To an extent, a shame about the Lyons building, but I think it will bring more positives to get rid of it in the long term.

It is moving down hill to create another through route (from the arch?) onto Ebenezer Street, I believe.

I didn't realise the Eastgate building was moving down the hill, i thought it was moving up. (I'm not subtly challenging your claim btw :) ) That's good news. Shame about the Lyon's factory though (and the Labour Exchange)

Whoops, my mistake.
They are indeed moving 12m UP the hill to make way for the new bookends.

Oh, are they building new bookends? I thought they were using the same ones...

yea there building new bookends which will be posishened so you can still see the old bookends. they will come out into where the road, with the rounderbout as the focus point. I think they will be made of glass and steet. they will be wide at one end and go into a more of a point toword quary hill.

Oh ok sounds good. Btw, are you drunk?

Interesting - will this turn out to be true

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3105883&c=1

Oh ok sounds good. Btw, are you drunk?
no just very bad at checking my spelling, writing to fast.

Interesting - will this turn out to be true

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3105883&c=1

Acme's proposal's for Sheffield's Sevenstone scheme didn't go down too well on the SSC forum.

Interesting. Personally I like the ACME design for Sheffield, but it got a mixed reaction. It's definitely different atleast. I'm sure they'll come up with something great for Eastgate. Shame Carmody Groarke didn't get it (IMO).

Acme's proposal's for Sheffield's Sevenstone scheme didn't go down too well on the SSC forum.

Any pics of Acme's proposals for Sevenstone as to how it will look and whether it would be similar style of architecture at Eastgate or whether it would be largely different?

Also love the name Acme. :happy: I presume they got it from the Warner Bros cartoons or is their any other meaning for their name.

http://www.alexross.com/80932-big.jpg

There's some renders of the Sheffield one on their website: http://www.acme.ac/ They seem to be taking ages to load for me though.

Also love the name Acme. :happy: I presume they got it from the Warner Bros cartoons or is their any other meaning for their name.Acme is a Greek word, meaning 'the top' or 'utmost' - e.g. 'He was at the acme of his profession'. The way I heard it, in the 1950s, loads of American companies used to use the word 'Acme' in their name so that they would get near the top of the alphabetical listings in the Yellow Pages or other directories. So the name became a bit of a cliche and that's why they used it in the cartoons.

I think the word can also mean the highest point of a roof, but I'd have to check up on that.

Acme is a Greek word, meaning 'the top' or 'utmost' - e.g. 'He was at the acme of his profession'. The way I heard it, in the 1950s, loads of American companies used to use the word 'Acme' in their name so that they would get near the top of the alphabetical listings in the Yellow Pages or other directories. So the name became a bit of a cliche and that's why they used it in the cartoons.

I think the word can also mean the highest point of a roof, but I'd have to check up on that.

They're quoting on their website Acme as meaning both A Company Making Everything and the Greek reference above.

Looks like there's a load of other Acme companies as well this one (being Acme Space), making planes, pens, novelties, scenery.... check out the links section. Very weird.

There's some renders of the Sheffield one on their website: http://www.acme.ac/ They seem to be taking ages to load for me though.

Can't see any pictures though except for someone with a pair of hands? :? I guess looking at the picture shown is that it is the one which looks like honey comb which I remember seeing once but can't find? Could someone upload a pic please?

That's the only one I could get. :dunno: And all the images we had of it seem to have gone missing. :|

I'll try and describe it. - it's a curved building, with that mesh all over it in a slightyly random wavey fashion. It's meant to change colour and shimmer as you move past it.

Here was me thinking Leeds would go for a stylish minmalist design (Carmoady Groake) as opposed to the ephemeral brashness of a Birmingham Selfridges. Oh well.

Can't see any pictures though except for someone with a pair of hands? :? I guess looking at the picture shown is that it is the one which looks like honey comb which I remember seeing once but can't find? Could someone upload a pic please?

Think Birmingham Selfridges building but covered in chicken wire rather than hubcaps....
Rather disappointed for such a prominent site in Sevenstone, it's not that it's bad, it just could be better. (and less yellow.) It's possible that it will be tweaked anyway before starting.

I don't know why people think it looks like Selfriges. :dunno: But yeah could do with being less gold and more silver.

I agree Di Livio, a sleek Carmody Groarke design would have been excellent and very fitting with the 'image' of the development. Although I'm sure ACME will come up with something great too.

hi long time reader first time poster

im working on this project

re acme - have seen their proposal and its awesome - a lot less fussy than bullring, think jlp leicester but stone not glass - classy, elegant but modern with a yorkshire twist

if i can get some images uploaded (without getting found out) will do

welcom to the forum Eastgatespyguy it will be great to have you onbourd with insite information. is this still planed for a start in 2009 and any new on other shops planned for the scheme other than john lewis and M&S.

welcom to the forum Eastgatespyguy it will be great to have you onbourd with insite information. is this still planed for a start in 2009 and any new on other shops planned for the scheme other than john lewis and M&S.

we are still working on an 09 start

not sure about the shops as i am on the architectural side but they are asking for lots of plans for various large shops so it looks like they are letting stuff

hi long time reader first time poster

im working on this project

re acme - have seen their proposal and its awesome - a lot less fussy than bullring, think jlp leicester but stone not glass - classy, elegant but modern with a yorkshire twist

if i can get some images uploaded (without getting found out) will do

John Lewis Leicester

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2163517123_a22030c2f6.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/1514547282_c3097d39c2.jpg?v=0

Should be something promising considering I like the look of the Leicester John Lewis which is surely distinctive and hope to see more of this in Leeds albiet in stone as you describe. In other things any idea of which architectural practices are involved in this scheme and are there any celebrity names (as well as Terry Farrell who has been involved in the masterplan and presumably id have thought would design some of this site)?

Still sounds promising that they are on your words letting stores even though the scheme is not meant to start until next year.

we are still working on an 09 start

not sure about the shops as i am on the architectural side but they are asking for lots of plans for various large shops so it looks like they are letting stuff

Welcome on board Eastgatespyguy. Your news will be warmly welcomed. These are exciting times for the Leeds retail scene with Trinity, The Core, Broadgate and Eastgate all changing the face of shopping in the city within the next 5 years or so.

We all look forward to your news and insider info....and we won't tell anyone, promise!!

Interestingly, last weeks plans panel was shown a pre-app presentation of proposals for a new hostel to replace Lady Lane hostel, which is going as part of Eastgate Quarters. Not sure what this tells us about the construction of Eastgate and timescales, hopefully it's still pencilled in for the first quarter of 09 rather than later in the year.

Interestingly, last weeks plans panel was shown a pre-app presentation of proposals for a new hostel to replace Lady Lane hostel, which is going as part of Eastgate Quarters. Not sure what this tells us about the construction of Eastgate and timescales, hopefully it's still pencilled in for the first quarter of 09 rather than later in the year.

I've heard of this also. I understand that as soon as planning is granted the ball and chain goes in on the land and buildings that they are looking to purchase. Not sure where it is though. Somewhere up on Regent Street I think.

Welcome Eastgatespyguy! :banana:

Welcome,

If you are on the architectural side is there any snippets you can tell us on how the architectural team the developer is putting together is coming along. We were told Jerde in the US were front runners but all is quiet in the press???

Seems months since the rumours started?

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/images/Farrell_leeds_masterplan_tcm23-730748.jpg


Terry Farrell on bringing the Thames Gateway to Leeds
Architect's Journal
Published: 14 February 2008 10:19 Author: Richard Waite

Increase image
View all images
Richard Waite caught up with Terry Farrell at the Leeds City Centre Vision conference on 31 January, shortly after the architect had unveiled his proposals for Aire Valley, south-east of Leeds, and revealed that the designs are based on his proposals for the Thames Gateway.
Tell me more about your Aire Valley masterplan proposals.
It's all about addressing rural decline. The Aire Valley has the most extraordinary landscape, littered with power stations, open-cast mines and sewage works. But in terms of nature and conservation it has a lot to offer. We want to create a new city district but we will be using landscape to repair and restore it.

Your history with Leeds goes back a while doesn't it?
Yes, we originally looked at Quarry Hill [an area dominated by 1960s council flats] back in the 1980s. But there was a property collapse and it stalled.

Did you ever think you'd get the chance to work in Leeds after that?
The thing about being an architect is when the phone rings you have no idea who it could be. It might be a museum or a council estate – which funnily enough has just happened.

What was your starting point for the huge Eastgate retail-led proposals [for developer Hammerson in the north-east of Leeds city centre]?
An awful lot of our work in cities is about putting it all 'the stuff' back in. There has been terrible decline in the post-industrial cities after the Second World War. With the introduction of the Welfare State you would have thought these Northern cities would have been looked after, but there was such abuse. In Newcastle they put a motorway through the city.

In Leeds, the building of the ring road totally destroyed the areas either side. The economic decline was accelerated and the area put in a stranglehold.

So what exactly are you doing to address this?
We are looking at the terrible pedestrian intersections – you have to do that with courage and I think this is perfectly possible. I'm not in favour of knocking anything down. That end of town is a cul-de-sac – it doesn't lead anywhere. We came up with the idea of a grand galleria. It's going to be the biggest galleria in Britain, but leading off will be tight-grained streets.

As masterplanner, how can you ensure the quality of the final scheme will be high?
The jury is still out on that one. [Former culture minister] Chris Smith asked me if there was a way we could get good architecture every time. I replied: 'Yes, there is one way. You get good architects.' He said that led to difficulties with procurement. But you don't get the best orchestra conductor on the lowest bid. Here we are looking at using 10 different architects [Carmody Groarke has already been shortlisted for the John Lewis store].

There is a lot of comparison between Leeds and Manchester. Should Leeds be looking at its rival for its future development?
Everywhere has to be true to itself. Places are different and have different embedded cultures. Manchester is like a frontier town – home to free trade and lets people do what they want to do. But it is not very well organised. Leeds has a unique quality about it and, with its arcades, a certain civility. It shouldn't worry that it doesn't have the wow factor. It has to avoid following the glitzy and build quality buildings that are still there in 100 years' time.

How do you see the recession affecting the future development of Leeds?
The North of England suffered a terrible decline after the Second World War, but even the Gatesheads and Middlesbroughs have seen that it is not all over and that there is a way forward after industry. The problems with regeneration is that [rapid] development is thought to be everything. But if that means 1,000 badly built homes, what good does it do?

What one thing do you think Leeds needs today?
We looked at an idea for the bottom of town, near Millgarth, similar to the London eye and we worked with Marks Barfield on it. We came up with a needle with a capsule on it that went up and down. At the base would be a public room. It was suggested to the council leaders but came to nothing.

Author: Richard Waite.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/2008/02/farrell_leeds.html

Shame the Marks Barfield idea hasn;t materialised.
As i was trying to escape from IKEA in Coventry today, i notcied they have a stunning view (of Coventry) from the top floor. With the impressive sweep of the Headrow and all its buildings, a viewing platform would be ideal for Quarry Hill. A bit peripheral maybe, but worth it.

I want a planet Hollywood on lady lane!

Considering that Quarry Hill is meant to be the cultural quarter, it could house some of the Chinese businesses from the current Chinatown. However, because it is also a modern development, it could be in the format of a skybar. You mention a viewing platform- how about a viewing platform at the top of a building, but as part of a larger venue where there would be East Asian restaurants in a really modern, futuristic setting. Which of course represents the true China/Japan these days (rather than the traditional that is conveyed in most China Towns). I'm thinking the same kinda style as The Gate in Newcastle.

