redeveloped former Royal Mail building as part of a regeneration zone called West Point.

Space has been made available for a health centre – the first in the city centre – and dentist within the 51-storey building which would include offices and 650 luxury apartments as well as shops, cafes and restaurants. A similar 26-storey glass tower 295 ft in height would be built next door to it Containing 100 serviced apartments and around 100,000 sq ft of office space.
The two would be linked by a central piazza and gardens. The building would be taller than Bridgewater Place, the 30-storey project being built on Water Lane in Leeds and also taller than Criterion Place, a planned twin glass towers development on Sovereign Street.

The proposals, which were recently presented to Leeds City Council's City Centre Planning Panel, have been met with enthusiasm and the developers are to apply for detailed planning permission before the end of this year. If the building gets the go-ahead from the city council construction could begin as early as next summer with completion anticipated in 2009. Kevin Linfoot, founder of KW Linfoot, said the project "would be the pinnacle of my career".
"It will be an iconic building for Leeds which will be the way forward. It's the top of my career to do something like this, I'll never do anything this big again."

Mr Linfoot said he has spent 18 months developing the project, looking at skyscrapers in cities such as New York and Miami. "We had to create models of the building and the others around it so they could be tested for the reflection of the sun off the glass and test the design in a special wind tunnel in New York because when the wind hits the top of the building, by the time it reaches the bottom it would be travelling at 120 mph – that would knock pedestrians off their feet!" Richard Dean, development director for K W Linfoot, said: "We are delighted to have received such a positive response from the panel. Our design approach has very much focused on providing a remarkable landmark that the city and its residents can be proud of." He added: "A unique new element that we are proposing to incorporate is a series of 'prime pads' that will provide bespoke homes for the 50-plus age market."

Mr Dean said the developers would work closely with with Leeds City Council Planning, the civic architect, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and English Heritage to ensure that the scheme maintained the values and qualities fundamental to the city's prosperity."
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/966/westpoint27dj.jpg

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/1411/westpoint13ah.jpg

Sorry, by the way, about the size of the pictures. Just hope people get some sense of what's being proposed.

157m high. Not bad.

The design is good, but now so unoriginal. It's Brunswicks Quays and Critierion Places brother. And theres two. Criterion Place Mark II.

From today's Yorkshire Post:

"A GLASS skyscraper which will be the tallest building in the North East of England is set to transform the skyline of Leeds. The tower, which will be at least 516ft tall and will cost £200m, is said to be the most ambitious project yet in Leeds and will include "prime pads" designed for wealthy pensioners wanting to live in the city centre. The as-yet-unnamed project is being developed jointly by Yorkshire-based residential developer KW Linfoot and Scarborough Development Group, which is owned by Sheffield United FC chairman Kevin McCabe. It will be built on land between Wellington Street and Whitehall Road next to the redeveloped former Royal Mail building as part of a regeneration zone called West Point.

Space has been made available for a health centre – the first in the city centre – and dentist within the 51-storey building which would include offices and 650 luxury apartments as well as shops, cafes and restaurants. A similar 26-storey glass tower 295 ft in height would be built next door to it Containing 100 serviced apartments and around 100,000 sq ft of office space.
The two would be linked by a central piazza and gardens. The building would be taller than Bridgewater Place, the 30-storey project being built on Water Lane in Leeds and also taller than Criterion Place, a planned twin glass towers development on Sovereign Street.

The proposals, which were recently presented to Leeds City Council's City Centre Planning Panel, have been met with enthusiasm and the developers are to apply for detailed planning permission before the end of this year. If the building gets the go-ahead from the city council construction could begin as early as next summer with completion anticipated in 2009. Kevin Linfoot, founder of KW Linfoot, said the project "would be the pinnacle of my career".
"It will be an iconic building for Leeds which will be the way forward. It's the top of my career to do something like this, I'll never do anything this big again."

Mr Linfoot said he has spent 18 months developing the project, looking at skyscrapers in cities such as New York and Miami. "We had to create models of the building and the others around it so they could be tested for the reflection of the sun off the glass and test the design in a special wind tunnel in New York because when the wind hits the top of the building, by the time it reaches the bottom it would be travelling at 120 mph – that would knock pedestrians off their feet!" Richard Dean, development director for K W Linfoot, said: "We are delighted to have received such a positive response from the panel. Our design approach has very much focused on providing a remarkable landmark that the city and its residents can be proud of." He added: "A unique new element that we are proposing to incorporate is a series of 'prime pads' that will provide bespoke homes for the 50-plus age market."

Mr Dean said the developers would work closely with with Leeds City Council Planning, the civic architect, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and English Heritage to ensure that the scheme maintained the values and qualities fundamental to the city's prosperity."

Sorry, by the way, about the size of the pictures. Just hope people get some sense of what's being proposed.

That is class. Bring it on. :cheers: :okay: :applause: :colgate:

Not bad. Looks like a slightly more boxy version of CP.
Why does Leeds keep making up its own regions that it will have the tallest building in?
Last time I checked, Leeds was in Yorkshire, not the North East.

