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.

Although by that point perhaps Trinity and Eastgate would have "sucked Briggate dry" (said the Bishop to the Actress)

They might have done, but people are still going to have to cross Briggate to get from the station to Eastgate and from the Bus Station to Trinity. It's not like they're building a new shopping centre at the centre of the city that is meant to be the new focal point. I think the VQ will always act as a good anchor for Briggate, as well as the arcades. If chains start to move off Briggate, it could see Briggate develop into a speciality, designer or independent shopping area which would be interesting.

Spoke to someone* yesterday who reckons this is still very much a goer. Should hear some news in the next month or two.

*Someone who really should know.....

I see Leicester Highcross has opened today. Perhaps now this is done Hammerson will focus attention to Leeds (Sheffield is not really worth the effort after all!!!). :banana:

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.

I've been to Selfridges in Brum a number of times. It is an impressive store and the decor is good but in the end all it is everything in the VQ set on multiple floors without any of the beautiful victorian surroundings that the VQ arcades offer. I'm not bothered if Leeds doesn't have one, but I wouldn't turn one down. Anyway, for most people, John Lewis will be a much more important store anyway (I go to the Solihull one quite often). I mean, you don't go to Selfridges to by a washing machine do you!

They don't sell washing machines? Next you'll be telling me they don't sell fridges!

...we-ell, someone had to do it :clown:

I wouldn't turn a Selfridges down either; I like Selfridges in London. Just the one in Manchester was naff. But yes, the VQ is a much nicer, unique and more interesting shopping destination.

Apolgies if this has already posted:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3121762&c=1

John Lewis expansion put on hold

05 September 2008

By Will Henley

Stores by O’Donnell & Tuomey and Acme mothballed amid slowdown

Plans for two flagship John Lewis stores in Yorkshire — by O’Donnell & Tuomey and Acme — have been placed on hold amid a wider slowdown in the retail giant’s development.

Developer Hammerson confirmed this week that a John Lewis store by Acme in Leeds’ £800 million Eastgate Quarters scheme and a branch by O’Donnell & Tuomey in the £600 million Sevenstone development in Sheffield had been mothballed until summer 2009 “at least”.

This follows an admission by the John Lewis Partnership that its ambitious plan to open up to 20 new branches in locations such as Cardiff, Stratford, Oxford, Portsmouth, Crawley and Lisburn in Northern Ireland — by Benoy, Chapman Taylor, Pick Everard, BDP, and Jacobs Architecture respectively — is set to be constrained by the credit crunch.

It coincides with the opening this week of its Foreign Office Architects-designed flagship in Leicester, a 22,000sq m anchor store for Hammerson’s 100,000 sq m Highcross scheme.

“[The Sheffield and Leeds stores] have been put back a little bit,” a spokeswoman for Hammerson said. “The pressures on developers aren’t exactly secret.

“Borrowing and construction costs have gone up. You have to look at cost projections. If you move things on quickly, you might make it more expensive.”

Speaking to the Independent on Sunday, JLP managing director Andy Street admitted developers could halt its ambitions.

“Yes, the brakes could be put on our roll-out of stores across the UK. But it’s not down to us, it’s down to the property companies.”

But a spokeswoman for the retailer said plans for nine stores officially in the pipeline are still in place: “We are confident that more shops will be announced,” she said. “The current climate affects developers, but John Lewis takes a long-term view because we don’t have to respond to shareholders.

“We remain committed to bringing all those shops in the public domain to fruition.”

Friedrich Ludewig, a director at Acme, insisted he was relaxed that construction on his design would not start this year. “I’m confident it will be built eventually,” he said.

O’Donnell & Tuomey was unavailable for comment.

^^ Does this mean that the whole of Eastgate will be put on hold until John Lewis are ready to move on, or will Eastgate start to progress with the build and add John Lewis a bit later on down the line? I hope to god its not the latter..!

We weren't actually expecting a start until summer 2009 anyway though so...

It was the "at least" bit that worried me.

It was the "at least" bit that worried me.

Yes me too. To steal a Mighty Boosh line 'I've got a bad feeling about this' :(

At least Trinity has kicked off, I have long said that I regard Trinity as a higher priority for Leeds than the Eastgate quarter.

I saw that story yesterday but there's really not much to it. The comment from the ACME guy was strange, the store was never going to start this year anyway, it even states on their own website that it's starting next year.

By the time the public consultation and planning apps are all sorted out and detailed consent granted it will be getting on for Q3 next year, which sounds like it's been the expected date for some time anyway.

What is slightly strange is that 2012 is still the hoped for completion date, that seems ambitious unles they are condensing the programme quite a bit.

It's just fears that the developers are going to delay starting, to wait for lending and construction costs to improve. Events in the US in the last few days and dropping oil prices should help in the long term, and as we weren't even going to see any site clearance until next year it may not effect us much. I think most of the comment was aimed at the Sheffield retail quarter development which was due to start before ours and has recently had high profile news reports of a delay to starting of at least a year.

It's just fears that the developers are going to delay starting, to wait for lending and construction costs to improve. Events in the US in the last few days and dropping oil prices should help in the long term,

The news from America will probably send oil prices whizzing upwards again. :(

BREAKING: Leeds-based Town Centre Securities reports £11.2m loss, warns of "challenging times".

TCS chairman Edward Ziff says times are challenging.

« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryADVERTISEMENTPublished Date:
10 September 2008
By Nigel Scott
Business Editor
THE CHAIRMAN and chief executive of Leeds-based property investment and development firm Town Centre Securities admitted today that it could be late 2009 before falling property values begin to stabilise.

Edward Ziff's comments came as the firm's preliminary results for the year ended June 30, 2008, showed a loss of £11.2m (2007: £500,000 profit).

The headline figure includes a property revaluation deficit of £73.3m which compares with a £23.6m surplus a year ago.

Underlying profit was flat at £7.2m.

The company's property portfolio valuation of £450m reflects a 15.7 per cent fall from 2007's £515m.

The proposed final dividend is 5.40p, unchanged from a year ago, bringing a total dividend per share of 8.15p (2007: 7.50p plus a special dividend of 20p).

Mr Ziff said this morning: "Whilst I remain optimistic for the continued long-term success of our business, we are facing challenging times.

"Property values continue to fall and I believe it will be later in 2009, at the earliest, before prices stabilise."

Over the year, the firm carried out major refurbishment projects at sites including the Merrion Centre, Leeds, and West Park, Harrogate.