Considering that Quarry Hill is meant to be the cultural quarter, it could house some of the Chinese businesses from the current Chinatown.

That reminds me of a letter to the YEP t'other day about the Chinese Gate

"Why are we wasting hundreds of thousands on a Chinese Gate yadda yadda yadda" - I. M. Awhinger, Leeds

We accepted the gracious gift of a gate, the least we could do is spend 30p per head putting it up

Quote:
"Why are we wasting hundreds of thousands on a Chinese Gate yadda yadda yadda" - I. M. Awhinger, Leeds



This letter in the YEP talked about why Leeds has not had the vision to develop a Chinatown like Manchesters, and I agree. I believe most major cities with flourishing Chinese communities have a Chinatown. It adds culture, a major attraction with restaurants etc. Leeds had the chance to develop this on Vicar Lane many years ago, especially as so many Chinese businesses were developing in this area, and with a strong and prosperous Chinese community with over 5,000 people, there should have been no reason for it not to have flourished. I think we have missed the boat bow.

Perhaps if the Chinese community were to look at other area's of the city with the Council such as the lower end of Kirkgate which desperately needs development, then maybe something could be done. Its interesting to note that Sheffield is now wanting to develop a Chinatown with a much smaller Chinese community than Leeds.

Here's what the Sheffield newspaper The Star printed about their development plans:

Chinatown plan for city:

WE'VE got a sister city in China, the Blades own a Chinese football team – now plans are being drawn up for Sheffield to have its very own Chinatown.
Chinese community leaders are working with the council to try to establish a Chinese district in the city, possibly around the London Road area.

If it gets off the ground it could see bars, restaurants, a business tower block and maybe even a hotel.

What do you think? Add your comment below.

China is rapidly becoming one of the world's economic superpowers and city leaders in Sheffield are keen to build on its links and perhaps pull new investment into the city.

Sheffield is twinned with Chengdu, the fifth largest Chinese city with a population of more than 10 million.

And Sheffield United own the city's football team, called the Chengdu Blades, with an almost identical crest to the Bramall Lane team.

Jerry Cheung, leader of Sheffield's Chinese Community Centre and owner of the Simply Chinese restaurant chain, is behind the Chinatown idea.

He said: "Businesses from China which are looking for a European base could base themselves there. It would also help attract Chinese students. It's a big market for the universities and they're fighting for Chinese students.

"It will improve Sheffield's image and develop tourism. It's not just about putting up a gate or creating a small world for the Chinese community. It's about being inclusive.

"It's a Chinatown for Sheffield people."

A three-and-a-half acre site has already been identified and a feasibility study was carried out last year, which found there was huge support for the idea in the city's Chinese and business communities.

A delegation has already visited China to see if investors could be found to back the scheme and they are due to return at the end of this month.

Yunus Ahmed, Sheffield city centre development manager, said: "The idea of a Chinatown first came up several years ago. We already have a very high Chinese student population and Sheffield United own a football team out there.

"China has got the strongest growing economy in the world. If we could tap into that it could be great for the city."

http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/I-want-Sheffield-to-be.3751267.jp

Main news index

The full article contains 387 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.Last Updated: 07 February 2008 10:54 AM

If it gets off the ground it could see bars, restaurants, a business tower block and maybe even a hotel.

Wow, well that certainly sounds like the kind of unique and culturally diverse development that only a chinatown could bring.

This letter in the YEP talked about why Leeds has not had the vision to develop a Chinatown like Manchesters

Not really, the letter I'm talking about was a letter complaining about the council spending £200k installing the gate we already own. I think the correspondent was under the impression that they were BUYING the thing for £200k

As for Chinatowns, they should be organic things, not contrived and certainly not "developed" according to a "vision"

Why do you NEED a Chinatown to go with a Chinese gate anyway?

Here's the pompous twit's letter

THE YEP reports that Leeds City Council will spend hundreds of thousands of pounds erecting a Chinese Gate next to West Yorkshire Playhouse. However there will be no Chinese quarter to go with it!

This will become a monument to the utter, utter stupidity of us, the people of Leeds.

Maybe we should also erect a few more monuments for things Leeds hasn't got!

A statue of a musician, guitar hanging down at her side and looking despondent, can show a lack of a large concert venue. Down at the ex-International Pool a statue of a swimmer, sat with his head in his hands, can show that you can not swim in the city centre any more.

Soon we will be able to erect a statue of the Bard in Kirkstall Abbey to proclaim that we don't have the Kirkstall Shakespeare Festival either!

Maybe council members should go over to Manchester to see what a proper Chinese quarter looks like?

D Waite, Temple Gates, Leeds

So Mr Waite wants our council to go to Manchester (why not San Fran?), see what a Chinatown is, then build one to go with the gate we were given as to do otherwise is "stupid"

Wow, well that certainly sounds like the kind of unique and culturally diverse development that only a chinatown could bring.

Go to Manchester, and see what a successful Chinatown brings to the life of a city. It is a tourist attraction in itself, and hugely successful for the city's economy.

Most major cities have them, even here in the UK. I think it would add to the rich culture we already have, and I disagree about it can't be "man made" All Chinatown's outside China have been "man made" with clusters of Chinese businesses starting the creation of a Chinatown. If there was a will for the Chinese community to move their successful businesses from the Vicar Lane area which is being re-developed to a new area which has shops/stores for sale/rent, then a Chinatown could be created.

As for Chinatowns, they should be organic things, not contrived and certainly not "developed" according to a "vision"

I agree completely. The cities that have vibrant and successful China towns are those with a large Chinese population and they have evolved over time rather than having been artificially created, London, New York and San Francisco spring to mind. Does Leeds have a particularly large Chinese population? This is not a leading question BTW, I don't know the answer but would imagine that it is significantly smaller than the population from the Indian sub-continent, should we not therefore be looking at an India town?

Why do you NEED a Chinatown to go with a Chinese gate anyway?
Indeed, we have the Dortmunder brauerie man in Dortmund Square and no German town!

Go to Manchester, and see what a successful Chinatown brings to the life of a city. It is a tourist attraction in itself, and hugely successful for the city's economy.

Most major cities have them, even here in the UK.

Is that not a contradictory statement? A tourist attraction tends to be something fairly unique to a particular city, if most major UK cities have a China town, why would creating one in Leeds be a tourist attraction?

Welcome,

If you are on the architectural side is there any snippets you can tell us on how the architectural team the developer is putting together is coming along. We were told Jerde in the US were front runners but all is quiet in the press???

Seems months since the rumours started?

competiton stage took longer than the client thought as there apparently lots of interesting ideas.......

all practices have now been chosen following a copmetition - we are one of the winners - and all will be confirmed probably this week

better read AJ or BD as I cant reveal the winners before then

I can say there will be 6 practices in total and there have been a couple of trips to los angeles

Shame the Marks Barfield idea hasn;t materialised.
As i was trying to escape from IKEA in Coventry today, i notcied they have a stunning view (of Coventry) from the top floor. With the impressive sweep of the Headrow and all its buildings, a viewing platform would be ideal for Quarry Hill. A bit peripheral maybe, but worth it.

All comes down to money. No income to pay for construction = no build. Fact

Controversial but same for a Chinatown. It will not pay a developer the necessary rent to justify so will never happen. Only way these things happen are through organic growth in low cost areas that then become a destination. :ohno:

As for Chinatowns, they should be organic things, not contrived and certainly not "developed" according to a "vision"

Why do you NEED a Chinatown to go with a Chinese gate anyway?

Very well said, especially the first point.

(Failed cameraphone post)

The smallest slither of light appearing in the tunnel........

08/00760/FU/C

The Leeds Partnership

Erection of a temporary electricity sub station (period 5 years) to car park

Opposite Junction Of Harewood Street and Sidney Street
Leeds
LS2

C B Richard Ellis
Bank House
27 King Street
Leeds
LS1 2HL

City and Hunslet

08/02/08

To power the massive amount of construction work......... I cant help but thinking about the pictures from the Liverpool 1 development with 20+ cranes on the scene.....

I saw that and didn't know what it was for. ie 'oh that's good, it's to power the machinery/cranes etc' but then I thought 'what if it's a seperate thing that is stumbling the development'!

Better to go for the blindly optimistic approach in my opinion, I'll say they'll bang this up mid summer, demolition will be end of the year and construction will start this time next year.
Happy days.

Better to go for the blindly optimistic approach in my opinion, I'll say they'll bang this up mid summer, demolition will be end of the year and construction will start this time next year.
Happy days.

It's a good thing. They need to shift the substation to build on the site & then it gets put back in the scheme.

Better to go for the blindly optimistic approach in my opinion, I'll say they'll bang this up mid summer, demolition will be end of the year and construction will start this time next year.
Happy days.

It's goodf. They need to shift the substation to build on the site - part of the enabling works.

Good good. This blind optimism's working well. Think I'll revise my estimate to a start on site to next week.

I would put money on it being related to the construction of Eastgaet Qtrs, with it's 5 year limit, therefore can only see it as a good (although preliminary) sign.

have just seen the press release for architectural appointments for the project which is being sent out today

full list as confiormed is

jerde partnership
thomas heatherwick
john mcaslan for
gross max
acme space
benoy

you heard it here first!

Thanks for the info...

http://www.jerde.com/flash.php
http://www.heatherwick.com/index.php
http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/
http://www.grossmax.com/
http://www.benoy.com/#

Thanks for the info...

http://www.jerde.com/flash.php
http://www.heatherwick.com/index.php
http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/
http://www.grossmax.com/
http://www.benoy.com/#

Thanks for saving me half an hour of internet surfing, Naboo.
Interesting to see Heatherwick's name on there.

have just seen the press release for architectural appointments for the project which is being sent out today

full list as confiormed is

jerde partnership
thomas heatherwick
john mcaslan for
gross max
acme space
benoy

you heard it here first!


Thanks for the info, i think you're going to prove very useful on this thread, do you have any idea of which areas of the scheme each architect is involved?

Press release released

The Leeds Partnership, a joint venture between Hammerson and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities, has appointed six architects for its £800m retail-led scheme in Leeds.

The Jerde Partnership, Benoy, Heatherwick Studio, Acme Space, John McAslan & Partners and Gross Max have been appointed on elements of the 1.5m sq ft scheme, which was masterplanned by Sir Terry Farrell.

The partnership went through a six month selection process with 70 practices initially identified. Following a comprehensive design review a shortlist was invited to submit designs for the project and the final six will now each work on the plans for separate elements of the overall scheme.

Three districts

The project, to be called the Eastgate Quarters, located between the civic quarter and the existing retail district in Leeds city centre, will comprise three distinct areas and will create more than 100 new shops together with a restaurant district and up to 600 new homes.

Los Angeles-based Jerde, in collaboration with Benoy, has been chosen to design Templar Street comprising 900,000 sq ft of retail including a Marks & Spencer anchor store.
Click here to find out more!

Designer brands

Heatherwick Studio will design Harewood Courts, adjacent to the Victoria Arcade, home to Harvey Nichols. Harewood Courts will be the new home for classic designer labels and international luxury brands with up to 200 homes above the retail units.

Recently formed architectural practice Acme Space has been appointed to design the John Lewis anchor store.