The building would be taller than Bridgewater Place, the 30-storey project being built on Water Lane in Leeds and also taller than Criterion Place, a planned twin glass towers development on Sovereign Street.

They also seem to think 157m is more than 160m? :?

Well its OK, probably will look better in real life. It is similar to Criterion Place but its good to hear that this could be up by 2009. I have a feeling it may need to be redesigned, Im not sure. I expect it will be more like 2010/2011 at the earliest instead of 2009 for a completion date.

They also seem to think 157m is more than 160m? :?
It said at least 516 feet tall. So maybe it could be taller than CP.

Well its OK, probably will look better in real life. It is similar to Criterion Place but its good to hear that this could be up by 2009. I have a feeling it may need to be redesigned, Im not sure. I expect it will be more like 2010/2011 at the earliest instead of 2009 for a completion date.
If it were to be up by 2009, then it would need to start next year.

Well thats what it said!

It says the 27-storey building will be 295 feet tall. So the 52-storey could well be more like 576 feet tall rather than 516 feet tall.

It said at least 516 feet tall. So maybe it could be taller than CP.

If that isn't the height then it's a bit arbitrary wouldn't you agree? Why on earth would they even mention 516ft if it wasn't the height of something to do with this. When they say taller than CP, they must be going off floor counts.

I find it strange that there will be a bunch of old people living in a yuppie building. :laugh:

It says the 27-storey building will be 295 feet tall. So the 52-storey could well be more like 576 feet tall rather than 516 feet tall.

The 27 storey has office floors in it, which have higher floorplates than residential. You can see, the bottom 10 floors of it are office.

I find it strange that there will be a bunch of old people living in a yuppie building. :laugh:
Then again maybe not. I'm sure a 30th floor apartment offers more security than a typical house for the older folk. After all, a 30th floor window will be rather harder to climb through than a ground floor window.

good lord, pensioners in skyscrapers, what a wacky idea. If the lifts failed and they all had to use the stairs you'd be in strife mate.

Hard to tell from the images, but looks like mix of Kite Tower (also Carey Jones involvement) and a bit of Criterion Place mixed in.

Wonder what the residents of City Central (the lovely old Wellesley Hotel) would think about these towers appearing in their windows. I'd be chuffed!

It could be a touch of media hype, but the write up sounded quite optimistic. They have obviously done a lot research and preliminary work, what with wind tunnel models in New York etc, and our great forward thinking council embracing such a prestigious scheme. I also think KW Linfoot have a lot more spark in them than Simons Estates, and I would put money on this going ahead before the near mirror image Criterion Place scheme.

£200m is a lot to raise, but perhaps the two partners are big enough to do it, they must have a scheme for doing this or they wouldn't have invested what must by now be hundreds of thousands into this proposal.

If they can get the money from the developments they have already built/building/to be built soon, then they should be able to get £200m. I think this cost might go up though. Criterion Place is also quite cheap in comparison to other schemes... It must've been well researched though so we'll see. Whats happening with CP anyway?

It could be a touch of media hype, but the write up sounded quite optimistic. They have obviously done a lot research and preliminary work, what with wind tunnel models in New York etc, and our great forward thinking council embracing such a prestigious scheme. I also think KW Linfoot have a lot more spark in them than Simons Estates, and I would put money on this going ahead before the near mirror image Criterion Place scheme.

£200m is a lot to raise, but perhaps the two partners are big enough to do it, they must have a scheme for doing this or they wouldn't have invested what must by now be hundreds of thousands into this proposal.

It is a lot of beans and again, I'd say a rather large amount of risk for any developer / lender involved. Scarborough and KW Linfoot are essentially local development firms that have grown aplenty in an economic climate where people have been scrambling, not only to get on the property ladder, but also in the growing city centres. I don't think the two companies mentioned are particularly well capitalised, and thus they would certainly need to rope in several other institutions and perhaps private investment / equity firms (as happened with BWP) to get the funding sorted and the project off the ground.

that said, Linfoot has delivered on most of his promised, although the next biggest scheme he's done before BWP (which remember is only the residential element) was West Central and the Whitehall Riverside apartments where the company is now based in the penthouse, primarily as they found there wasn't a big enough market to get anyone else to part with the cash for a 16-17th floor 3 bedder!

They are unsurprisingly optimistic, and i don't think the council will have any problems, the majority of overshadowing or 'looming over' will be of offices on Whitehall Road, and Linfoots own development at West Central.

At least we've got the name conundrum solved. West Point Naval Academy, Virginia it is. Sir, yes sir!

All quiet publically, but I believe the work is progressing slowly behind the scenes, I think we may well get both schemes in the end, remembering also that the council are enthusiastic about both schemes, whereas Liverpool are having real problems with their 50 storeyer.