It said "good, if cautious" progress had also been made on the flagship Eastgate Quarters, Leeds, scheme in which it is a development partner with Hammerson plc.

John Lewis Partnership and Marks and Spencer were now committed anchor tenants and the compulsory purchase order for the site had been confirmed.

"Even in today's weak market conditions, we are delighted to be part of such a strong retail led mixed-use scheme," Mr Ziff said.

Elsewhere, Mr Ziff said the firm also remained wary of the potential impact of tenancy failures as its portfolio was predominantly retail.

He added: "In recent years we have resisted acquiring assets in a market where pricing had been too aggressive to generate adequate returns.

"As a result TCS is in a strong position. We continue to look selectively at opportunities to sell assets that do not fit our long term strategy.

"This, together with our robust financing arrangements, should strengthen further our ability to move forward with development projects and provide firepower to acquire new assets for investment and development when the time is right."

The company says it will only enter new development or refurbishment projects "after rigorous analysis of funding and project risk".

Capital commitments to complete existing contracts will be funded from working capital and TCS said that, overall, it believed its funding arrangements to be robust.

Mr Ziff concluded by thanking "all my colleagues at TCS for their invaluable support and good humour through an unusually challenging period".



(a pound shop, really?)
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4718713.ece

I just spotted this render on Hammerson's website. Apologies if it's been shown before but I don't recall having seen it. My assumption is that it's an indication of how John Lewis could look, rather than an architect's proposal. Then again, I could be completely wrong.


http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/13/133289/images/slide-Eastgate-Quarters-1.jpg

^^ its okish i guess.. I prefer the new one in Leicester though..

Found a render of the 'Templar Arcade', part of the Eastgate Quarter on this excellent little website which covers many of the city centre developments. Appologies if this has already been posted.

http://www.leedsrisingcity.org/#/citycentremosaic/06


The render can be found on the Brown mosaic tile on the right hand side.

As mentioned, it is a render of a covered Briggate- the roof design being one that could be applied to Templar Street.

Looking at the image from leedsrisingcity.org, a few things should be noted about the redevelopment of areas east of Vicar Lane.

-Blomfield Square to be a green square (previously a criticism from the Civic Trust I believe, and one that could have stumbled planning permission? Now improved, hopefully increased support from Civic Trust and other sceptics).
-Green space at Millgarth
-Tall building on the south east corner of Millgarth (adjacent to Bus Station).
-Paved Templar Square to link Grand Arcade and Templar Arcade- could encourage regenerational improvements on Vicar Lane and New Briggate?
-Eastgate pedestrianised from Harewood Street (therefore indicating buses could run up and/or down George Street from Eastgate and Vicar Lane to the bus station).
-Possible link bridge across St. Peters Street
-New multi-storey market building adjacent to the NCP car park
-Remodelled market based around 'Market Square' concept.
-Chinese Gate at the foot of Quarry Hill on The Headrow axis.

Hopefully the placing of the China gate means that a new proposal for a Leeds Chinatown is taking shape, otherwise if not, I don't really see what the point is of a solitary china gate is?

I have expressed before in a different thread my view on a china town in Leeds (if you want it again I will post link), and I hope to god that if we get one it will be on par/better than the Manc one.. cause lets face it, even though we dont like to admit it.. Manc Chinatown is pretty impressive..

Please LCC.. do us proud.

I think Manchester's Chinatown is quite shabby actually. Was very disappointed and underwhelmed last time I visited. It's a world away from the glitziness of Exchange Square and even Piccadilly.

I can't imagine that the China Gate indicates a China Town, unless Chinese businesses are able to re-open in an area of Eastgate. Quarry Hill won't be happening for ages, so I can't expect a Chinatown being created on Quarry Hill any time soon.

Found a render of the 'Templar Arcade', part of the Eastgate Quarter on this excellent little website which covers many of the city centre developments. Appologies if this has already been posted.

http://www.leedsrisingcity.org/#/citycentremosaic/06


The render can be found on the Brown mosaic tile on the right hand side.

Putting that roof over Briggate would be an absolute stroke of genius - a real iconic landmark, linking all the arcades of Leeds. Just hope the council have the balls to do it...

I don't like the idea. I like arcades and groups of arcades like the Victoria Quarter, but I don't want to see Central Leeds turn into one massive covered shopping centre. The open and relaxed feel of Leeds is what has excelled it's shopping experience above that of Manchester and Birmingham remember. I would welcome arcades in other places; Lower Albion Street being one.

Need to be careful to make sure that each arcade is unique and impressive though, and really is an arcade not a shopping centre.

I'm firmly down in the nay category for covering Briggate. Covering Briggate would be effectively making Leeds City into a massive shopping center, and I don't want to feel like i'm in a massive shopping center when i'm in the city, I want to feel like im in the 'hustle & bustle' so to speak. I think that's the allure of the city, the idea of being in the heart of a thriving fast paced environment.

With regards to the China gate, I really cant express how much I hope they don't just put it there without developing a china town area. If people see a china gate they are going to presume that is where a china town is, and when they find out its just been plonked there after venturing that way, its just going to leave them disappointed.

Its being used as the EQ show piece, which makes no sense seen as there's no oriental styling in the EQ?! What a waste.. :ohno:

Well it could always be moved if a China town didn't develop on Quarry Hill/Eastgate but somewhere else. It's better to put it up somewhere than nowhere at all. Holbeck would be an interesting area for a China town I think.

I think Holbeck is a bit too far to attract the visitors. Quarry Hill would be good, as would Rosville road (as voiced before) because of EQ. The fact its a new development is going to attract footfall and these two locations are right next to EQ so therefore a good area to develop.

Well Liverpool has a chinatown that is well away from the shopping areas and city core.

I think Holbeck has the character to deliver a successful China Town. I'm looking at the fact that Eastgate is going to be attractive for big retailers and rents probably quite high. It is natural this will and should be the case, so smaller retailers will have to look to other areas of the city. A connected Holbeck is one option I believe. The Calls would be another.

I disagree with that.

Liverpool's China Town is at most a three minute walk from the Hanover Street/Church Street junction, when heading along Bold Street, it lies at the edge of city core but not out side it. The China Town lies pretty much at the end of bold street, which is one of Liverpool's busiest shopping streets.

Leeds's China Town should be developed in a similar area, near Eastgate or Mabgate, that area. Holbeck may be, for the time being, a bit remote for tourists! :)

^^My sentiments exactly

I disagree with that.