John McAslan + Partners will be responsible for the restoration of the listed buildings within the scheme, such as the Templar Building and the grand terrace, originally designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Edinburgh-based Gross Max will deliver the schemes public realm.

Planning permission for the scheme was granted in February 2007 and construction is expected to begin in 2009 with completion in 2012.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3107146&c=1

Also comes with a piccy

http://www.propertyweek.com/Pictures/460xAny/v/g/t/LeedsJLP.jpg

http://www.propertyweek.com/Pictures/460xAny/v/g/t/LeedsJLP.jpg

Again, interesting that Heatherwick has the whole of Harewood Courts to play with, and likewise Jerde with the Templar Arcade. However, i'm not exactly blown away by Acme's winning design. Quite underwhelmed actually. At least for now.
Would that be an imagined view of the Linfoot tower to the right of the frame?

Hard to make a judgement really based on that pic, so I'll wait to see others before stating any opnions about it.
Pretty big commission for Heatherwick, I thought they were mainly a landscape architects firm? Like their work though.
Glad jerde got the galleria, I think they'll do justice to the flowing glazed roof. :)

I'm now off to have a child-like tantrum that we wont be getting any David Adjaye :bash::bash::lol:

Theres a little bit more about it at http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2467/Hammerson_chooses_Leeds_architectural_line-up.html
Basically saying the same things with the addition of some quotes from a hammerson exec.


Jon Emery, Hammerson’s managing director for UK development said: “This is possibly the most creative architectural team that has been formed to take forward a city centre regeneration project of this scale. Their selection demonstrates our commitment to a vision of the future of retail and the fantastic opportunity that Eastgate Quarters presents. I believe that it will not only be world class but world best. This is an exceptional scheme in an exceptional city.”

:banana:

have just seen the press release for architectural appointments for the project which is being sent out today

full list as confiormed is

jerde partnership
thomas heatherwick
john mcaslan for
gross max
acme space
benoy

you heard it here first!

Thanks a lot for the list of names. Looking at the render of John Lewis it doesn't look anything spectacular although I presume we will see a more advanced render later? So is this totally the final list of architects then and when will be seeing more renders for this scheme as well as the final plan of how Eastgate is to be developed?

Thanks a lot for the list of names. Looking at the render of John Lewis it doesn't look anything spectacular although I presume we will see a more advanced render later? So is this totally the final list of architects then and when will be seeing more renders for this scheme as well as the final plan of how Eastgate is to be developed?

final list and all buildings accounted for

acme visual doesnt do justice to the design which i have seen. its the same peson who built john lewis and the stainless steel cinema delux in leicester which are stunning. these are also just the competiton pictures which we only had 4 weeks ove christmas to produce.

Someone told me today there was a piece in the YEP yesterday about the timescales for closure of the last shops at Eastgate but it doesnt seem to be on the website. Anyone read it?

it has a good mention in this week's Estates Gazette, which has a focus on Yorkshire this week.

A much larger version of the render can be seen at http://www.acme.ac/

that pic still doesn't inspire with confidence though...looks very blocky and dull.

the Leicester looks stunningly beautiful and will date well...and we get a box?

It's worth remembering this is a very conceptual image, detailed design still has to be carried out and the building refined. The building could be quite sculptural and carved - If detailed well it could be excellent.

At the moment, I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get a stonking piece of architecture. whether we will or not is debatable, but I'm pretty sure Hammerson have enough experience and know how to get something decent done.

Thomas Heatherwick is an amazing coup for this scheme - one of the most creative individuals produced by this country in many a year. I love how his work straddles art, architecture and engineering in the most inventive and beautiful way. Take a look at his Longchamp store in NY - its stupendous.

Yes same; the bridge he has done at Piccadilly Basin is wonderful.

The AJ's take on things........

An eclectic mix of architects has been chosen to deliver Terry Farrell's £800 million retail-led Eastgate masterplan in Leeds city centre.
Developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities have picked Heatherwick Studio, John McAslan + Partners, Benoy, Los Angeles-based Jerde Partnership and landscape architect Gross.Max to work on the 140,000m2 regeneration scheme.

The practices will work alongside Acme Space, a practice formed last year by two former Foreign Office Architects, which saw off Carmody Groarke and Kengo Kuma to land the flagship 26,000m2 John Lewis store at the heart of the development (pictured below).

More than 70 practices were originally considered by the developers, following an 'international search' which kicked-off at the global property trade show MIPIM last year.

Last March, Hammerson took the unusual step of openly inviting architects from around the globe to enter into talks with its development team at the fair in Cannes and vie for some of the prize plots.

Once complete, the project will create 100 shops, 600 homes and a restaurant district. The Jerde Partnership and Benoy are to design around 84,000m2 of retail space along a revitalised Templar Street, while Heatherwick Studio will mastermind the Harewood Courts boutique quarter.

McAslan will restore the listed buildings, which fall under the larger masterplan, including a terrace designed by Reginald Blomfield, who also remodelled London's Regent Street.

Leeds City Council's civic architect John Thorp, who helped to select the six winners, said: 'A competitive process has led to the selection of a group of practices, who I believe will bring individuality to the design of this city-centre project.'
Author: Richard Waite.



http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/02/team_chosen_for_farrells_leeds_masterplan.html#reader_responses

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/images/Leeds%20JL%20detail_tcm23-832414.jpg

A roost for every pigeon in the city there?... Imagine the crap!

Looks like a hession sack. Is it intended to urge shoppers to use eco-friendly shopping bags?

Some way to go on the final design I think.

Well it's certainly interesting, what is the material? concrete?

it doesnt look *too* diferent to the morrisons avatar you have there tomd89. hmm thats not a good start :D

Don't tell me, the folding, overlapping stone of the exterior design nods towards the city's textile past. While demolishing the Lyons works to build JLPs new neighbours.

Some more of the buildings standing in the EQ area.

The site of John Lewis
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/169/1001038zc4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

An unsual place for a housing estate...
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2585/1001041yh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The vicinity of the Ian Simpson centrica scheme site
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6605/1001042dn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

and a quick shot of the back of the lyons building
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6889/1001043ar5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

#1067: Hanseatic Bridget Riley

70 years of the Lyons building:-

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/mpfreed/CIMG2351.jpg

#1067: Hanseatic Bridget Riley

I thought you'd gone mad for a minute there, but your description is spot on.

Thanks to Jonathan Meades for teaching me all about the Hanseatic League in last week's 'Magnetic North' :)

Yes. A great series.

Yes. A great series.

Was he thinking of Leeds when comparing Tallin's overdevelopment with that of UK cities?

" (An) Architectural free for all without any thought of coherence...Buildings shout each other down in a cacophony of boastful machismo"

That conference featuring a presentation about EQ is tomorrow at Elland Road so hopefully the YEP will have some news about what is said/shown (especially as the YEP are sponsoring the event)

That conference featuring a presentation about EQ is tomorrow at Elland Road so hopefully the YEP will have some news about what is said/shown (especially as the YEP are sponsoring the event)

What conference is it Even Flow? I take it members of the public can't attend?

What conference is it Even Flow? I take it members of the public can't attend?

It was this:

A major new business conference staged by the Yorkshire Evening Post and Leeds Chamber of Commerce will give delegates the chance to hear from some of the region's top business people.

The event - The Business Of - is being held at the Elland Road Banqueting Suite on Wednesday, March 5. It will feature five speakers discussing four key business topics. Supported by Marketing Leeds, it will launch what will be a year-long series of business-themed events in the city under the city brand, Leeds Live it Love it.


http://www.leedsliveitloveit.com/Business/News/Newsarticle/tabid/425/ItemId/2191/Details/Default.aspx

Rob Hancox development director at Hammerson is/was talking about the EQ project for one of the segments.

I believe it was open to anyone but at a cost of £110.

Cheers mate, think I'll give it a miss.

:)

Cheers mate, think I'll give it a miss.

:)

I went to this today (yes, I know I go to everything). No new information - the bloke from the Hammerson talked about Birmingham for most of his presentation. No new images, no news we don't already know on the boards. Whole thing seems to be focussed on job creation issus.

The most interesting person was the futurologist from BT, but that's a discussion for the skybar.

Interesting roadworks sign in the middle of Regent Street today from LCC.

It read something like: " appologies for any inconvenience whilst road works are taking place for the new Eatgate Quarters development".

Seems like they are changing the layout of the road around the junction where Maplins is, and around the Eastgate roundabout. Its getting exciting folks!!

Do we know what changes are taking place then? It must be on the internet somewhere! :S

Do we know what changes are taking place then? It must be on the internet somewhere! :S

I understand they are put traffic signals in at the bottom of Merrion Street. Will help to stop the rat run that leads down Lady Lane which is being closed to traffic.

A64(M) New York Road Leeds
Eastbound at A61 Eastgate
Last updated 5 days ago
Exit slip road closed due to junction improvements and drainage works on A64(M) New York Road Eastbound at A61 Eastgate. No right turn from A64(M) at junction with Regent Street and Eastgate.Until 28th March.

http://localinfo.yorkpress.co.uk/li/roadworks.in.York

Another self-indulgent post.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/315766883_b25728aa8f_b.jpg
They will probably change the road layout before starting on the development which will be the routing of the road in front of the fountain building so there will no longer be a roundabout

Access to The Headrow will still be needed during construction though, I expect, so how will this work?

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Team-of-all-talents-to.3853667.jp
Team of all talents to shape city centre


Paul Robinson
THEY’RE architecture firms whose work has helped shape cities as diverse as Dallas, Budapest and Tokyo.

Now the same companies have got designs on changing the face of a major part of the middle of Leeds.

The six architects’ practices in question have been appointed to deliver the £800m Eastgate development planned for the heart of Yorkshire’s unofficial capital.

Spread across 25 acres, it will include up to 600 new homes and more than 100 shops, including major branches of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

Happy

And the scheme’s developers, London-based Hammerson and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities, could not be happier with the names they have recruited.

Jon Emery, managing director for UK development at Hammerson, said: “This is possibly the most creative architectural team that has been formed to take forward a city centre regeneration project of this scale.”

The six practices are:

l London’s Heatherwick Studio, responsible for fashion brand Longchamp’s stunning New York store La Maison Unique;

l The Los Angeles-based Jerde Partnership, whose past work includes Las Vegas’s famed Bellagio hotel and casino;

l British firm John McAslan and Partners, charged with the task of restoring listed buildings which lie within the Eastgate development area.

l Edinburgh’s Gross Max, who landscaped the open spaces around London’s Royal Festival Hall;

lNottinghamshire-based Benoy, previously involved with schemes such as the Bluewater shopping complex in Kent and Birmingham’s Bullring;

l London’s ACME Space, who will handle design work on the scheme’s John Lewis store.

The site earmarked for the Leeds development straddles Eastgate and is bounded by Vicar Lane, New York Street, St Peter’s Street, George Street and Harewood Street.

Outline planning permission for the project was granted last year.

Construction work is expected to start next year and is due to be completed in 2012.

paul.robinsons@ypn.co.uk

The full article contains 329 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
Last Updated: 06 March 2008 12:05 PM

I keep seeing this image but i didn;t realise it was La Maison Unique.

http://p4.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/4/1/312841/1178207129.jpg

I also didn't realise Gross:Max were involved with the excellent Festival Hall.