The £200m is raised partly through their funds, but mainly will be through getting banks on board to invest the money up front, which is paid back when everything sells, hopefully with a little profit for each party involved. (the Royal Bank of Scotland funded BWP).

Maybe if its local based companies, building a project that will help the local area, then more local based companies may put in money, particularly if they will benefit from it. Possibly Yorkshire Bank, Halifax...etc we'll see! Im sure they'll get it somehow, even if it takes a good few years!

Maybe if its local based companies, building a project that will help the local area, then more local based companies may put in money, particularly if they will benefit from it. Possibly Yorkshire Bank, Halifax...etc we'll see! Im sure they'll get it somehow, even if it takes a good few years!

Yorkshire Bank is owned (along with Clydesdale) by NAB (National Australia Bank), and Halifax merged with Bank of Scotland. I doubt perceived local allegiences are enough to persuade a bank to part with £50mill or so for a development project. You're being rather idealistic No.1, companies don't work like that. there has to be profit or margin on a deal and the promise of adding value to shareholders assets, otherwise its goodnight Vienna.

Yeah I know lol. I was kinda thinking 'that'll never happen, but it could do so say it anyway'

This proposal is a ten times better than what was origionally planned (10 storey office blocks and hotel). It goes to prove that having a pro high rise council can bring in proposals we could never have dreamt of just a couple of years ago.

This proposal is a ten times better than what was origionally planned (10 storey office blocks and hotel). It goes to prove that having a pro high rise council can bring in proposals we could never have dreamt of just a couple of years ago.


Very true. And a vast distance away from the bland 'Leeds Look' of some 10-15 years ago! However, who on planning committees hold more sway and influence. The officers and professionals - or the politicians ?

Great news - lets hope they build it :cheers1:

They also seem to think 157m is more than 160m? :?
You can never usually rely on the press to get details right about these sort of things.

Anyway, can we find some proper renderings? Perhaps Gothic could email the architects and ask nicely for a few for his own site...over to you Goth!

there is a short description of the project at a website for architecture saying the taller tower will be 170m tall. construction is due to start in summer 2006.

http://www.baunetz.de/upload/80655az.jpg

if someone gives me the details i can find out more.

Hi bmx, don't suppose you have a link???

170 metres = 558 feet :) :cheers2:

Hi bmx, don't suppose you have a link???


only if you can read german: http://www.BauNetz.de/db/news/?news_id=80655

if someone gives me the details i can find out more.
Goth: Here is the link to the article in the Yorkshire Post about it.

http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1104664

Don't know if this is enough for you? Oh, and Linfoot's website is at:

http://www.kwlinfootplc.com/

Does anyone know who the architects are?

ian simpson

looks it from the cladding! infact in the story ive written but not put up i call it "simpsonesque"

Leeds constantly amazes me. A real fairytale story behind it all too. Very sculptural.

It is incredible to think how blase we've all become regarding glass skyscrapers! Some tainted, stained glass even could have enriched it.

Top drawer though. Top drawer.

only if you can read german: http://www.BauNetz.de/db/news/?news_id=80655

In the northwest

Plans for high-rises in Leeds introduced

In Leeds, a 170 meter glass high-rise is supposed to be constructed. It would be the highest high-rise in north west-England. That postal service reports the Yorkshires on the 4 August 2005.

The Wohnhochhaus expensive 200 million pounds in the inner cities after a design by Ian Simpson should also drawers, café, restaurants, a health center and include offices. Building gentlemen are KW of Linfoot and the Scarborough Development Group. Between the Wellington streets and Whitehall Road next to the former Royal mail Building in west Point lain, should find 650 Apartments places in the 51 floors.

Next door a floor similar 26 is supposed to be constructed high tower with hundred further dwellings and 10,000 square meter office areas. Between both piling up a Piazza and a garden is supposed to be designed. Building start should be in the summer 2006, the completion 2009.

I used a translation program BTW.

Every city should have a Glashochhaus. :)

Very impressive, and in an ideal location for such a building. The wide slab effect will thankfully block views of west central from some angles.

two Ian Simpson designed twin towers about 400m away from each other.

Or is it really four towers?

Twin Peaks.

Maaaaaaaa, I'm going mad, this could be starting before Criterion. :eek2:

A bit too similar to Criterion Place do you think?

Leeds will have twin twin towers

In the northwest

Plans for high-rises in Leeds introduced

In Leeds, a 170 meter glass high-rise is supposed to be constructed. It would be the highest high-rise in north west-England. That postal service reports the Yorkshires on the 4 August 2005.

The Wohnhochhaus expensive 200 million pounds in the inner cities after a design by Ian Simpson should also drawers, café, restaurants, a health center and include offices. Building gentlemen are KW of Linfoot and the Scarborough Development Group. Between the Wellington streets and Whitehall Road next to the former Royal mail Building in west Point lain, should find 650 Apartments places in the 51 floors.

Next door a floor similar 26 is supposed to be constructed high tower with hundred further dwellings and 10,000 square meter office areas. Between both piling up a Piazza and a garden is supposed to be designed. Building start should be in the summer 2006, the completion 2009.