Liverpool's China Town is at most a three minute walk from the Hanover Street/Church Street junction, when heading along Bold Street, it lies at the edge of city core but not out side it. The China Town lies pretty much at the end of bold street, which is one of Liverpool's busiest shopping streets.

Leeds's China Town should be developed in a similar area, near Eastgate or Mabgate, that area. Holbeck may be, for the time being, a bit remote for tourists! :)

Liverpool has a china town because it has/had a large chinese population .This isbecause it was a major sea port,similar to San Francisco.
They were natural "ghettos",not engineered for business.They grew up from immigrants congregating together in a particular area.
The chinese population in Leeds is comparatively small to Liverpool and for that fact Manchester.
If we were to artificailly engineer a ghetto/town then it should be for a little India or Ireland,the two places that have produced the largest influxes of immigrants in the last 150 years.
The chinese area welcome addition to the population,but their contribution to Leeds as a whole is very small compared to these two groups,or for that matter Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.

And has been suggested before,a "Little India" would be great on Kirkgate.

Yea I suggested a Little India a while back, but I think a chinatown would work. Just because the chinese population of Leeds is smaller that other ethnic groups I think that your forgetting the major point. While chinatowns were the ghettos for immigrants and the chinese population, these days chinatowns are attractions. They are designed as a.. gimmick if you please, to attract visitors and pull in the cash. It would boost the Leeds economy a great deal as a development. Given the choice of a chinese restaurant down greek street say, or visiting a replicated chinese village for the meal, I know which I would prefer, and i'm guessing most people. Fair enough Leeds may not have a huge chinese population, but why should this be a reason not to develop said area, its not as if the chinese community are going to be the sole visitors is it?!

Isnt Bradford Leeds' little india ? :)

merseyside (the closest comparison to Leeds in terms of boundaries) has 0.73% chinese ethnicty

Leeds has 0.84% chinese ethnicty

so neither really has any sizeable proportion by a long way

Yea I suggested a Little India a while back, but I think a chinatown would work. Just because the chinese population of Leeds is smaller that other ethnic groups I think that your forgetting the major point. While chinatowns were the ghettos for immigrants and the chinese population, these days chinatowns are attractions. They are designed as a.. gimmick if you please, to attract visitors and pull in the cash. It would boost the Leeds economy a great deal as a development. Given the choice of a chinese restaurant down greek street say, or visiting a replicated chinese village for the meal, I know which I would prefer, and i'm guessing most people. Fair enough Leeds may not have a huge chinese population, but why should this be a reason not to develop said area, its not as if the chinese community are going to be the sole visitors is it?!
Agreed about the chinese not being the sole visitors,but its hardly original to have a China town.So engineering one as a tourist gimmick would be pretty shallow.If one was to engineer such a gimmick then why not make it one that is unique in the country AND is also culturally related to Leeds as it is now.

I see it the Indian sub continent has far more to do with Leeds than China,and as Liverpool and Manchester already have a China town then we should be different have a little India,hopefully completely different to the Curry Mile in Manchester.

Leeds has a large Muslim, Jewish and Christian population if we want to make 'Little Israel' :)

Leeds's China Town should be developed in a similar area, near Eastgate or Mabgate, that area. Holbeck may be, for the time being, a bit remote for tourists! :)

Tell me if i'm missing something but why would people visiting Leeds want to visit 'china town' as a tourist attraction? Its an interesting concept and i would welcome it but with Leeds chinese population being so small, just don't see it working. What some people would say was Leeds chinatown up until recently was only a few wholesalers and a supermarket anyway. :dunno:

^^ Because people from the places close to Leeds.. Bradford, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Harrogate, Castleford, Barnsley, and maybe even Derby, are all places that don't have such an attraction, and at the same time the main group of people the visit Leeds on a regular basis.

I would hardly call what we had a chinatown, not even a 'china village' as it was called. It was as you said a wholesalers and a supermarket, which is why I think it didn't succeed, it was just a couple of supermarkets with no attraction to the general public, and the area wasn't updated and looked abandoned.. the massive carparks infront and behind probably didn't help the area to bring itself up..

..I would hardly call what we had a chinatown, not even a 'china village' as it was called. It was as you said a wholesalers and a supermarket, which is why I think it didn't succeed..

I'm not sure that it could be described as not succeeding, as it was popular with it's captive clientele. What it failed to do was grow, but that could be down more to other limitations.

I would love to see a proper dedicated Chinatown area, even a small one, made to look the part. It would be up to the council to drive something forward, particularly making use of the Chinese gate they have in storage, but I think the usual criticism of the councils lack of vision for big but non commercial projects strikes again.

Why not have an "Asiatown"/"Little Asia" instead? That could include Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Thai, Vietnamese - you name it. It would give the council the excuse to finally erect the Chinese gate - maybe they could even get hold of an Indian gate for the opposite end?

Why not have an "Asiatown"/"Little Asia" instead? That could include Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Thai, Vietnamese - you name it. It would give the council the excuse to finally erect the Chinese gate - maybe they could even get hold of an Indian gate for the opposite end?

Good idea,call it the Oriental quarter,though im pretty sure we are well past four different quarters in Leeds now!!

Good idea,call it the Oriental quarter,though im pretty sure we are well past four different quarters in Leeds now!!

Thankfully the term quarter is used in this sense:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_(country_subdivision)

So it generally means district more than it does '1/4 of the city', although the term was coined from the Old City of Jerusalem and its 4 quarters.

This history/geography lesson brought to you by BEER :cheers:

Isnt Bradford Leeds' little india ? :)
:lol:
Also a "chinese restaurant down greek street" Hmm! What about a Greek Restaurant?

^^ Because people from the places close to Leeds.. Bradford, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Harrogate, Castleford, Barnsley, and maybe even Derby, are all places that don't have such an attraction

You clearly have little awareness of Sheffield then, because there is an area of the city centre fringe, dominated by a chinese population, with shops, markets and restaurants to match that has developed over time rather than being a fake 'chinatown'. It doesnt need a name or a brand, or tourist invasion, because it serves its purpose to the local people, just as it should.

^^ I never tried to insinuate that I have a great deal of awareness of Sheffield, but I did live there for three years and I never came across such an area. Where in the city center is it? Its good for the city that it has become a natural chinese area, but i'm trying to put across the fact that a generic chinatown would be a good attraction to Leeds as it will always attract the visitors from the close by towns & cities that regularly come to Leeds.