The Sevenstone Sheffield designs are currently on show to the people of steel city. It's worth having a look,


http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=310570&page=63



This is the Acme designed section of the scheme.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j217/hellagood88/Album%204/DSCF9143.jpg

Yes, I have been studying the pics posted on the Sheffield subforum over the last few days.
Thoughts:
The BDP blocks are the poorest, especially the brown one with the orange shapes in the windows :ohno::ohno:

The black block by Hawkins Brown is fantastic imo, I think it's superb.
JLP is good in the renders, not so good in the elevations, but I think it will look good overall.

I'm still not keen on the ACME block to be honest, and looking at the way it relates to that BDP block behind it on the render you posted makes me wonder if the architects actually talked during design....

Overall though pretty good, I'd be reasonably happy if that lot were coming to Leeds. There will be improvements to come I would have thought.

Back to EQ, and a little snippet posted in the YEP review of the Business conference attended by 5th Elevation was that Rob Hancox stated that the completion date would be Easter 2012. Thats a bit sooner than I expected and suggests they'll really be pressing on in the near future.

Back to EQ, and a little snippet posted in the YEP review of the Business conference attended by 5th Elevation was that Rob Hancox stated that the completion date would be Easter 2012. Thats a bit sooner than I expected and suggests they'll really be pressing on in the near future.

At that rate you'll beat Sevenstone which is due to be completed 2013!

At that rate you'll beat Sevenstone which is due to be completed 2013!

Indeed, with sevenstone being delivered in two phases, 2011 and 2013, we should be up and running before you.
I'm tempted to say the timeframe for eastgate is ambitious, but if anyone should know the development director at Hammerson should, so........:cheers:

They will be closing the headrow to all trafic except to busses and will be manly pedestrionised.

I'm tempted to say the timeframe for eastgate is ambitious, but if anyone should know the development director at Hammerson should, so........:cheers:

Never trust a developer!

Never trust a developer!

Shame on you for suggesting developers arent always the most transparent people. (But having thought about it I'm revising the estimate to 2015.)

Shame on you for suggesting developers arent always the most transparent people. (But having thought about it I'm revising the estimate to 2015.)

In many ways, it's a good time for Eastgate to be in development given that there are makeovers going on for existing retail centres, and the competing Trinity development on its way. Hopefully it will gee up Hammerson to get the thing up and running ASAP.

think these are new

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3107686

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3105883

mainly talking about eastgate area, but also has a nice pic regarding overal connectivity of leeds / east leeds leading to expansion of those areas

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/2008/02/farrell_leeds.html

ah - so we are already in a recession? Also think someone should point out to this journalist that the eastgate development is not in central london as the caption states!:ohno:

The work at the top of Vicar Lane to narrow the road is nearing completion, not particularly sure of what this is actually achieving but on the statutory notices it justs says Hammerson: Road Improvements and Alterations.
Down at the bottom end of the Eq area, I'm not sure if this YEDL work is anything to do with things but I'm presuming so.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5303/eg1ly1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Elsewhere, just a few random pics

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8116/eg2zc1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6193/eg3su5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2132/eg4oq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I was looking throught the outline planning app last week and noticed one of the buildings in the Northern Terrace was marked individually from the rest. I'm not sure if this is it or not, and if so, what it's fate is.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3720/eg5xh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Templar House

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3756/eg9yh9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1830/eg7lz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9689/eg8bc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/848/eg10rn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7301/eg6bs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Narrowing a road can be beneficial in that not only does it improve aesthetics, but it allows for a wider pavement obviously. This is quite important for Eastgate, because if they are expecting to get literally thousands more people using this as a pedestrian route, the pavements need to be wider clearly. It's not a particularly congested road either (the northern part anyway) so theres no need for it to be as wide as it is.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6193/eg3su5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I love the bookends. I can't think of anything like standing on Eastgate looking up towards the Headrow, it's impressive but unusual. Couldn't agree more with the comment in the FT about Leeds current shopping areas (the modern ones) looking tired. The city really needs to punch its weight again. Heatherwick, can't wait.

they are widening the pavements on vicar lane by the templar pub

I do wonder slightly where some of the councillors on the Plans Panel have been during the last few years while the Eastgate proposals were being worked up.

The article is taken from today's YEP.


Don't bring Brum's Bullring here: Plea

By DAVID MARSH
Muncipal Reporter


ARCHITECTS working on £700m plans to reshape a key part of Leeds have been handed a clear warning by councillors: “Don’t bring Birmingham’s Bullring to our city.”

The £500m Bullring redevelopment boosted the shopping facilities of the country’s second city, but Leeds councillors say they want the proposed Eastgate-Harewood quarter shopping, leisure and housing scheme scheme to be different and to reflect the character and heritage of Leeds.

Developer Hammerson, one of the companies behind the Eastgate project, was also involved in the Bullring redevelopment. A six-strong team of internationally-renowned architectural practices has been assembled to work on the Leeds scheme, including Benoy and Gross Max which both worked on the Bullring.

Examples of all six practices’ work was shown to the council’s city centre plan panel and councillors, while acknowledging the quality of the project, raised concerns.

Coun Elizabeth Minkin (Lab, Kirkstall) said: “Some of the work we have been shown is mall-based, but it is pointless going down that route because we don’t want that.”

In an impassioned plea to the architects, Coun David Blackburn (Green, Farnley and Wortley) said: “Please, please don’t try to recreate the Bullring in Leeds.”

Coun James Monaghan (Lib Dem, Headingley) said: “I would be completely against just having a mall on this site. We don’t want to end up with a clone of every other redevelopment project in the UK.”

Coun Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said: “We don’t want to see shopping malls. Are we going to see something different. That is what we want.”

David Ellis, of Benoy, told the panel: “You can be reassured there are a strong series of guidelines that we as architects will have to follow.

“There will be some covered space but in the tradition of Leeds’ arcades. The architects will respond to Leeds as a distinctive place and that will inform their work.”

The scheme, due to open in 2012, will include shops, restaurants, bars, offices, housing, gym, creche, hotel, medical centre and church drop-in facility.

Sounds like our councillers :|

There's a block of Victorian buildings which is gonna be obliterated for the Seventone development. It's a completely self sufficient block and the only reason Hammerson have given for it's demolishment is that they want to put major space users down that end of the development. (As you can tell I'm quite bitter about it - I don't have a problem with most of the buildings being demolished, but this block is good and we don't have much like it in Sheffield as it is). A lib dem counciller recently wrote in the local newspaper how it's shocking that it's being demolished and the labour council should do something to protect it blah blah blah. Yet years ago when Sevenstone was going through the outline planning process this counciller approved it with no problems...

I hate how councillers always try to turn these things into a reason to have a political bitchfest. Sometimes I wonder why developers even bother... :|

Sounds like our councillers :|

There's a block of Victorian buildings which is gonna be obliterated for the Seventone development. It's a completely self sufficient block and the only reason Hammerson have given for it's demolishment is that they want to put major space users down that end of the development. (As you can tell I'm quite bitter about it - I don't have a problem with most of the buildings being demolished, but this block is good and we don't have much like it in Sheffield as it is). A lib dem counciller recently wrote in the local newspaper how it's shocking that it's being demolished and the labour council should do something to protect it blah blah blah. Yet years ago when Sevenstone was going through the outline planning process this counciller approved it with no problems...

I hate how councillers always try to turn these things into a reason to have a political bitchfest. Sometimes I wonder why developers even bother... :|
Have you got any photos of the block that is going to be demolished? Some buildings set to be demolished as part of Eastgate development could be retained and put to good use. I don't think any of the buildings are good enough to get ones knickers in a twist over, though.

I do wonder slightly where some of the councillors on the Plans Panel have been during the last few years while the Eastgate proposals were being worked up.

The article is taken from today's YEP.


Don't bring Brum's Bullring here: Plea

By DAVID MARSH
Muncipal Reporter


ARCHITECTS working on £700m plans to reshape a key part of Leeds have been handed a clear warning by councillors: “Don’t bring Birmingham’s Bullring to our city.”

The £500m Bullring redevelopment boosted the shopping facilities of the country’s second city, but Leeds councillors say they want the proposed Eastgate-Harewood quarter shopping, leisure and housing scheme scheme to be different and to reflect the character and heritage of Leeds.

Developer Hammerson, one of the companies behind the Eastgate project, was also involved in the Bullring redevelopment. A six-strong team of internationally-renowned architectural practices has been assembled to work on the Leeds scheme, including Benoy and Gross Max which both worked on the Bullring.

Examples of all six practices’ work was shown to the council’s city centre plan panel and councillors, while acknowledging the quality of the project, raised concerns.

Coun Elizabeth Minkin (Lab, Kirkstall) said: “Some of the work we have been shown is mall-based, but it is pointless going down that route because we don’t want that.”

In an impassioned plea to the architects, Coun David Blackburn (Green, Farnley and Wortley) said: “Please, please don’t try to recreate the Bullring in Leeds.”

Coun James Monaghan (Lib Dem, Headingley) said: “I would be completely against just having a mall on this site. We don’t want to end up with a clone of every other redevelopment project in the UK.”

Coun Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said: “We don’t want to see shopping malls. Are we going to see something different. That is what we want.”

David Ellis, of Benoy, told the panel: “You can be reassured there are a strong series of guidelines that we as architects will have to follow.

“There will be some covered space but in the tradition of Leeds’ arcades. The architects will respond to Leeds as a distinctive place and that will inform their work.”

The scheme, due to open in 2012, will include shops, restaurants, bars, offices, housing, gym, creche, hotel, medical centre and church drop-in facility.
It's a shame the council didn't feel the same way when they allowed the developers of the Bond St Centre to knock seven shades of shit out of a large chunk of the city centre in the late 70's.

It's the triangular block in this: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=swwtdqgw9md6&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7715857&encType=1

Yeah, most of the buildings in the area are old but not particularly good, however these form a pretty decent victorian block.

It's the triangular block in this: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=swwtdqgw9md6&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7715857&encType=1

Yeah, most of the buildings in the area are old but not particularly good, however these form a pretty decent victorian block. They look pretty good buildings, If I'm looking at the right ones. It would probably be like the blocks on Vicar Lane being demolished to make way for Eastgate. I wouldn't be having any of that.

To be perfectly honest here, how on earth has it taken the council this long to realise the Templar area of this scheme is a mall? The (albeit highly conceptual) images released by Farrells almost 2 years ago showed a multi-levelled shopping environment which immediately pointed to mall references, and they were also represented on the design panel by John Thorpe who surely must have known what Benoy et al were suggesting for the space a while back.

On a brighter note, I heard a few indications that one of the larger units in the other half of the scheme is interesting (or has possibly even been let to)a retailer with presence in manchester but so far not Leeds.

Where did you hear that?

Yes, the Templar Street bit is a mall. And I don't see that as a bad thing necessarily. A well designed shopping centre, such as The Light and even the VQ which is essentially a shopping centre, can be just as pleasant as street environments, and positive additions to the shopping scene.

I think it is right to say don't bring the Bullring here, in terms of an almost identical development, but we want something that essentially does what the Bullring has done and does (ie massively boosted Birmingham and brought many new shops to the city)- I hope that this message isn't misinterpreted as the latter by the developers.

I think they just would prefer something more VQ than Core in it's concept, which is how I took it to be. It is called a street after all...

Where did you hear that?



There are always games of Chinese whispers going on in the property world :)

I think part of it boils down to companies wanting to know what each other are doing, so by putting it to a dveloper that they've heard x might be moving into their scheme, they'll either get a positive answer or a no, meaning that they might be thinking of moving into another scheme etc.