I used a translation program BTW.
I think they've forgotten Leeds is in the North East/Yorkshire. In the North West or Manchester to be more precise (Liverpool is becoming famous for whats getting turned down), we've got the 58 or 60 storey Inacity tower, which will be 620 feet tall. But then if anyone had suggested that Leeds would get 50-storey towers two years ago they'd have been laughed out of town.

This is what weve needed in my opinion.. even if it is abit blocky, Leeds needs a big boxy glass skyscraper.

Great to see Leeds keeps bringing out more and more skyscraper proposals.

I think Venture tower and its little brother will be a fantastic gateway to the city from the west. Criterion will dominate the skyline with BWP from the south, and The Plaza alongside other proposed skyscrapers will dominate the skyline from the north.

Even heading into Leeds from the east, skyscrapers will dominate the skyline as you travel down York Road - Just can't wait to see some of these monsters finally reaching the skies!

Very nice indeed! If it is Simpson then at this rate ISA will be in danger of becoming more synonymous with Leeds than their home city. Not a state of affairs that bears thinking about!

Can somebody please help me orientate myself with this picture?

http://www.baunetz.de/upload/80655az.jpg

I know Leeds very well but simply cant figure out how this building fits in with its surroundings.
Will it have a frontage onto Wellington Street? (If so, which side?)
Where has that large plaza come from? I didn't think there was the room there for such a large open space?
Where is West Central in the above render?

I know Leeds very well but simply cant figure out how this building fits in with its surroundings.
Will it have a frontage onto Wellington Street? (If so, which side?)
Where has that large plaza come from? I didn't think there was the room there for such a large open space?
Where is West Central in the above render?

From Aire Street, the taller tower should be immediately before West Central, in the far background.
http://www.leodis.org/images/2002610_88096255.jpg


..and from Wellington Street, the shorter tower should be where the low podium block is, to the right of the hotel
http://www.leodis.org/images/2002610_19363039.jpg

West Point is located in the small open space above the 'www.' to the left, Criterion is located in the open space near the 'www.' to the right
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/leeds/leeds.m46.station.jpg

These, along with CP... and BWP.. that'd be a skyline, lol...

Ah haa, thanks di Livio. So on the render its Wellington St on the left; Aire Street to the right and we are looking towards Leeds City Station.

http://www.baunetz.de/upload/80655az.jpg

So the smaller tower containing the 10 or so levels of office space fronts onto Wellington Street. There will be a very wide, sculptural wall of glass rising up from Wellington St into the hevans - I can see it now. Should be very impressive. I only wish Simpson would create something like this for Manchester - it doesn't seem right!

As I thought though, the render is trying to decieve you into thinking there will be a larger open space left inbetween these two towers and West Central. I dont think it will be anything like that large. I may be wrong though.

it could be deceptive. it looks like the render is done from the perspective of being inside, or on top of West Central and looking directly towards the station.

this image is from Whitehall Road (site of the Whitehall Riverside development). Essentially the larger of the towers will overlook Aire Street and block the view (from here) of the Wellesly Hotel (the old looking red brick effort, now some rather pleasant apartments).

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/236/img01561zf.jpg

I love the design of the buildings, however I do feel that 52 storeys is too tall for THIS particular site. Imagine these buildings as part of whitehall riverside with the river to one side! Let's see what the planning committee have to say.

I dont think its too tall, and the average height of 10 storey buildings around it should help to tone it down. On the skyline it wouldnt look too bad, as it would be surrounded by 30ish storey skyscrapers... I guess it would have a similar effect to Canary Wharf before the 2 other towers were built (HSBC and Citigroup)

sure it is huge, and will be overshadowing a few bits of Wellington Street, but thinking about it, its really only 3-4 storey office buildings that will be blocked out. I'm not sure it'll block too much light as the glass has to be fairly reflective instead of absorbant! The towers will certainly draw your eye away from West Central which is becoming more maligned by the day. We all know Smoggie's high opinions of the CareyJones / Linfoot apartment blocks by the river!

http://www.leodis.org/images/2002610_19363039.jpg

yikes, that shows how good the conversion of the hotel was - the old building looks fairly grotty - but with the new roof and several new storeys added makes it look like it's been great along.

Well they're not too bad. Hopefully the riverside here will become more varied in the new styles of building that will be built along here compared to the original designs of overall terracotta brick.

@jimbo what is that hotel now

@jimbo what is that hotel now

apartments - have a look at the big image I posted a few posts back and see that oldish building in the middle with the sloping, slated roof peaking out from the beige and terracotta building - that's the refurbished hotel which now looks excellent. From a different angle, but still tis rather nice.

found a good pic, good conversion

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/marc_elliott/img_0860.jpg

http://www.leodis.org/images/2002610_19363039.jpg

yikes, that shows how good the conversion of the hotel was - the old building looks fairly grotty - but with the new roof and several new storeys added makes it look like it's been great along.