I would hardly call what we had a chinatown, not even a 'china village' as it was called. It was as you said a wholesalers and a supermarket, which is why I think it didn't succeed, it was just a couple of supermarkets with no attraction to the general public, and the area wasn't updated and looked abandoned.. the massive carparks infront and behind probably didn't help the area to bring itself up..

It's a bit more than that - there are at least 3 supermarkets/wholesalers, plus another 1 out in Sheepscar. There is also the 'Chinatown Arcade', where there are a few Chinese/Thai restaurants, the Tong Palace on Vicar Lane, D-Fusion (a chinese-run restaurant/karaeoke bar) on New Briggate, a Chinese church on Bridge Street, the old school building on Gower Street with 2 chinese restaurants (1 also being a chinese cooking academy) and the Chinese community Centre on North Street. If you hang around the area it becomes apparent pretty quickly that there are actually a lot of Chinese people around. It's quite a diffuse area, but if Eastgate hadn't been proposed then the area would have had considerable potential to become an organic Chinatown (subject to building low rent premises on the car parks).

All this talk of 'creating' some sort of artificial Chinatown is ridiculous, as true Chinatowns develop naturally in peripheral areas of cheap premises - you couldn't just have some major developer engineer a Chinatown, as the rents would be too high. If one was to form in future it would be most likely to be around Sheepscar/Regent Street.

Even sillier would be trying to engineer some sort of 'Little India'. This is what Harehills is, and it's far more authentic than any fake thing you could build near the City Centre (in addition to the fact there is more of a Pakistani character to Leeds' S. Asian community than an Indian one).

Rant over!

It's a bit more than that - there are at least 3 supermarkets/wholesalers, plus another 1 out in Sheepscar. There is also the 'Chinatown Arcade', where there are a few Chinese/Thai restaurants, the Tong Palace on Vicar Lane, D-Fusion (a chinese-run restaurant/karaeoke bar) on New Briggate, a Chinese church on Bridge Street, the old school building on Gower Street with 2 chinese restaurants (1 also being a chinese cooking academy) and the Chinese community Centre on North Street. If you hang around the area it becomes apparent pretty quickly that there are actually a lot of Chinese people around. It's quite a diffuse area, but if Eastgate hadn't been proposed then the area would have had considerable potential to become an organic Chinatown (subject to building low rent premises on the car parks).

All this talk of 'creating' some sort of artificial Chinatown is ridiculous, as true Chinatowns develop naturally in peripheral areas of cheap premises - you couldn't just have some major developer engineer a Chinatown, as the rents would be too high. If one was to form in future it would be most likely to be around Sheepscar/Regent Street.

Even sillier would be trying to engineer some sort of 'Little India'. This is what Harehills is, and it's far more authentic than any fake thing you could build near the City Centre (in addition to the fact there is more of a Pakistani character to Leeds' S. Asian community than an Indian one).

Rant over!

I agree. Unless it develops in a natural way, then it's just a gimmick. Thats why I don't really see the attraction. Personally i'm not fussed if Leeds has one or not, but an artificial one isn't the was to go.

I suspect that Eastgate didn't mature into a strong Chinatown simply because of the area. The businesses are seperated by rather hostile streets and notably the huge car parks, and the buildings themselves are a bit run down. A better connected environment would encourage it I think.

It's a bit more than that - there are at least 3 supermarkets/wholesalers, plus another 1 out in Sheepscar. There is also the 'Chinatown Arcade', where there are a few Chinese/Thai restaurants, the Tong Palace on Vicar Lane, D-Fusion (a chinese-run restaurant/karaeoke bar) on New Briggate, a Chinese church on Bridge Street, the old school building on Gower Street with 2 chinese restaurants (1 also being a chinese cooking academy) and the Chinese community Centre on North Street. If you hang around the area it becomes apparent pretty quickly that there are actually a lot of Chinese people around. It's quite a diffuse area, but if Eastgate hadn't been proposed then the area would have had considerable potential to become an organic Chinatown (subject to building low rent premises on the car parks).

All this talk of 'creating' some sort of artificial Chinatown is ridiculous, as true Chinatowns develop naturally in peripheral areas of cheap premises - you couldn't just have some major developer engineer a Chinatown, as the rents would be too high. If one was to form in future it would be most likely to be around Sheepscar/Regent Street.

Even sillier would be trying to engineer some sort of 'Little India'. This is what Harehills is, and it's far more authentic than any fake thing you could build near the City Centre (in addition to the fact there is more of a Pakistani character to Leeds' S. Asian community than an Indian one).

Rant over!

Well just a couple of points id like to make.
Since as far as i can remember (since the 1970s) the chinese restaurants and warehouses have been in the area around Vicar Lane and Templar Street.
If this area was to have grown as a a Chinatown it would have done so by now im sure,so the Eastgate development has hardly prohibeted such a neighbourhood.

The points i was trying to make about a little India was not original of my own,it was suggested some time ago as an option to rejuvenate the Kirkgate area from the Scotsman down to the Duck and across to and behind Pine Court.

Quite frankly engineering such a quarter would be ridiculous as an organic,living quarter,but if one was to be devloped as a "Tourist Attraction" in the centre then my point was that a little India,as was suggested before,would be more appropriate to Leeds,and indeed more unique.

I think you will find that the cultural make up of air rills (Harehills) is much more diverse than just those from the Indian subcontinent,and to call it a little India is well off the mark,especailly when you comare it to Bradford which certainly does boast a very large percentage of immigrants from that part of the world.
Also air rills is hardly the most attractive place to visit,authentic or not.

Thanks for the info, it sounds great

http://1person1million.com/img/158/r08c1006bidc/biggrin.gif

I think you will find that the cultural make up of air rills (Harehills) is much more diverse than just those from the Indian subcontinent,and to call it a little India is well off the mark,especailly when you comare it to Bradford which certainly does boast a very large percentage of immigrants from that part of the world.
Also air rills is hardly the most attractive place to visit,authentic or not.

And you'll find that the Asian ethnic mix of air rills is predominantly Pakistani and Bangladeshi. The Gitpon & Harehills ward has nearly eight times as many Pakistanis/Bengalis as it has Indians. They may be insulted by the concept of Little India, given the fractious history of the subcontinent. The Indian population tends to be concentrated in more affluent areas, particularly Moortown.

The concept of a China Town or Little India sounds, in theory, very inviting, but organic development would be vital. You couldn't just create it from scratch. If anyone's been to Rusholme (Manchester's Curry Mile), that's something to aspire to, albeit without such a crazy road up the middle. In fact, Manchester also has an excellent China Town, but these areas have both grown organically.