The news I've heard sounds plausible but I dont have the same level of guarantee of accuracy as when I was told that M and s were moving in by a different person a few months before it was announced, so we'll have to see........

There are always games of Chinese whispers going on in the property world :)

I think part of it boils down to companies wanting to know what each other are doing, so by putting it to a dveloper that they've heard x might be moving into their scheme, they'll either get a positive answer or a no, meaning that they might be thinking of moving into another scheme etc.

The news I've heard sounds plausible but I dont have the same level of guarantee of accuracy as when I was told that M and s were moving in by a different person a few months before it was announced, so we'll have to see........

OK I'll bite. Check your PM.

*who*

u have to tell us or give us a clue. if its just a rumour then it should be fine to give the details, as you are not giving away any confidential details

OK I'll bite. Check your PM.

et tu

*who*

u have to tell us or give us a clue. if its just a rumour then it should be fine to give the details, as you are not giving away any confidential details

There's no point me giving away any more clues til' I know I'm barking up the right tree!
Soon enough..:cheers:

P.S Wonder if that guy working for benoy is still around?

I was just chatting with one of the Laing O'Rourke project managers at Paradise Street today about where they are moving on to, he said Laing O'Rourke are issuing their tender for the £500m Eastgate Qtrs. (although they are moving on to a north west town centre redevelopment first).

50m? you call it tower? lol!

50m? you call it tower? lol!

What? Are you in the right place?

The Ladybeck Hostel relocation to Regent Street is recommended for full approval this week. (Needs to move before EQ can start demolition in that area.)

it'll be interesting to see what happens to Regent Street in the future as the City Centre pushes outwards with the eastgate quarter. Already it's getting flats along and around it and becoming less of a road of warehouses.

it'll be interesting to see what happens to Regent Street in the future as the City Centre pushes outwards with the eastgate quarter. Already it's getting flats along and around it and becoming less of a road of warehouses.

It's improved a lot in a short space of time with the space around the Shell garage now surrounded by smart looking apartment blocks. The old Renault garage is now vacant (I'll miss those French flags). Could they have sold this off for apartments?

The Ladybeck Hostel relocation to Regent Street is recommended for full approval this week. (Needs to move before EQ can start demolition in that area.)

I think that planning for the Bridge Stree Pentecostal Church move to the old Agnes Stewart school site in Mabgate is also on the cards shortly. That's an intersting scheme - they're talking about eventually having a 2,000 seater church..........

Anyway, nice community use for what is curently an empty series of buildings.

Its gone very quiet on this thread? Has the credit crunch hit, all have packed up their blog kits and gone home?

no the credit crunch hasnt hit this, already having M&S and John Lewis behind it, There is a few things happening such as work going on around the Eastgate Quarters Development site preparing it for when work starts in 2009 so i suppose we will hear more, when we get nearer to 2009.

Its gone very quiet on this thread? Has the credit crunch hit, all have packed up their blog kits and gone home?

From what I've heard, it's really picking up speed now but all on behind the scenes stuff. I don't expect we'll see any design updates until the autumn.

Bit of gossip that Hamerson has appointed a new project director after the last one left. Hopefully he'll keep his project management team in line better than his predecessor - some of the work they've been doing along Eastgate is distinctly shoddy.

no the credit crunch hasnt hit this, already having M&S and John Lewis behind it, There is a few things happening such as work going on around the Eastgate Quarters Development site preparing it for when work starts in 2009 so i suppose we will hear more, when we get nearer to 2009.

Pheew, it is too good a scheme for the pesky bankers to stand in the way of. Was in Sheffield last week and had a healthy debate with a mate who reckoned their Hammerson scheme was better. Never heard such garbage.:ohno:

Pheew, it is too good a scheme for the pesky bankers to stand in the way of. Was in Sheffield last week and had a healthy debate with a mate who reckoned their Hammerson scheme was better. Never heard such garbage.:ohno:

Don't know about that - Sevenstone has more and better architects (although I don't think the feedback on the Sevenstone thread has been that positive for the designs thus far).

Hammerson have also been working on Sevenstone for much longer, it won't have to pay for two anchor stores, and it's starting sooner, so it could well be a better scheme.

We do, however, have a better name for our project - can't imagine why they named a fashion led scheme after size 0 models :ohno:

I'll call it evens at the moment.

I think the plans for Eastgate are more ambitious and varied, and should create a superior shopping project, one that doesn't feel like a uniform mass development. Eastgate has Thomas Heatherwick onboard doesn't it? I think he's a good architect.

Pheew, it is too good a scheme for the pesky bankers to stand in the way of. Was in Sheffield last week and had a healthy debate with a mate who reckoned their Hammerson scheme was better. Never heard such garbage.:ohno:

Sevenstone is about creating a decent shopping experience for Sheffield, i guess to counter the effect of Meadowhall, whereas the Leeds scheme will be an adjunct to an already decent shopping experience. I guess they're out to achieve different things.

A major part of Eastgate is Hammerson tapping in on the success of the VQ. They know full well that there are more VQ esque tenants wishing to open in Leeds but that the VQ is really unable to expand given it's constraints.

Yes exactly. I hope the high quality design of Harewood Courts will extend the VQ/Vicar Lane upper class shopping area effectively. I'm quite confident that the quality of architecture in these scheme will push Leeds back up to the best shopping destination in the north of England. I say this because of Templar Arcade. Remembering it will be twice the height of the VQ, it should create a memorable shopping experience.

Perhaps it's worth mentioning here that construction is underway on the substation which will (I guess) provide power on-site during the construction period.

thats behind flannels init?
whats the traffic gunna be like once it gets started? i get the number 3 bus and i reckon im in for some long journeys!

thats behind flannels init?
whats the traffic gunna be like once it gets started? i get the number 3 bus and i reckon im in for some long journeys!

It'll probably be re-routed.
Good to know there's some activity on this. Need some juicy renders.

Need some juicy renders.

renders of a substation? Maybe it'll have terracotta cladding!

Heard a VERY exciting piece of news on this project recently (and I don't usually get excited). Rumour is that the emerging designs include a large amount of city centre public greenspace within the scheme that wasn't there at the initial design stage ......

Don't know where it will be or how true the rumour is (I haven't seen any plans), but it does come from a reliable source.

I think that rumour was reported recently here actually. I'll have a look; if it's come from two sources that makes it more reliable. It was a criticism the Civic Trust had of the scheme, so if it's true I suppose it's to address this need. It would be amazing to see green space in the project.

I think that planning for the Bridge Stree Pentecostal Church move to the old Agnes Stewart school site in Mabgate is also on the cards shortly. That's an intersting scheme - they're talking about eventually having a 2,000 seater church..........

Anyway, nice community use for what is curently an empty series of buildings.

Doesn't the Eastgate Development include the building of a new Bridge Street church? ie I was under the impression they would stay in their current location in a new building in the Eastgate Quarters.

green space sounds good. Its such an easy way to improve quality of life and air pollution levels!

Is this relating to the Heatherwick thing? Good news whatever the case.

I must say I've been watching the emerging Liverpool One scheme closely over the last few years, and though I originally had some doubts about the new Chavasse park (particularly with regards to the steepness), it has turned out extremely well. The planting in particular is excellent. Something on a smaller scale but with equal attention to detail but would be more than welcome in EQ.

I was thinking of Paradise Street, it is very well planted now and does have a good green appearance. They went to the expense of putting most of the car parking below ground with much of the green spaces re-laid over the top.

Is this relating to the Heatherwick thing? Good news whatever the case.

I must say I've been watching the emerging Liverpool One scheme closely over the last few years, and though I originally had some doubts about the new Chavasse park (particularly with regards to the steepness), it has turned out extremely well. The planting in particular is excellent. Something on a smaller scale but with equal attention to detail but would be more than welcome in EQ.

Chavasse Park. I love it. You couldn't make it up.:nuts:

Chavasse Park. I love it. You couldn't make it up.:nuts:

Sounds like a name that could only have been chosen in an on-line poll by mischievous Mancunians, a bit like the naming of the famous "Bell End" at Manchester City.

Doesn't the Eastgate Development include the building of a new Bridge Street church? ie I was under the impression they would stay in their current location in a new building in the Eastgate Quarters.

Church is moving to Agnes Stewart school in Mabgate, but I thinkl that the planning application allowed for them to maintain a city centre presence as well.

Is this relating to the Heatherwick thing? Good news whatever the case.

I must say I've been watching the emerging Liverpool One scheme closely over the last few years, and though I originally had some doubts about the new Chavasse park (particularly with regards to the steepness), it has turned out extremely well. The planting in particular is excellent. Something on a smaller scale but with equal attention to detail but would be more than welcome in EQ.

Chavasse park is complete insanity from a development perspective (although it will no doubt look fantastic) - they basically put a 3,000 space car park underground simply so that the park could be built at grade on its roof. That's commercial suicide given it costs 3-4 times as much to dig down as to build up. It also helps to explain why Grosvenore (the developer) has already taken a £200 million loss on the scheme.

Anyway, done a bit more digging and it looks as if the greenspace will be part of the Heatherwick design.........there's a suggestion it is going to be called the Meadow.

at least no one will bitch about how ugly the car park looks!

Doesn't the Eastgate Development include the building of a new Bridge Street church?

Why are they wasting money on building a church. No offence meant to christians but how is it comercially viable to build a church. If they want to do something for the community, why limit it to the christian community?

It's because the church was there already, and so will have to be catered for by the developer, in a similar way that Downing Developments has had to include new church facilities in their 'Broadcasting Place' scheme to replace what was there previously.

Yeah, they can't just get rid of one of the biggest churches in the city. However, the services the church provides (and will provide) will be ecumenical and for all religions.

some added information which i found on the easgate development that has not been posted, but also information that we already no

104,513m2 GIA of new retail units (A1/A2/A3/A4/A5)
�� 9,290m2 GIA of office space (B1)
�� 1,000m² GIA of space for Bridge Street Pentecostal Church Facility
�� 6,690m GIA of hotel (C1)
�� 743m2 GIA of creche (D1)
�� 790m2 GP surgery (D1)
�� 6,300m² GEA of Cinema (up to 3,500 seats) (D2)
�� 4,645 m2 GIA of gym (D2)
�� Up to 600 residential units (C3)
�� 2,700 public parking spaces, 400 private residential spaces and up to 80
replacement car parking for Millgoth Police Station, plus an element of long-stay
parking for the office and hotel elements provided within the public car park
provision of 2,700 spaces.
�� Cycle Parking: 1 per 4 residential units plus space for 60 cycles for customers and
50 cycles for employees
1.1.2 At this stage the occupiers of the retail units are not known and hence it is not
possible to tailor the plan to the individual requirements of prospective firms. A Travel
Plan Framework document is therefore proposed.

found from
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/2006/week34/inter__5e727b5a-23a2-48e0-8762-b3093851a478_f496ed03-b5a0-4a0e-a42a-39503f7f6617.pdf

�� 6,300m² GEA of Cinema (up to 3,500 seats) (D2)

I've heard the Showroom in Sheffield has 650 seats, this probably means another multiplex for the site showing the same films as everywhere else in Leeds. Doesn't say much for the city if it can't support a proper independent cinema.

Doesn't say much for the city if it can't support a proper independent cinema.