Dear God, Jimbo, I'd forgotten how awful the old Wellesley used to look. Am I right in thinking that the rebuild has just taken the building back to the way it looked originally?

Oh, and however bland West Central looks, I still think it's a major improvement on that soul-destroying Royal Mail building.

Subtract has confirmed that these two towers are Ian Simpson. And it's now called "West Central", apparently.

Impressive.

I thought it was Criterion Place mark 2 until I read it properly.

sure it is huge, and will be overshadowing a few bits of Wellington Street, but thinking about it, its really only 3-4 storey office buildings that will be blocked out. I'm not sure it'll block too much light as the glass has to be fairly reflective instead of absorbant! The towers will certainly draw your eye away from West Central which is becoming more maligned by the day. We all know Smoggie's high opinions of the CareyJones / Linfoot apartment blocks by the river!

Ah yes my pet subject! Wind me up and let me go, particularly after a few pints of wheat beer! ;)

I agree Jimbo, I don't think it's too tall for the proposed site, although I'm surprised that there's enough room for the footprints of the 2 towers given how tall they are to be.

However if Leeds were to only get one scraper of this height, I'd rather it was around Bridgewater Place in order to make a dramatic gateway to the city when coming off the M621.

Impressive.

I thought it was Criterion Place mark 2 until I read it properly.

not much of an overhang on this one eh Farsight? Your 2 - 4 Chester Road looks a bit of a cantilever effort itself, though obviously not as high as Criterion Place :)

This Ian Simpson chap is being rather nice to us Loiners. The towers aren't as high as Manc Beetham, but its nice not to have anything too boxy!

Ah yes my pet subject! Wind me up and let me go, particularly after a few pints of wheat beer! ;)

I agree Jimbo, I don't think it's too tall for the proposed site, although I'm surprised that there's enough room for the footprints of the 2 towers given how tall they are to be.

However if Leeds were to only get one scraper of this height, I'd rather it was around Bridgewater Place in order to make a dramatic gateway to the city when coming off the M621.

The Koetter Kim plans have towers down that part of the world, but that's just a vision. It will be interesting to see if anything happens to that low rise set of industrial blocks in that island site opposite City Walk, BWP and Asda. That could be a choice site for another tall one.

The site does look too small for two towers and what seems to be quite an extensive plaza, but the tower footprints could be quite small in reality, and when all the plant equipment is cleared off the current site, then it may look somewhat bigger.

Subtract over on the Manc boards works for Ian Simpson Architects and says that the image we have wasn't the one released to the press. He hasn't said much more about it, but might send him a pers message and see if he can spill a little more. Apparantly ISA have been calling it West Central all along, so it seems YEP's big scoop of the week has been knadgered by bad journalism and the incorrect naming of the development as West Point. Clang!

Good to see that this has been in the works for over a year, meaning its much farther ahead in the process than Criterion Place. I'd hope they have the funding sorted and that they have been investigating suitable contractors. I think this would be too big an undertaking for Shepherd, and do remember Construction News mentioning Multiplex (Wembley, White City, 1 West India Quay) being reported as trying to expand their construction portfolio outside London. Carillion are building Beetham Manc and Bovis Lend Lease have plenty of tall towers on the go mainly in the Antipodies.

by the way this is another Simpson - 2 - 4 Chester Road in Manchester - apparantly announced today. Likes his asymmetric glass designs doesn't he!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/faggotbrain/24chesterroad.jpg

posted by dgnr8 by the way :)

clang? my site was right about it :P

Jimbo, 2-4 Chester Road has been around for a couple of years at least now. What we've seen today is the finalised design. And aye, incredibly similar to CP. But I do fancy these as being more of the Blakfriars building in London. Simpson seems to work in "phases" from what I've noticed and Chester Road seems to be of Blackfriars ilk i.e., a new evolution of Simpson design. If what we've seen for West Central is the final design, I reckon this is (if you will) the last Simpson design along Beetham Manc lines before he "evolves" to Blackfriars/Chester Road and more than likely, Criterion Place (and the ATS site in Manc).

Personal observation mind, by no means anything legitimate to go off.

clang? my site was right about it :P

no slight on skyscrapernews.com Goth! Was meaning the Yorkshire Evening Post front page news article (scanned in and posted by Aviator several pages back) which refered to the development as West Point. We've always known the site (Royal Mail Building and podium) as West Central, so it was surprising to see a different. Quite where the Venture Tower name came from is another mystery.

The Koetter Kim plans have towers down that part of the world, but that's just a vision. It will be interesting to see if anything happens to that low rise set of industrial blocks in that island site opposite City Walk, BWP and Asda. That could be a choice site for another tall one.


That's the site I had in mind too. The impact coming off the M621 and driving between BWP and a 50 storey beast on that site would be superb!

I think, however, given that KWL already own the West Central/West Point/Whatever site that it is likely to go ahead there, especially given KWL's impressive track record on getting planned developments into reality. The only KWL development that I can think of that has been announced but not brought to fruition was the Chandlers scheme at the end of the Calls and that was several years ago when they were much smaller players.