I don't think the Curry Mile is something to aspire to. It's a mile of tack, greasy takeaways and neon signs. The curries available in Bradford are of a much higher standard than those on the Curry Mile.

agreed, the Curry Mile looks really tacky - all those giant Urdu pink neon signs!

Hammerson retail projects delayed-newspaper
Sun Nov 2, 2008 9:54pm IST

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Property group Hammerson (HMSO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) has put two of its biggest retail projects on hold as the recession deepens, Britains Mail on Sunday newspaper reported.
Hammerson's 800 million pounds Eastgate Quarter development in Leeds, northern England was due to open in 2012, but the development has been delayed for an unspecified period, said the report, citing sources.
Hammerson is also unlikely to proceed with its 600 million pounds Sevenstone shopping development in Sheffield, northern England before next summer, said the report.

A spokesman for Hammerson was not available for immediate comment.
(Reporting by Rhys Jones; Editing by Jason Neely)

http://in.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idINL206154320081102


I think this is the original source:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=456412&in_page_id=2&in_page_id=2

^^ :( I think someone reported the sheffield one being on hold a while back, properly gutted that this is on hold, thought with Trinity still being developed it would have helped to spur on EQ

Trust the Mail to report the doom and gloom first! Big shame about this, let's hope it's a shallow recession and it all gets back on track soon.

Nothing really new in either report, I'd say this looks more 2010 than 2009 now but thats to be expected given progress is pretty slow anyway. Hammerson are still committed to developing EQ when they can.

Why do they feel the need to point out that Leeds and Sheffield are 'northern'..

To a Londoner, Leeds is just "not London". An easily digestible location like "England" makes sense to them, but most of them will stop reading after the word Northern anyway.

Why do they feel the need to point out that Leeds and Sheffield are 'northern'..

Reuters is an international news agency. It just helps to be a bit more specific.

I'd like to see something more concrete than a rumour in the Mail on Sunday before I believe this. I'm still waiting for the EU to ban curved bananas and cheese & onion crisps, which the Mail promised us would happen about twenty years ago.

From the YEP, a rather more measured report than the one in the Mail on Sunday:


Leeds's Eastgate: Developers deny £800m project is on hold

Date: 05 November 2008

By Paul Robinson

The developers behind an £800m retail and residential scheme proposed for Leeds city centre today played down speculation that it could fall victim to the credit crunch. Recent reports in the national and property trade press have claimed that the Eastgate Quarters project has been delayed amid concerns about the faltering UK economy.

Today, however, joint developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities insisted that the 25-acre mix of shops and 600 homes was still due to open as planned in 2012. Asked if the flagship scheme had been put on hold, Hammerson spokesman Andrew Hilston said he did not anticipate work starting before summer next year.

Mr Hilston also acknowledged that the current economic climate was "challenging" – and revealed an unnamed third party was trying to overturn a Government-approved compulsory purchase order (CPO) relating to some of the land needed for the project. But he went on: "We remain committed to the delivery of the Eastgate Quarters scheme .... and currently (it] is due to be delivered as planned in 2012, subject to a swift resolution of outstanding matters on the CPO."

The site earmarked for the development straddles Eastgate and is bounded by Vicar Lane, New York Street, St Peter's Street, George Street and Harewood Street. Its 100-strong array of shops would include major branches of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

Today both companies said they remained committed to the project. Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council's opposition Labour group, welcomed the developers' assurances. He also said, however: "Should the plans change at any stage, then I trust the public will be informed immediately. This project is of massive importance to our city."

Major developments in Leeds which have been hit by the UK's economic slump include the Wellington Street-based Lumiere skyscrapers and Sovereign Street's 'Kissing Towers'.

Don't believe what you read in the Mail on Sunday. :)

The developers state that the project is still set to open in 2012, subject to the resolution of a CPO issue regarding some of the land. They do acknowledge though that the current climate is challenging. I'll leave the dancing bananas to others!

From todays YEP:

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds39s-Eastgate-Developers-deny-800m.4659690.jp

Leeds's Eastgate: Developers deny £800m project is on hold


The developers behind an £800m retail and residential scheme proposed for Leeds city centre today played down speculation that it could fall victim to the credit crunch.
Date: 05 November 2008
By Paul Robinson
The developers behind an £800m retail and residential scheme proposed for Leeds city centre today played down speculation that it could fall victim to the credit crunch.

Recent reports in the national and property trade press have claimed that the Eastgate Quarters project has been delayed amid concerns about the faltering UK economy.

Today, however, joint developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities insisted that the 25-acre mix of shops and 600 homes was still due to open as planned in 2012.

Asked if the flagship scheme had been put on hold, Hammerson spokesman Andrew Hilston said he did not anticipate work starting before summer next year.

Mr Hilston also acknowledged that the current economic climate was "challenging" – and revealed an unnamed third party was trying to overturn a Government-approved compulsory purchase order (CPO) relating to some of the land needed for the project.

But he went on: "We remain committed to the delivery of the Eastgate Quarters scheme .... and currently (it] is due to be delivered as planned in 2012, subject to a swift resolution of outstanding matters on the CPO."

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

Its 100-strong array of shops would include major branches of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

Today both companies said they remained committed to the project.

Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council's opposition Labour group, welcomed the developers' assurances.

He also said, however: "Should the plans change at any stage, then I trust the public will be informed immediately. This project is of massive importance to our city."

Major developments in Leeds which have been hit by the UK's economic slump include the Wellington Street-based Lumiere skyscrapers and Sovereign Street's 'Kissing Towers'.

Sorry - aviator just beat me to it!

Thats good news,really good news.
I think this development is the one that will propel Leeds up the league.
Im sure its proximity to Victoria quarter will attract the big international names that have failed to materialise at CD (Armani etc)

Its been such a dump since my earliest childhood memories,its an embarrasment.

Sorry - aviator just beat me to it!

I was going to post that article this morning also! :) Just shows you that people should never trust 2nd hand articles that were then found to have originally been in the Mail on Sunday. :nuts:

I would have thought that now is exactly the time to be embarking on a major project like this. After all, 2012 is four years away and unless one seriously expects the downturn to last into the next decade then why not go for it ? More likely to get money back quickly than with some of the recently completed projects in other cities which will experience lower footfall than originally anticipated.