Apart from Hyde Park Picture House. And Cottage Road Cinema. But yeah, other than that, you're spot on.

and Seven Arts Centre!

Apart from Hyde Park Picture House. And Cottage Road Cinema. But yeah, other than that, you're spot on.

I did say proper independents. The Headingley cinemas are ageing, single-screen suburban cinemas with limited programmes.

Perhaps arthouse would have been a more accurate term to use. Basically, Leeds needs something like Sheffield's Showroom or Manchester's Cornerhouse. We have a great International Film Festival but no decent film venue beyond Vue Light.

The cinema in Eastgate Quarters is going to be an arthouse cinema, the information above has been modified slightly.

Lots of stuff going on this area today, the substation looks finished behind Flannels and there was digging going on in numerous places, notably at the junction at the top of Vicar Lane where some deep excavations were underway.

P.S Has anyone seen the renders for the new M and S in Liverpool??? WOW WOW WOW, we need some of that quality in the Eastgate M and S.

I did say proper independents. The Headingley cinemas are ageing, single-screen suburban cinemas with limited programmes.

You're wrong.

You're wrong.

Not on every point, surely.

I think Central Leeds could do with another mainstream cinema, as well as an arthouse cinema offering.

no decent film venue beyond Vue Light.

wall to wall, floor to ceiling screens (13 of em all the same), and spot on sound quality with awesome surround sound (even right at the back), you really have to go a long way to beat the light.

The website has finally had an update, very minor changes but at least there is now mention of the architects other than Terry Farrell working on the scheme. Also a news page which offers some hope that a bit more news may be coming in the near future.

http://www.eastgateleeds.co.uk/index.php

Just heard that the compulsory purchase order for this project has justbeen confirmed. There may also be some more positive news in the next couple of days about John Lewis. Looks like all steam ahead.

Thats good news. When you say just, does this refer to just as in time, or in terms of it being a close call?
The website has now disappeared however. I know times are hard, but you've gotta pay your hosting site if you want your site to stay online.......:lol: Maybe just an error.........or an update :cheers:

Thats good news. When you say just, does this refer to just as in time, or in terms of it being a close call?
The website has now disappeared however. I know times are hard, but you've gotta pay your hosting site if you want your site to stay online.......:lol: Maybe just an error.........or an update :cheers:

Just as in hot off the press. Apparently it was a shoe in.

Council accused of 'legal robbery'



« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date:
23 June 2008
By Andrew Robinson
TWENTY objectors, among them thriving businesses, have lost their fight against the "legal robbery" of a compulsory purchase order (CPO).


Leeds Council applied for the order to clear the way for a shopping and housing development on the edge of the city centre, including a John Lewis store.

The Government has now backed the scheme and the CPO, and those who objected will be expectedADVERTISEMENTto move out shortly as the bulldozers move in.

Among those facing an uncertain future is Derek Hui, a third-generation Chinese immigrant who says his expanding business empire is under threat by what he claims is a "draconian" law.

He has spent nearly 30 years building up his Chinese supermarket and cash-and-carry businesses, helping to establish a modest Chinatown district.

That will now be swept away to make way for the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development, which includes residential accommodation, bars, shops, office space, a cinema, gym and medical centre.

Two buildings he owns – one used as a store and the other a depot – face demolition to make way for the new development.

He is facing a race against time to find new premises to store his products.

Last night Mr Hui, 51, said: "I am in limbo. This has been very costly for me, all the legal costs and now finding somewhere to move the business to."

He has previously described a CPO as "legal robbery" and instructed his lawyers to prepare legal arguments that his human rights had been infringed.

But a Government Minister has rejected the objections and said the plans are good news for Leeds.

In a letter to objectors from the Government office in Yorkshire, a planning case worker says the proposals have come about following wide consultations and "enjoy a high degree of support".

The letter adds: "While accepting that some benefits might arise from independent development this would not create the comprehensive approach that is required to rectify the lack of investment over many years and meet the masterplan objectives of constructing an authentic city centre extension.

"As the scheme is the only realistic option available and there do not appear to be any financial or legal impediments that could potentially affect the viability of it, the inspector considers there is a compelling case in the public interest to confirm the order."

Mr Hui said he believed that some of the objectors would now have 90 days to vacate their premises but he had been granted an extension to allow him to locate new premises.

However, he said this was proving difficult and he was already having problems with securing planning permission for one property.

He has appealed to Leeds Council to assist him and speed up the planning timetable.

"The timescale is very short. I have hit a brick wall with this and am now in limbo. Coffee shops and other small retailers are also suffering. For the last 10 days I have done nothing but try to sort out planning and leasing issues. This has been a big nightmare."

He claimed that the development of the land would only leave Leeds with more "cloned" shops and take away more character.






The full article contains 532 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Page 1 of 1

Last Updated: 23 June 2008 11:42 AM
Source: n/a
Location: Yorkshire

.. He claimed that the development of the land would only leave Leeds with more "cloned" shops and take away more character.


That argument always make me chuckle. By loss of character they mean loss of scruffy run down and semi derelict back streets with little opportunity for much thriving business and a bit of an embarrasment for the host city, then I think the vast majority of people would go with 'more cloned shops' option.

That argument always make me chuckle. By loss of character they mean loss of scruffy run down and semi derelict back streets with little opportunity for much thriving business and a bit of an embarrasment for the host city, then I think the vast majority of people would go with 'more cloned shops' option.

This view worries me.

Personally speaking, I love the lions factory and the chinese supermarket at the back of it is amazing. It is really sad to see it go. Its a shame too that provisions werent made to either retain the factory or at least make provisions to replocate the chinese community that was based there. It cannot be argued there is not a base for chinese business here and the chinese community just keeps growing and growing.

I know Leeds needs this developement but to not be sensitive to the above worries, and to look down your nose at the businesses already there makes me very sad. :ohno:

Just as in hot off the press. Apparently it was a shoe in.

Fair ' nuff.

The site is back as well, someone must have kicked the server.....

This view worries me.

Personally speaking, I love the lions factory and the chinese supermarket at the back of it is amazing. It is really sad to see it go. Its a shame too that provisions werent made to either retain the factory or at least make provisions to replocate the chinese community that was based there. It cannot be argued there is not a base for chinese business here and the chinese community just keeps growing and growing.

I know Leeds needs this developement but to not be sensitive to the above worries, and to look down your nose at the businesses already there makes me very sad. :ohno:



I do have sympathy for the businesses already there, but they surely will be able to be re-located somewhere in a less in-demand part of town, and surely they are being fully compensated in the 'compulsary purchase'. I would love to see a proper Chinatown in Leeds. It may be a shame about the loss of a couple of pieces of architecture too, although some is being preserved, but the area does look run down and doesn't really have any hope of attracting money for regeneration as it stands, without this full scale development plan.

This excitement over the Lyons works amuses me. It is pastiche architecture - a 20th century copy of a 19th century building, not an original. In my personal opinion, its also just not that good. The Chinese community issue is also a fallacy as there are probably only two or three businesses on site - even Mr Hui's shop is on the other side of vicar lane. Personally, I would rather have the 6,000 or so jobs that this scheme is likely to create.

and surely they are being fully compensated in the 'compulsary purchase'.

You reckon? Fully compensated for the property, movement and storage costs, business loss etc? I may be wrong but I really dont think they will be properly compensated at all.

This excitement over the Lyons works amuses me. It is pastiche architecture - a 20th century copy of a 19th century building, not an original.

I know it is but couldn't you argue the same about the Parkinson building surely? The Lyons building is still interesting to me but I accept your criticism.

The Chinese community issue is also a fallacy.

Oh? so you often do your shopping there? or are you part of the chinese community? Granted there are only a handful (is it about 5?) of what will be classed as chinese (but lets say east asian) business in and around the lions factory that will be effected by demolition but then there are more in the imediate area. Getting rid of this hadful is also getting rid of, I believe the chinese wholesalers which supports many of the near chinese business. It will destroy any chances of a potential Chinese area.

I accept that a new "Chinese" area will probably grow elsewhere and probably blossom but I think it is a shame how these businesses, like the ones in the corn exchange have been treated. What's worse is that this is being carried out by local government with no stratedgy to resettle the business and community in a more appropriate area. Its just a bit of a slap in the face and marrs a great developement.

I agree that they should be compensated fully, including all the hidden costs, and the council should exert some energy and vision to establish a Chinatown, which would be good for the Chinese (or wider east Asian?) community and Leeds as a whole, even if that requires some C.P.s to move certain other businesses out of another area. If effort was put into creating a Chinatown, I'm sure it could be substantially better than what's there now.

What's the big rush to herd all people of a particular ethnicity into a single part of town anyway?

Does seem a little odd that the council moving people with compulsary purchase then give the same people hassle over planning permission where they want to move to.

I suppose its the usual right hand not knowing what the left hands doing - but the council should be better organised - well theres a suprise! :ohno:

Does seem a little odd that the council moving people with compulsary purchase then give the same people hassle over planning permission where they want to move to.

I suppose its the usual right hand not knowing what the left hands doing - but the council should be better organised - well theres a suprise! :ohno:

Depends where they want to move to, doesn't it? Being subject to a CPO doesn't give you the right to then go and set up whereever you want without being subject to normal planning regulations.

^^
I think being subject to a CPO should mean that the council has a responsibility to constructively help and not to obstruct which is what the guy above seems to be implying.

^^
I think being subject to a CPO should mean that the council has a responsibility to constructively help and not to obstruct which is what the guy above seems to be implying.

Well, yeah, that's what he's implying, but it's hardly like he hasn't got an axe to grind with Leeds City Council at the moment is it? I'd like a bit more information - like, any information at all - before pointing any fingers.

Article in today's YEP about the granting of the CPO order: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/700m-Leeds-scheme-moves-a.4213364.jp

£700m Leeds scheme moves a step nearer

24 June 2008
By David Marsh
Municipal Reporter
PLANS for a £700m Leeds city centre development, including a new John Lewis department store, have cleared a major hurdle.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) allowing land to be assembled for the massive Eastgate-Harewood Quarter scheme – expected to create up to 8,000 jobs – has been given the green light by Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears

Her decision to confirm the order with only minor modifications followed a public inquiry held last year.

There were more than 20 objections to the CPO drawn up by Leeds City Council.

The letter confirming the minister's approval of the order said the inspector accepted there was urgent need for the area to be regenerated and was satisfied that the council had put forward a strong case for the order.

It added: "The scheme accords with national, regional and local planning policy and the expectation is that the subsequent detailed aspects will be approved.

"The proposals have come about following wide-ranging consultations and enjoy a high degree of support. The inspector is of the opinion that no suitable alternative means exist to enable the delivery of scheme for the improvement of the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area, in a timely manner."

Land covered by the order is in the north eastern part of the city centre, bounded by the A58(M) to the north, Eastgate and St Peter's Street to the east, George Street and Dyer Street to the south and Vicar Lane and Harewood Street to the west. It includes land around the eastern and southern perimeter of the central bus station, but excludes Millgarth police station.

The scheme has outline planning permission, although this is the subject of a judicial review on procedural matters.

Developers Town Centre Securities and Hammerson have formed the Leeds Partnership to carry out the development that includes shops, apartments, 2,500 car parking spaces, cinema, bars, restaurants, creche and medical centre.