Could be a possible site for the Kite Tower if Urban Splash are still keen to make it happen?

That's the site I had in mind too. The impact coming off the M621 and driving between BWP and a 50 storey beast on that site would be superb!

I think, however, given that KWL already own the West Central/West Point/Whatever site that it is likely to go ahead there, especially given KWL's impressive track record on getting planned developments into reality. The only KWL development that I can think of that has been announced but not brought to fruition was the Chandlers scheme at the end of the Calls and that was several years ago when they were much smaller players.

Could be a possible site for the Kite Tower if Urban Splash are still keen to make it happen?

I think one reason why the Chandlers proposal bit the dust was that Linfoot's were proposing to demolish a modern building which provided affordable accommodation and replace it with something much bigger aimed firmly at more affluent individuals. In addition, the site is very close to Leeds Parish Church so conservationists (naturally enough) scrutinise any proposals very closely. That being said, the Chandlers proposal was submitted at least twice, I think.

Smoggie Si and Jimbo both mention the industrial units that lie between Victoria Road and Meadow Lane (opposite Bridgewater Place). A few years ago, an outline planning application was submitted for the site. I think it included the usual cocktail of hotel, offices and residential but I don't recall seeing any images. Presumably, any permission given will have lapsed by now but I reckon it's a site to watch out for.

Quite where the Venture Tower name came from is another mystery.

Wasn't that the name of the project before this redesign?

Wasn't that the name of the project before this redesign?

well its a confusing one. The entire Royal Mail site was named West Central, and this we assumed to be the name attributed to both the current apartment conversion and the lowrise office element on the podium site. Then last November or so news broke that plans were afoot for a much larger scheme which was titled the Venture Tower by the YEP and subsequently again by CityOffices.net. Since then we've just had the news re: the Simpson design which the YEP misquoted as being West Point, but Subtract confirmed as being West Central again afterall. Bit bonkers really. Come a full circle with name, but ended up with a 52 storey ISA design instead of 10 storey Carey Jones office block. Now that could be quite readily described as 'a result'.

A bit like the Tykes signing Justin Marshall to play for the next two seasons, I'm still kind off pinching myself at such a scheme being proposed. So different from what was proposed and by gods, how cool!

All the reports seem to lead to it being called West Point, as also reported on the Building Design publication - http://www.bdonline.co.uk

It used to be West Central for the whole scheme, and West Point for the Royal Mail building part of the scheme, but it now all seems to be refered to as West Point, including Linfoot's website (without the tower news).

Please take a look at my post regarding use of images for Ian Simpson projects.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=5057008#post5057008

Please take a look at my post regarding use of images for Ian Simpson projects.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=5057008#post5057008

hmmmmm, bit strange that. The Criterion Place designs have been out on these boards for well over a year and came from all sorts of sources. Seems a bit strange to request removal of them at this juncture. As for West Central - well, there only seems to be one or two images, so if these are embargoed, yet they've launched the scheme in the media, am I right in thinking they don't want anyone to see what they are proposing?

Already posted this on Whitehall Riverside, but look at the top right of the image and you can see the West Central project with a red crane in the middle. The red brick bit is the rebuild of the Royal Mail development, and on the right is a glass fronted 10 storey office block fronting Aire Street. Now, close you eyes, replace the office block with a 52 storey glass Simpson designed tower with a slightly smaller (still touching 100m) tower hidden behind and overlooking Wellington Street. Wonga!

http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/3631/whitehallriverside6ts.jpg

The 52 storeys fatter, shorter, but still sexy sibling was recently completed in Philadelphia, the Cira Centre.
http://www.pbase.com/phillytrax/image/45299609.jpg
http://www.skyscrapersunset.com/skyscrapercity/phl/cira/14/01.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/43337533.jpg

A tiddler at 145m. :banana:

Wow, bloody similar eh! Good find caw. Does looks slightly more stubby as you say - sort of squat iceburg like. Wonder who it was designed by.

Had a thought - with Mark being requested to remove the ISA image from his website, how come Gothic's skyscrapernews.com hasn't been asked to remove as well. Come to think of it - what about this one - we seem to have the image that was causing so much contention. Hey ho.

I notice on the Liverpool thread that they've just had their 51-storey Brunswick Dock tower rejected by the council. So lets hope this one goes ahead. :master:

I think it will. Its been well planned over 14months I think he said and Leeds City Council are keen to encourage this sort of development, particularly in an area which is mainly wasteland but in the near future will transform into quite a business district.

Some images from the current and future site.

http://gizmolabs.org/~dhelder/photos/leeds/quarters/img_0142-quarter.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid161/p8aa11f6754d4e323f3f6aea4431a0de1/f4ca4b07.jpg

According to this weeks Construction News, this scheme has now been submitted as a planning application.

We'll find out tomorrow when the list is published :)

Won't hold my breath though.