This from The Business Desk today:


Hammerson signals delay to key retail schemes

10th November 2008

By David Parkin - Editor


PROPERTY group Hammerson today signalled a delay to the development of two major retail schemes in Yorkshire. The company said that it does not plan to start work on any major new developments before the end of 2009 which will hit the Eastgate Quarter scheme in Leeds and the Sevenstone retail scheme in Sheffield, where Hammerson is involved in joint ventures.

Hammerson chairman John Nelson, said: "It is anticipated that no major new developments will start before the end of 2009. However, we continue to progress planning and design stages of several schemes and seek pre-lets, whilst limiting further capital expenditure.

"The unprecedented conditions in financial markets worldwide have had a major impact on real estate markets leading to caution on the part of occupiers and a sharp decline in investment activity.

"These challenging conditions are likely to persist for some time," he added.

Hammerson is developing the Eastgate Quarter off the Headrow in Leeds with Town Centre Securities and has already agreed leases with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer for anchor stores of 26,000 sq m and 18,250 sq m respectively.

Work had been due to start next year while development of the £600m Sevenstone retail and leisure scheme in Sheffield was due to begin this year with the first phase completed by 2011.

Mr Nelson added: "I believe that Hammerson's strengths and its experienced management team mean that the group is in a good position to weather the current environment and benefit when conditions in real estate markets improve.

"Hammerson has a portfolio of the highest quality which generates a robust income stream. This will increase as rents flow from recently completed developments. In addition, Hammerson's balance sheet and financing structure remain sound."

Yeah, seen that myself. I think a delay was looking possible anyway, but at least it's not on hold! :)

Does this mean that the Eastgate Quarters will now open around 2014 unless there are any further delays? Still at least it should allow some breathing space between the opening of Trinity Quarter and the Eastgate Quarters of around 4 years so that not too many shops are opening at too close to the same time although it is certainly a crucial development for the city centre.

With a small image of a model of the development:

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-shopping-complex-could-be.4678501.jp

Leeds shopping complex could be delayed

10 November 2008
Paul Robinson

THE PROPERTY firms behind Leeds city centre's £800m Eastgate Quarters scheme were facing searching questions today after it emerged the project could be delayed.
Joint developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities last week told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the proposed 25-acre mix of shops and 600 homes would be delivered as planned in 2012.

Their upbeat comments came in response to reports in the national and property trade press which said the flagship scheme could fall victim to the credit crunch.

Yesterday, however, London-based Hammerson announced that the main construction phase of the project was now unlikely to start as planned in 2009.

Hammerson chairman John Nelson said the firm was putting the brakes on major new developments because of the "unprecedented conditions in financial markets worldwide".

The company did stress, though, that it remained committed to the Eastgate scheme, which would create up to 5,000 jobs.

It also said it would be continuing with the preparatory work that was already under way on site.

Today Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of the city council's opposition Labour group, called news of the likely delay "very disappointing".

He also called on the developers to explain why they had not come clean about the potential hold-up when approached by the YEP last week.

"The people of Leeds deserve to be kept fully in the picture at all times - especially about a major project such as this one," said Coun Wakefield.

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

Its 100-strong array of shops is due to include branches of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

High-profile developments in Leeds which have been hit by the UK's economic slump in recent times include the Wellington Street-based Lumiere skyscrapers and Sovereign Street's 'Kissing Towers'.

^^ bum....but not unexpected. If anything, goes to show the importance of the on-site Trinity Quarter. Everyone seems to be reigning in their development appetite, but whilst a 6-12 month delay is disappointing, its not the end of the world.

Your Councillor on the radio said Cumpulsory Purchase Orders are to be extended until 2010 ..... there is no way this will be built by 2012, it probably won't even begin until 2011 & take 3 years to build ..... if it ever gets built now!

What's a cumpulsory purchase order? Sounds dirty.

Yes, April 2010 according to the vicar lane shop owner. Looks like mid-late 2010 start then, which though it tallies with what I expected last week, is still bitterly disappointing.

I'm not sure who is pulling the wool over whose eyes here but for Hammerson to say last week 2012 completion yet be aware that it cant possibly be complete by then is rather annoying. A bit of honesty would be welcome here I think.

Yes, April 2010 according to the vicar lane shop owner. Looks like mid-late 2010 start then, which though it tallies with what I expected last week, is still bitterly disappointing.

I'm not sure who is pulling the wool over whose eyes here but for Hammerson to say last week 2012 completion yet be aware that it cant possibly be complete by then is rather annoying. A bit of honesty would be welcome here I think.

Didn't the Yorkshire Evening Post report earlier this week that Hammerson was putting everything on hold that hadn't already been started?

Didn't the Yorkshire Evening Post report earlier this week that Hammerson was putting everything on hold that hadn't already been started?

No, not quite, here is the order in which things have been said and by whom.

2nd Nov: Mail on Sunday claims that they have been told Hammerson has put 7stone and EQ on hold.

I refuted this story straight away as I had been told Hammerson were still committed to EQ as soon as they could get it moving.

5th Nov: YEP quotes Hammerson as saying that it is NOT on hold but is delayed. However, 2012 is given as the finish date by the Hammerson source.

10th Nov: Hammerson interim results accompanied by note indicating EQ is not due to start until the end 2009.

Today: A shop owner affected by the as yet unconfirmed compulsory purchase order which is being held up by some sort of legal challenge, indicates that rather than Dec this year they now have until April 2010 before they must move out.

No one has said it is on hold per se, however, the timeline seems to be slipping away all the time.

This piece from the YEP may seem to be of little more than academic interest at the moment but it is, I suppose, a small sign of progress:



Eastgate: Leeds Council wins first legal challenge

Published Date: 19 November 2008

By Paul Robinson


Council bosses have won the first stage of a legal fight that could have a major bearing on the future of Leeds city centre's Eastgate Quarters development. Leeds City Council was given the green light by the Government in summer this year to compulsorily purchase about 30 per cent of the land needed for the 25-acre retail and residential scheme.

However, one landowner who would be affected by the buy-up subsequently launched a challenge to the decision to grant the compulsory purchase order.

Now it has emerged an initial hearing relating to the challenge took place at London's Royal Courts of Justice last Friday. At the hearing, the council succeeded with a request for the case to be resolved as quickly as possible.

As a result, it is thought a full hearing could happen as early as February next year. If the council's application had been turned down, the case might not have been dealt with for another 18 months.

The start of construction work on the £800m scheme already looks set to be delayed until at least the end of next year because of the UK's financial downturn.