Surely this would be a heck of a lot better than those two surface car parks and whilst sad to see those independent retailers go the benefits of this scheme would vastly exceed any harm caused by the loss of these units.

Is Eastgate still on course to commence construction in 2009?

yea its still set to start in 2009, dont no when thow, no new news to say otherwise, the prep work taking place is planned to be finished by next summer.

Seems to be a load of freestanding scaffold going up on the old cinema site, perhaps a giant advert?

John Lewis signs in Leeds

10:31 | 30.06.08

By Laura Chesters

John Lewis has signed up to anchor Hammerson and Town Centre Securities’ Leeds £800m Eastgate Quarters scheme.

The signing is a coup for the developers which earlier this year signed up Marks & Spencer as an anchor to the 1.5m sq ft scheme.

John Lewis signed an agreement for lease last week for a 280,000 sq ft store designed by ACME Space architect.

John Lewis is actively expanding, planning its store locations far in advance. It eventually plans 55 stores in the UK and Ireland and has 26 trading to date.

The Leeds scheme will create more than 100 shops with a restaurant district and up to 600 new homes to open in 2012.

Powerful combination

Planning permission for the development was granted in February 2007 and the Leeds Partnership - Hammerson and Town Centre Securities - is currently developing detailed designs for the scheme, following the appointment of its architectural team earlier this year.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) allowing land to be assembled for the Eastgate Quarters scheme was given the Green light by Department for Communities and Local Government earlier this month.

David Atkins, managing director for UK retail at Hammerson, said: ‘Securing John Lewis and Marks & Spencer as anchor tenants is an exceptionally powerful combination for both retailers and consumers. The strength of the retail offer combined with dynamic architecture, ensures Eastgate Quarters will become a thriving and successful part of the city.’

DTZ advised the Leeds Partnership.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3117072&c=1

John Lewis signs in Leeds

10:31 | 30.06.08

By Laura Chesters

John Lewis has signed up to anchor Hammerson and Town Centre Securities’ Leeds £800m Eastgate Quarters scheme.

The signing is a coup for the developers which earlier this year signed up Marks & Spencer as an anchor to the 1.5m sq ft scheme.

John Lewis signed an agreement for lease last week for a 280,000 sq ft store designed by ACME Space architect.

John Lewis is actively expanding, planning its store locations far in advance. It eventually plans 55 stores in the UK and Ireland and has 26 trading to date.

The Leeds scheme will create more than 100 shops with a restaurant district and up to 600 new homes to open in 2012.

Powerful combination

Planning permission for the development was granted in February 2007 and the Leeds Partnership - Hammerson and Town Centre Securities - is currently developing detailed designs for the scheme, following the appointment of its architectural team earlier this year.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) allowing land to be assembled for the Eastgate Quarters scheme was given the Green light by Department for Communities and Local Government earlier this month.

David Atkins, managing director for UK retail at Hammerson, said: ‘Securing John Lewis and Marks & Spencer as anchor tenants is an exceptionally powerful combination for both retailers and consumers. The strength of the retail offer combined with dynamic architecture, ensures Eastgate Quarters will become a thriving and successful part of the city.’

DTZ advised the Leeds Partnership.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3117072&c=1

I feel like I've just woken up in 2004........

May be obvious, but why when John Lewis have been involved from day 1 of this scheme have they only just signed a lease?????:sly:

Great news. I think this scheme will move ahead at a pace now all the dotting of i's and crossing of t's has been done.

Roll on 2012.

I feel like I've just woken up in 2004........

May be obvious, but why when John Lewis have been involved from day 1 of this scheme have they only just signed a lease?????:sly:

Because the CPO has only just been confirmed.

Good to see this progressing despite the credit crunch. Quite a vote of confidence in Leeds.

ha, as I know from sitting in my office sit at 2100 some nights, legal docs can take quite a while to sign....... d'oh. Hell, who cares, glad to see JL have formally signed for the site. This has the potential to be miles more exciting that most of other big schemes going on the city - will transform this part of town.

ha, as I know from sitting in my office sit at 2100 some nights, legal docs can take quite a while to sign....... d'oh. Hell, who cares, glad to see JL have formally signed for the site. This has the potential to be miles more exciting that most of other big schemes going on the city - will transform this part of town.

Difference is John Lewis had signed a Heads of Terms (an agreement in principle that they were interested to be part of the scheme). This has very little legal commitment.

They have now signed a full agreement to lease - no backing out and a firm commitment under precise legal terms.

hope this clears up the mystery (as a side note it has no link or relevance to the announcement of CPO)
:nuts:

.

hope this clears up the mystery (as a side note it has no link or relevance to the announcement of CPO)
:nuts:

Still doesn't explain why it took FOUR BLINKING YEARS to get from Heads of Terms to a signed lease - that can't be normal! I thought Hammerson did lots of deals with John Lewis (Southampton, Sheffield, Brent Cross). Sorry to disagree, Flatcap, but that must mean that the CPO and exchanging the lease are connected.

Double post

Still doesn't explain why it took FOUR BLINKING YEARS to get from Heads of Terms to a signed lease - that can't be normal! I thought Hammerson did lots of deals with John Lewis (Southampton, Sheffield, Brent Cross). Sorry to disagree, Flatcap, but that must mean that the CPO and exchanging the lease are connected.

Have Marks and Spencer the other confirmed anchor tenant of Eastgate signed their lease yet which 100% confirms that they are on board or have they still yet to confirm one way or the other? Still at least it is good news that John Lewis have agreed their lease as a sign this scheme is still all to go.

Have Marks and Spencer the other confirmed anchor tenant of Eastgate signed their lease yet which 100% confirms that they are on board or have they still yet to confirm one way or the other? Still at least it is good news that John Lewis have agreed their lease as a sign this scheme is still all to go.

They are formally signed up

They are formally signed up

Sorry to sound thick but does that definately 100% mean Marks and Spencer have they signed a lease to open up at Eastgate or is there some other hurdle for them to go through?

Sorry to sound thick but does that definately 100% mean Marks and Spencer have they signed a lease to open up at Eastgate or is there some other hurdle for them to go through?


There will probably be getout clauses (e.g. longstop dates), but if Hammerson know what thye are doing (and I suspect tthey do) M&S won't be able to pull out unilaterally

Speaking to some people who deal with JLP all the time, they very rarely sign their name to the post in the same timescales as other department stores, however appears that times a changing especially if the they want to increase their store numbers in the Uk as they continually state.

Reading financial papers it appears that developers will have to think long and hard in the current crunch having them in schemes, as they hinder viability and cost too much. Either that or their business model will have to change!

Good news for Leeds though - I suggest a ticker tape parade on Eastgate!

Yeah but it´s a bit different with Leeds. The economy may be going down and that but
a) 2012 will be different
b) There is no JL in the entire city region. It would fill their only gap in coverage and encompass around 3.5m people. So I think they should be quite keen to press ahead with it.

Still doesn't explain why it took FOUR BLINKING YEARS to get from Heads of Terms to a signed lease - that can't be normal! I thought Hammerson did lots of deals with John Lewis (Southampton, Sheffield, Brent Cross). Sorry to disagree, Flatcap, but that must mean that the CPO and exchanging the lease are connected.

You are right 5th Elevation, its not normal. It usually takes longer than that (just have a look at the Sheffield blog.)

Sorry Sherlock but you are barking up the wrong tree with CPO. :bash:

Yeah but it´s a bit different with Leeds. The economy may be going down and that but
a) 2012 will be different
b) There is no JL in the entire city region. It would fill their only gap in coverage and encompass around 3.5m people. So I think they should be quite keen to press ahead with it.

Amazing how every city thinks its different!

Reality is cash out in hard times bites even the best of schemes. Lets hope the developer stays brave and tries to ride out the cycle on this one.

They will, the crash isn't so big to abandon an almost decade long investment.

They will, the crash isn't so big to abandon an almost decade long investment.

especially when you've already signed up two huge anchor units which hopefully will attract some of the smaller stores......

The chinese supermarket is relocating down North Street

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/business-news/John-Lewis-signs-on-the.4279223.jp
John Lewis signs on the line to open massive Leeds store

The John Lewis Partnership has now officially signed up to Leeds' Eastgate Quarter development.

11 July 2008
Nigel Scott
Business Editor

RETAILER the John Lewis Partnership has officially signed up to be the anchor tenant of the Eastgate Quarters shopping scheme planned for the centre of Leeds.


It has put pen to paper on a lease agreement with The Leeds Partnership, a joint venture between Hammerson plc and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities plc.

The 275,000 sq ft flagship store will be the first in the city for the retailer and will offer a full range of fashion, homeware, advice services and customer catering facilities.

In total the Eastgate scheme will cover 1.5m sq ft.

Designed by ACME Space, the new store will be the third John Lewis within Hammerson's city centre retail development portfolio following stores planned for Sheffield and Leicester due to open this September.

The £800m Leeds development will also be anchored by a 196,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer store.

The project will create more than 100 new shops together with a restaurant district and up to 600 new homes.

Planning permission for the development was granted in February 2007 and the Leeds Partnership is currently developing detailed designs for the scheme, following the appointment of its architectural team earlier this year.

It is anticipated that construction of Eastgate Quarters will begin in 2009, with completion in 2012.

Coun Andrew Carter, deputy leader and executive board member with responsibility for development, said: "This confirmation that John Lewis has signed the lease on its space at Eastgate Quarters is a significant moment for the city.

"The fact that its store in Leeds will be the largest in the area says a lot about the confidence they have in investing in our city.

"John Lewis is a company which is renowned for being an exceptionally good employer - and the new store will improve job prospects for people here. I'm pleased there's so much interest in what we're doing in Leeds."

Every time I see this thread has a new post I'm expecting bad news! Maybe it's just an overreaction but the crappy economic climate seems to be intent on dragging down anything half decent in the city at the mo......

The timescales seem a little strange for this one too. We already have the CPO confirmation yet have absolutely no sign of the detailed design or any kind of delivery schedule really being established (despite the promise of info going to plans panel late spring/ early summer this year....hmmmm........) yet Sevenstone has detailed designs and demo ready to kick off in earnest yet are still wranging over land ownership and details that looked to have been resolved at outline stage a while back.

Every time I see this thread has a new post I'm expecting bad news! Maybe it's just an overreaction but the crappy economic climate seems to be intent on dragging down anything half decent in the city at the mo......


tbh, i can't see Eastgate happening even though it's the one i most want to see get built in Leeds. The thought of that dreadful surface car park and the mangey buildings still standing in five years time is enough to make me vomit. :puke:

http://i37.tinypic.com/2dbukb6.jpg

we havent heard any bad news on this so far with the credit crunch ect so fingers crossed we dont, i feal optemistic that it will still start next year

If you look carefully you can see a small observation type tower in the centre of the yellow boulevard,it must be a old proposal.

The observation tower was just an idea. It really just represents the fact that the thinking is there should be iconic landmarks along The Headrow, including here at Blomfield Square.

There is no reason Eastgate shouldn't go ahead. Only a very small part of it is residential. John Lewis' sales are declining atm, but it signed formally the other day so that's enough to defeat any doubt there.

I have it on good authority that Apple have commited in principle to their largest flagship store outside of London in Eastgate. Would be yet another major coup for the scheme as Apple love their iconic buildings when they go flagship. I will see if I can get more info.