PS60 is correct!

If you've got £2.50 spare get down to Smiths and get this weeks copy of construction news! Theres a smallish rendering of the scheme! Not sure if its been posted before, probably hasn't? The render shows the back of the development, from a distance, with buildings infront of it!

PS60 is correct!

If you've got £2.50 spare get down to Smiths and get this weeks copy of construction news! Theres a smallish rendering of the scheme! Not sure if its been posted before, probably hasn't? The render shows the back of the development, from a distance, with buildings infront of it!

PS60 is correct!

If you've got £2.50 spare get down to Smiths and get this weeks copy of construction news! Theres a smallish rendering of the scheme! Not sure if its been posted before, probably hasn't? The render shows the back of the development, from a distance, with buildings infront of it!

Well, if its in Construction News, then it must be a kosher render and a correct story re: planning. Anyone got a scanner and the requisit £2.50 to splurge?

It's not on this week's planning list, now updated up to this Thursday.

Perhaps they are refering to the preliminary discussions.

It's not on this week's planning list, now updated up to this Thursday.

Perhaps they are refering to the preliminary discussions.
I suppose we shall have to wait to see if its in next weeks planning list. Does Construction Weekly always get it wrong?

Not normally, but I think facts can get a little fuzzy when they stray north of Watford.

Just thought I'd hoof this thread back on to the front page.

Just thought I'd hoof this thread back on to the front page.

arrgh, but it depresses me not hearing anything about it. Trail has gone cold since the YEP reports and the render posted by aviator. How vexing. Wonder why Linfoot is keeping so quite, having already given an interview introducing the scheme and providing two renders for it. Perhaps we'll have a surprise Xmas present with detailed plans submitted to the council, but sadly not holding out much hope.

I think Larven said Simpson mentioned something about a detailed planning app for Linfoot is expected mid 2006?

No that was for the Criterion Place scheme and I don't know when they will be submitted. Simpson didn't say much about this scheme other than show a couple of renders which I haven't seen before of this scheme looming over the city.

No it was that in the YP it mentioned construction could start as soon as Summer 2006.

No that was for the Criterion Place scheme and I don't know when they will be submitted. Simpson didn't say much about this scheme other than show a couple of renders which I haven't seen before of this scheme looming over the city.
How tall is this 50 storey building?

The footprint between Wellington Street and Whitehall Road seems a tad small for two substantial buildings over 100m...

If it happens it will fulfil two useful purposes:

1) virtually eliminate from view the "new" ex-Royal Mail building
2) provide a wonderful counterpoint to the detailed opulence of the former Wellesley Hotel

From the sounds of the original PR, Linfoot has this scheme set-up as - rather vaingloriously - his "crowning achievement". Good luck to the fella I say!

How tall is this 50 storey building?

Looks a similar height to Beetham Manc, probably without the glass blade on top. Over 150m anyway so a skyscraper in the true sense of the word.

Architects drawings:

51 floors (internal core@157.5m) cladding to point; 166.5m
25 floors (25th@86.9m) cladding to point; 111.05m
+ 3 basement parking levels

:D

Has there actually been a proposal submitted? and if not are they seriously working on a planning proposal?

The is all pre planning works before submitting for permission to start 2006.
KWL really wants to get cracking with this I feel.

Did someone mention architects drawings???

The is all pre planning works before submitting for permission to start 2006.
KWL really wants to get cracking with this I feel.

By 'before submitting for permission to start 2006', do you mean the planning works is due to start in 2006, or an application in 2006 ?

If the former, there probably won't be a planning application until 2007, if the latter, then ..hey, they're getting a move on.

surely not permission to start building in 2006??? is such optimism verging on LN1 proportions?

The ypn article said summer 2006 possibly, as it has had alot of previous work so really most of it is up to the council now not KW Linfoot...

I'll have to check.

But I've seen the plans, and some re-jigs of floor configurations.
There is lots being done to 'get things happening' for 2006 - whether that's submitting formal applications or actually starting, I'll get qualified, though might not be until Jan 2006 before I find out.

Architects drawings:

51 floors (internal core@157.5m) cladding to point; 166.5m
25 floors (25th@86.9m) cladding to point; 111.05m
+ 3 basement parking levels

:D
what does "cladding to point" mean? from 86.9m to 111.05m is a helluva 25m difference...80 odd feet of cladding with no usable space inside...hmm...pointy!

what does "cladding to point" mean?
Cladding upto the very top of the odd angles.
from 86.9m to 111.05m is a helluva 25m difference
It appears there aren't to be the usual top adornment of spikes/spires that we quibble about for BWP.
86.9 m is the height of the 25th floor level, then there'll be the top of the lift workings/aircon stuffs I'm sure.
But you're right there's a section in the 'pointy end' that is just void.

Architects drawings:

51 floors (internal core@157.5m) cladding to point; 166.5m
25 floors (25th@86.9m) cladding to point; 111.05m
+ 3 basement parking levels

:D

ooooh, you cheeky monkey. Teasing us with that eh Stiggy.