It is not yet clear how the project would move forward if the legal challenge is successful. No details were available today on the identity of the landowner involved, although the case is known to relate to two separate plots.

A spokesman for the council confirmed that its request for fast-tracking had been successful. He went on: "We will comment further on the decision once we receive the official order from the judge, which we expect within the next seven days."

The site earmarked for the Eastgate scheme is bounded by Vicar Lane, New York Street, St Peter's Street, George Street and Harewood Street.

It would boast 600 homes and a 100-strong array of shops, including branches of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

About 70 per cent of the required land is already under the control of the project's private developers, Hammerson and Town Centre Securities.

Has the information board (in the closed shop window, next to Greggs on Eastgate) been there for long? If so I apologise, If not then It looks like the project is sill moving.

Been there a while now I think. My uncle (bus driver) used to go in that cafe often, it's been shut for a good few months.

Hello there. I've just registered and this is my first post. I thought it was about time I joined because I'm on here reading the posts all the time, to keep up with what's going on while I'm in Scotland (I'm from Leeds but at uni in Edinburgh).

Anyway, This has probably been posted before, but I just came across it and thought, my god westgate-headrow-eastgate looks good here: a long, tree-lined avenue running the length of the city centre. Reminiscent of Barcelona's Las Ramblas!

http://www.pipers.co.uk/model/32/Leeds%20Eastgate

Hello there. I've just registered and this is my first post. I thought it was about time I joined because I'm on here reading the posts all the time, to keep up with what's going on while I'm in Scotland (I'm from Leeds but at uni in Edinburgh).

Anyway, This has probably been posted before, but I just came across it and thought, my god westgate-headrow-eastgate looks good here: a long, tree-lined avenue running the length of the city centre. Reminiscent of Barcelona's Las Ramblas!

http://www.pipers.co.uk/model/32/Leeds%20Eastgate

Welcome to your active life in the world of geekdom. :)
glad to have you on board!
x

Hello there. I've just registered and this is my first post. I thought it was about time I joined because I'm on here reading the posts all the time, to keep up with what's going on while I'm in Scotland (I'm from Leeds but at uni in Edinburgh).

Anyway, This has probably been posted before, but I just came across it and thought, my god westgate-headrow-eastgate looks good here: a long, tree-lined avenue running the length of the city centre. Reminiscent of Barcelona's Las Ramblas!

http://www.pipers.co.uk/model/32/Leeds%20Eastgate

Welcome.

We originally saw that masterplan on the first website for Eastgate which described The Headrow axis as 'The Magnificent Mile'. A vision to turn it into Leeds' flagship boulevard where you would be able to shop, go to the theatre, see concerts, go to the cinema, eat out... It also showed major works of public art at important nodes of The Headrow. John Thorp (Civic Architect) also shares the vision if you look at his visionary maps for Leeds.

I think The Headrow will get to that stage eventually; let's hope Eastgate goes ahead so that we can see the first stage here. Or we might see the first phase of it completed on Quarry Hill. No doubt that The Headrow is gradually improving through private investment at The Core, Basillica, Broadgate, Primark and The Light though.

John Lewis scales back expansion

John Lewis has had to put some of its expansion ambitions on hold after property developers shelved plans for new schemes.

According to the Financial Times, John Lewis had eight new stores in the pipeline, but some of them have been hit by developers delaying schemes.

John Lewis said that it did not know when developments in Oxford, Leeds, Sheffield, Preston, Dublin, Sprucefield, Northern Ireland, Crawley and Portsmouth would go ahead.

John Lewis has stores in Stratford in London and Cardiff due to complete this year.

http://www.drapersonline.com/news/2009/02/john_lewis_scales_back_expansion.html


John Lewis expansion hit by development delays

John Lewis expansion hit by delays to new shopping centres

John Lewis is being forced to scale back its expansion as many plans for new shopping centres are shelved by developers.

The department store chain had planned to open eight stores over the next few years but according to The Financial Times some of these will now be postponed.

John Lewis said that dates for developments in Oxford, Leeds, Preston, Sheffield, Dublin, Sprucefield, Northern Ireland, Crawley and Portsmouth were unclear.

It said that it may build smaller shops, which would be around 100,000 sq ft – about a third smaller than its typical stores.

Hammerson and Westfield are just two developers that have delayed developments as the credit crunch tightens its grip on funding.

Westfield said yesterday that the time frames for planned shopping centres in Bradford and Guilford could be extended.

Hammerson is also expected to postpone its Eastgate Quarter project in Leeds and its £600m Sevenstone development in Sheffield.

http://www.retail-week.com/Property/2009/02/john_lewis_expansion_hit_by_development_delays.html

A bit of an update of flange's post above - this one's from the YEP:


Store group John Lewis cannot say when planned new Leeds store will open

Published Date: 03 February 2009

By Nigel Scott


RETAILER John Lewis has said it remains committed to opening a department store in Leeds - but it doesn't yet know when that might be.

The company, along with Marks and Spencer, will be an anchor tenant within the massive £800m Eastgate Quarters development.

But reports continue to suggest that the scheme may well be delayed due to the current economic downturn.

Late last year, London-based Hammerson announced that the main construction phase of the project was now unlikely to start as planned in 2009.

Its chairman, John Nelson, said the firm was putting the brakes on major new developments because of the "unprecedented conditions in financial markets worldwide".

The company did stress, though, that it remained committed to the Eastgate scheme, which will create up to 5,000 jobs, and added that it would continue with preparatory work already under way on site.

A spokeswoman for the developer told the YEP today that it could not comment further on its plans ahead of the company's next financial report to the Stock Exchange, on February 23, as such information was market sensitive.

A John Lewis spokeswoman said: "There is not really any change in our position. We remain committed to Leeds and to having a retail presence in the city.

"We are in the hands of the developers and, at the moment, we can't confirm when the Leeds store will open.

"We are continuing to work with the local authority and the developers to bring this scheme to fruition."

John Lewis, which is normally offered rent-free incentives for new store locations from developers, is now considering building smaller shops in a bid to keep its development programme viable.

The chain currently trades from 27 stores and an online division.

A bit of an update of flange's post above - this one's from the YEP:


Another 10 years?

Not good news however Leeds should certainly be the priority in the list. It is by far the largest metropolitan area not served by John Lewis; the biggest and most evident gap in their coverage. With John Lewis aiming at the middle class, Leeds should also be a preferred location above locations like Preston, Portsmouth or Northern Ireland. Remember that John Lewis have been trying to get a store in Leeds for over a decade. I think we can be more optimistic for a Leeds store than other proposed John Lewis stores.