I suppose its in the mixer at the moment. Hammerson are a FTSE company with a massive development pipeline and a proven history of delivery of these sort of schemes. M&S and John Lewis formally signing provide significant impetus, and the fact remains that this isn't a residential anchored scheme......it's a true mixed use scheme less reliant on the need to sell off plan significant numbers of apartments.

I suspect that the construction financing isn't yet secured, in-fact they may not need to formally agree banking facilities until they start on site (obviously alot has been already expended on land purchase, CPOs, marketing and architect fees), but the main costs won't need to be drawn until late 2009/2010, when funding costs may have ameliorated.

I don't know whether Hammerson are funding via their own working capital / revolving credit facilities, or doing this through a special purpose vehicle (company set up specifically for the project - either with or without recourse to the corporate parent).

The site states 'over 500' residential units. The first thing is that they could cut these out. Where are they meant to be going? It's a pretty desirable location to live in; or will be. Central Leeds, as with all centres, always will remain desirable and people will want to live right in the centre of things. By the time this is complete, you would have hoped the economy might be looking a bit better.

Office and retail demand is still huge in Leeds though. The residential space could be replaced by office space.

'-1,450,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and leisure experience
-A highly visible prime location
-Stunning and sophisticated architecture alongside sensitively restored heritage landmarks
-2 department stores and 10 flagship retail units
-130 retail and restaurant units in total.
-An unrivalled unique ‘City Village’ for cutting-edge desirable designer brands
-Retailing at its very best – with industry leaders
-A unique choice of sophisticated aspirational restaurants and cafés
-Over 500 residential units
-An art house cinema
-Parking for 2,700 vehicles with unrivalled accessibility
-Continuous footfall – 24/7 for shoppers, office workers, residents, visitors, socialisers and locals
-Adjacent to the thriving Victoria Arcade, home to Harvey Nichols
-Expressive of nature in the heart of the city together with a variety of cultural experiences
-A symbol of community pride – sharing and furthering Leeds’ ambition as a regional capital and dynamic European City
-Environmental improvements – giving Leeds its missing quarters back to create a new shopping and entertainment heart for the city.'

I have it on good authority that Apple have commited in principle to their largest flagship store outside of London in Eastgate. Would be yet another major coup for the scheme as Apple love their iconic buildings when they go flagship. I will see if I can get more info.

Good to hear that, although if it is true it still means Leeds will have to go a good few years without an Apple store. Ideally, there would be one in the city sooner... I suppose KRCS do a good job for the time being though.

If they cancelled this then surely they would face legal action from the chinese shops and restaurants that have already been forced to shut; i noticed yesterday that the Jade Unicorn restaurant has shut and it said with no plans of relocation which is very sad news for them as they were lovely people that ran it.

i noticed yesterday that the Jade Unicorn restaurant has shut and it said with no plans of relocation which is very sad news for them as they were lovely people that ran it.

Was that the one in the Lyon Works building?

I had heard that they were probably trading illegally anyway!

Apple

good news! I heard through pals who worked on their shop fit on Regent Street that they asked for millions of pounds on the stair core and lifts etc. Hope they dont ask for that on Leeds!

Was that the one in the Lyon Works building?

If the Lyon building is that really nice old warehouse that they're knocking down then yeh, it said "closed down due to re-development with no plans of re-location". Really nice restaurant as well :( but it's for a better development so :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2672382678_e14a196b8e_b.jpg

If the Lyon building is that really nice old warehouse that they're knocking down


It was a tailoring factory dating from the 1930's. S.H.Lyons and Co. manufacturing mens suits labelled 'Alexandre'.

That is a good picture. It shows how the rich urban fabric of the rest of the city comes to an abrupt end and the architectural quality represented by the markets and Milgarth is significantly lower. The northern part of the skyline seems to work alright from that vantage point too.

The site states 'over 500' residential units. The first thing is that they could cut these out. Where are they meant to be going?


The resi is mainly above the Heatherwick Harewood Courts retail units.

Do we know what standard they will be? I don't expect that they will be low quality thrown up for quick cash type stuff in Harewood Courts? The VQ has some six star serviced apartments I think...

There was a large excavator on the car park side of the A64M inner ring road digging some fairly substantial trenches yesterday, which I'm sure will be some preparatory services work for Eastgate Qtrs. As they are due to start construction work next year, I would expect some substantial preparartion ground works to begin fairly soon, probably later this year.

[QUOTE=Leeds No.1;22853578]Do we know what standard they will be? I don't expect that they will be low quality thrown up for quick cash type stuff in Harewood Courts? The VQ has some six star serviced apartments I think...[/QUOTE

From what I understand its quality resi linked to the high end names on Harewood retail, however in the current climate its difficult to say whats viable and whats not in Leeds.

From the Business Desk.com:


Hammerson rental income up despite tough market

7th August 2008

By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor


PROPERTY group Hammerson, which is involved in two major schemes in Yorkshire, today said it had made a loss of more than £400m over the first half of the year before adjustments. Hammerson saw pre-tax profits dip from £367.8m in the first six months of 2007 to a loss before tax of £417.1m this time. However, adjusted pre-tax profits rose 10.4% to £60.5m, buoyed by robust rental income growth.

The London-based group, which has a portfolio of retail sites in the UK and France as well as London offices, said it was taking a "prudent approach" to its development portfolio given current market conditions and said it was unlikely any of its pipeline of new schemes would start on site before summer 2009.

The company said it was progressing the schemes through their feasibility, site assembly and planning stages. Net rental income increased by 5.4% from £138.3m to £145.8m, but total property assets dipped from £7.27bn to £7.09bn. The group recorded an increase in adjusted earnings per share of 10.3% to 20.3p.

Chairman John Nelson said problems which began 12 months ago within the international banking sector were continuing to have a major impact on real estate investment markets, where liquidity depends largely on the availability of debt finance. "As a consequence, commercial property values in the UK remained under pressure in the first six months of 2008, although the market in France continued to show resilience," Mr Nelson said.

Hammerson confirmed that agreements for leases at its Eastgate Quarter retail scheme in Leeds city centre had been signed with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer for anchor stores of 26,000 sq m and 18,250 sq m respectively. The CPO inquiry at the site has also been completed and confirmed by the Secretary of State, the company said. The Eastgate Quarter project is being developed by Hammerson in a joint venture with Leeds-based Town Centre Securities.

Mr Nelson added: "The fundamentals of the company's business remain very sound. Our portfolio is of the highest quality, is focused on prime retail and office assets in the UK and France, and generates a robust and growing income stream. Our income will increase significantly over the next few years following the completion of five major developments this year and one in 2009. Our balance sheet is strong and we are well-financed.

"The conditions in the international debt markets are the most difficult to have been experienced for many years. This has led to falls in real estate values in a number of markets and it is difficult to predict when conditions will improve. However, given the strength of our business and our experienced management team, I believe we are in a good position to exploit these more difficult market conditions."

Summer 2009 has been the date for quite some time I believe.

Summer 2009 has been the date for quite some time I believe.

From what I understand it will probably be well into 2010 before they start proper... Albeit they have a confirmed CPO so they'll have to work quickly!

From what I understand it will probably be well into 2010 before they start proper...

And why would you be privileged with that information? :shifty:

And why would you be privileged with that information? :shifty:

I was having a few pints with a guy from the Council who's heavily involved - he was blabbing after a few of these - :cheers:

Hammerson holds fire on new shopping centres
08/08/2008 09:00

Hammerson says it is unlikely to start any new shopping centre schemes before next summer although it reported a good take-up those under development.

It also said it was unlikely to build any more offices until the end of 2009.

The statement came with the announcement of interim pretax losses of £417m, down from a profit of £368m a year ago, attributed to the devaluation of its properties by some £407m.

The interims matched expectations and caused few nasty surprises. Adjusted NAV per shares fell about 10% from £15.45 to £13.92. It saw a 4.4% increase in like-for-like rental income. Total net income rose 5.4% to £145.8m.

Hammerson said there was no sign that administrations among its tenants had risen. It has stepped up incentives for potential tenants in the City of London.

Its business in France performed better than its British developments.

The shares fell 24p to 965p. British Land fell 12p to 725p.

The city council employees must be getting nervous. With so many of the cities projects on hold and a potential major delay to Eastgate Quarters must mean a shrinking of a few departments in the development wing of the council?

I have it on good authority that Apple have commited in principle to their largest flagship store outside of London in Eastgate. Would be yet another major coup for the scheme as Apple love their iconic buildings when they go flagship. I will see if I can get more info.

Hi, new to these forums.
I hope that this is true, would love to see Apple in Leeds!!

Just thought... Selfridges pulled out because Leeds didn't already have established department stores or something right?? Well if M&S is moving to Eastgate, that leaves the massive M&S on Briggate available, so Selfridges may see that John Lewis's and M&S are doing well, and decide to move into that building.

Probably just wishful thinking, but I refuse to believe Sefridges will not open in Leeds!

Well if M&S is moving to Eastgate, that leaves the massive M&S on Briggate available

M&S are keeping both.

The city council employees must be getting nervous. With so many of the cities projects on hold and a potential major delay to Eastgate Quarters must mean a shrinking of a few departments in the development wing of the council?

Nope.

Selfridges pulled out of Eastgate as the company changed ownership and scrapped its expansion plan, they still own a large site in Edinburgh that was due to become a new store.

Selfridges pulled out of Eastgate as the company changed ownership and scrapped its expansion plan, they still own a large site in Edinburgh that was due to become a new store.

You mean Glasgow.

Thats the one! It was quite a while ago when I read about it.

I still don't think it's inconceivable a Selfridges will appear in Leeds, just have a feeling.

No-one will be suprised if Selfridges announce to open in Leeds sometime in the future I don't think, but it's not likely to happen if they stated their aim to focus on existing stores as they did.

Having visited Selfridges in Manchester last week though, I really don't think Leeds is missing much by not having Selfridges. It wasn't a particularly impressive store, and all the brands that were in it are easily available in Harvey Nichols or the shops in and around the Victoria Quarter. Having a large John Lewis store is going to be worth alot more to the city I feel.

M&S are keeping both.

Thats just greedy.. :lol:

Thats just greedy.. :lol:

or probably get the Eastgate one up and running, realise that 2 stores is diluting their brand and dump the Trinity one - suspect Land Sec are paying them a whole load of money to stay put just now.

I don't think it's worth worrying about that much. M&S are going to have a store in the city whatever happens, and the Eastgate store will be a high quality store.

If M&S on Briggate does close eventually, with all it's retail operations moving to Eastgate, it will result in a large, vacant retail space on Briggate and in Trinity which I would think would be attractive to many retailers looking for space in the city.

... Having a large John Lewis store is going to be worth alot more to the city I feel.

I totally agree with that. If anyone wants a taste of a brand new full size John Lewis as we are set to get in Leeds, I suggest a visit to Liverpool 1's brand new store. The quality of the store environment, and the vast range of quality goods with something to interest anyone but not unrealistically priced, has to be a major all round asset to any city. It's a truly elegant but comprehensive department store.

.... It's a truly elegant but comprehensive department store.

It's just a shame it doesn't pay any rent :)

Yes, comprehensive is a good word. I found Selfridges to be really a bit of a gimmick- the city shouts about having it, then you get there to find that it's nothing on the London store and the decor what you expect in Debenhams. There were no displays or anything, and the floor in Primark is a higher quality than the glitter-grip floor in Selfridges.

So having seen what provincial Selfridges is like, I'm not fussed about having it at all.