Guys,

For your information. Finalised scheme comprises of two towers, tower 1 at 170.5m, tower 2 at 109m. Three levels of basement with over 366 car park spaces.

Planning application and supporting documentation being compiled for submission in the next couple of months.

With a fair wind and a successful planning application site start should be end of year.

Fantastic news, go Leeds :cheers:

FFS, double post. :bash:

Guys,

For your information. Finalised scheme comprises of two towers, tower 1 at 170.5m, tower 2 at 109m. Three levels of basement with over 366 car park spaces.

Planning application and supporting documentation being compiled for submission in the next couple of months.

With a fair wind and a successful planning application site start should be end of year.

Great news. :cucumber: Welcome to the forum insider.

Using some advice from di livio in another thread about retrieving old threads, I hope the original poster doesnt mind but I was able to find a picture of the blimp that was on the site to illustrate the height of the tower.
Not sure how to post pictures but it's on here.
http://www.zeetec.net/xhost/u/mpeacock/notmypics/blimp.jpg

Guys,

For your information. Finalised scheme comprises of two towers, tower 1 at 170.5m, tower 2 at 109m. Three levels of basement with over 366 car park spaces.

Planning application and supporting documentation being compiled for submission in the next couple of months.

With a fair wind and a successful planning application site start should be end of year.

ooooh, top banana. We've been hearing little rumblings about this scheme, but until we see a planning app lodged on the council website, we're being cautious. That said, I have no doubt the council will absolutely leap at this as a landmark signature scheme in the West End which will hopefully draw most eyes away from the dreadful West Point. The KW Linfoot website is fairly useless and hasn't been updated since they took office space at the top of Whitehall Riverside, but if this is indeed true, then huzzah. Can't come soon enough. 170m, well, tis a proper skyscraper and no mistake, and only 1m smaller than Mancy Beethampoohs! One metre, pah, who cares, if this gets built, Leeds is properly on the map!

How come the heights are different to those quoted by Stig282 below? What news Craig?

Depends if you count in metres or floors, 52 stories above ground is pretty big by any European standards.

170m? Boo yeah, that's a significant development by any cities standards, and definately puts us in the big leagues as far as Europe is concerned.

Great to hear some positive, if not somewhat dubious, news. I would be ecstatic if this starts construction by the end of the year.

If this is true and CP gets moving, we'll have a fair few over 100m.

Guys,

For your information. Finalised scheme comprises of two towers, tower 1 at 170.5m, tower 2 at 109m. Three levels of basement with over 366 car park spaces.

Planning application and supporting documentation being compiled for submission in the next couple of months.

With a fair wind and a successful planning application site start should be end of year.


It could be an exciting year for us Leeds skychasers- hold onto your seats, and enjoy the ride!!

So Leeds now joins the race to build tall. Bye bye Birmingham - that backpedalling graveyard for ambitious skyscraper schemes now has no chance thanks to its pathetic CAA ruling. At least in the north they draw the plans up, await approval and just get on with it, down there it's pathetic tossing public inquiry after public consultation after feasibility report blah blah blah - I've long lost my patience with it - all its most radical "tall" schemes are crummy short things of 60-80m maximum. You can bet on your life that their BST scheme looks like being a repeat of the Arena Central fiasco. They don't half pick 'em! :evil:

How come the heights are different to those quoted by Stig282 below? What news Craig?

No more from me I'm afraid. Will tell if/when I get some more!

Call yourselves on the ball ! The Gaurdians of High-rise ! You must have all been sleeping !

Lumiere went before the City Centre Plans Panel on Thursday and was granted planning approval. The panel almost lost their bottle leading up to the crucial vote but after fantastic support from officers the scheme went through.

On with detailed design and hopefully a start on site in the New Year.

Wake up boys !

P.S. I have a shed load of info on other schemes in the city which I will post.

Errm, it's been discussed at length for the last few days. :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=345644

Most of that post was kinda irrelevant- this thread isn't used anymore! Its all on the lumiere thread- its now 52 and 32 storeys called lumiere (as of a while ago), not Venture. So not new news!

Call yourselves on the ball ! The Gaurdians of High-rise ! You must have all been sleeping !

Lumiere went before the City Centre Plans Panel on Thursday and was granted planning approval. The panel almost lost their bottle leading up to the crucial vote but after fantastic support from officers the scheme went through.

On with detailed design and hopefully a start on site in the New Year.

Wake up boys !

P.S. I have a shed load of info on other schemes in the city which I will post.

deary me, so little faith in your fellow forumers.

AlRP found the council planning details, and our esteemed Rob attended the meeting. Plenty of dancing bananas, cucumbers and carrots have been evidenced in the last couple of days.

This is just a guess but is it Lumiere you guys are talkin about

:yes:

It was originally known on here as Venture Tower (for some strange reason), and this thread was later superseded by the official Lumiere construction thread.