Not good news however Leeds should certainly be the priority in the list. It is by far the largest metropolitan area not served by John Lewis; the biggest and most evident gap in their coverage. With John Lewis aiming at the middle class, Leeds should also be a preferred location above locations like Preston, Portsmouth or Northern Ireland. Remember that John Lewis have been trying to get a store in Leeds for over a decade. I think we can be more optimistic for a Leeds store than other proposed John Lewis stores.

'It's the economy - stupid!' (and don't, like a certain other poster, take that personally.)

How has Sheffield had a John Lewis for so long, yet Leeds hasn't?

Another 10 years?

:ohno: Very bad news regarding the Eastgate Quarters and the prospect of John Lewis opening in Leeds city centre. I agree I can certainly see it being a very long time until the Eastgate Quarters and John Lewis open in Leeds.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/31%20October%202008/31October2008037.jpg

As a thought in retrospect (and obviously something which can't happen now) it is a shame that John Lewis didn't take on the old Lewis's / Allders department store on The Headrow (perhaps to include a Waitrose in the basement) when it closed down back in 2005 even as a temporary measure prior to the completion of the Eastgate Quarters as that would surely have helped encourage a lot of footfall into the city centre through people attracted to the only John Lewis in a sizable area, that such a change could happen instantaneously (from Allders to John Lewis) whilst keeping the store open, as well as perhaps increasing the possibility of the now lost art deco interior features being saved.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/13/13876273_562559116c.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/13/13876272_d179a2d785.jpg?v=0

How has Sheffield had a John Lewis for so long, yet Leeds hasn't?

According to Wikipedia they bought Sheffield department store Cole Brothers in 1940 (which had it's name changed only relatively recently to John Lewis).

There was a John Lewis store in Harrogate trading under the name Buckleys which was sold off in 1953. Where abouts in Harrogate was that store? Is it where Hoopers is now or perhaps Debenhams?

There was a plan in the 1990s to develop a John Lewis department store with Waitrose supermarket on the grounds of Bodington Hall (presumably something similar to the Owlcotes development in Pudsey where the ASDA and M&S is located) which encountered opposition due to the loss of green spaces, risk to existing shopping locations and increased traffic congestion. Were there any renders of this scheme (which imo would have been bad for shopping in the city centre had it been developed)? http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960214/debtext/60214-12.htm

Were there any other previous plans for a John Lewis in Leeds (perhaps a failed attempt to buy Schofields or another department store) or some development which never took place in years gone by? Other than that I wonder too why John Lewis never opened in Leeds.

John Lewis was where Debenhams is. It was also a Marshall & Snellgrove before it became Debenhams.

The economy doesn't stop everything. With the huge population, many of whom are wealthy, JL would serve in Leeds, it would outweigh the negatives of the economy.

John Lewis was where Debenhams is. It was also a Marshall & Snellgrove before it became Debenhams.

The economy doesn't stop everything. With the huge population, many of whom are wealthy, JL would serve in Leeds, it would outweigh the negatives of the economy.

That would be up to John Lewis to decide - not you or I. A store may eventually come to Leeds - but i did forecast 10 years and I can't see it happening much before.

John Lewis was where Debenhams is. It was also a Marshall & Snellgrove before it became Debenhams.


Marshall and Snelgrove was where Lloyds Bank is on Park Row. Debenhams was a Mathias Robinson store.

In Harrogate.

The news below from today's YEP will come as no surprise to anybody.


£800m Eastgate Quarter work postponed

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED//TH1_92200925model%20of%20the%20whole%20quarter2.jpg
An artist's impression of the new Eastgate Quarter, Leeds

Published Date: 09 February 2009


The lead partner in the massive £800 Leeds Eastgate Quarter development officially confirmed today that it has postponed the start of construction work. Property giant Hammerson said that in the current economic climate, it does not intend to start construction of any major development projects.

It said it was continuing to progress the planning and design stages of the Leeds development, and other schemes, so that they could be advanced in the future. Construction work on the massive 25-acre site was due to begin this year. Now it joins other flagship city centre construction projects, including the giant Lumiere Towers on Wellington Street, as officially "on hold".

Today's news came as London-based Hammerson announced it was planning to raise almost £600m from investors in an attempt to reduce its debt burden. The firm made a pre-tax loss of £1.61bn for 2008 - compared to a £110.4m profit in the previous year - due to "substantial" falls in its property portfolio.

The rights issue would raise £584.2m to help reduce debts of more than £3bn. Hammerson said the move was part of a wider policy to reduce costs, including selling assets. But the company warned it may breach covenants in the future if it was unable to offload some of its assets and the value of its property continues to decline.

The company said it had made early progress on its Leeds scheme - which is expected to create up to 5,000 jobs - having signed lease agreements with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer for anchor stores of 26,000 sq m and 18,250 sq m respectively. In addition, a Compulsory Purchase Order inquiry had been confirmed by the Secretary of State in July and the initial phase of enabling works on the site was now complete.

John Lewis said last week that it remained committed to opening a department store in Leeds – but admitted it didn't know when that might be. A company spokeswoman said:"We can't confirm when the Leeds store will open. We are continuing to work with the council and the developers to bring this scheme to fruition."

Seems a wise decision and at least it's a postponement and not a cancellation. Sad news all the same, but we have to be sensible about this. With the delay could come positive changes to it's design when it eventually comes. I would be slightly more positive than Fred and go with a 3-5 year delay.

Seems a wise decision and at least it's a postponement and not a cancellation. Sad news all the same, but we have to be sensible about this. With the delay could come positive changes to it's design when it eventually comes. I would be slightly more positive than Fred and go with a 3-5 year delay.

Unfortunately for the prospects of the Eastgate scheme I have noticed this article from the Sevenstone thread in the Sheffield Forum that Hammerson the main developer of Eastgate would have to raise cash to avoid breaching banking covenants. http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storycode=3133494&origin=PWbreakingnews

Hammerson launches £584m rights issue
09:56 | 09.02.09
By Nick Duxbury

Hammerson is raising £584.2m of new equity from its shareholders to reduce its debt and avoid breaching its covenants.

The REIT this morning launched a rights issue of 404.7m new shares based at a price of £1.50 a share, which is a 62% discount to the pre-announcement price on Friday of £3.97p a share.

Hammerson chairman John Nelson said the new equity would be used to pay down debt, with renegotiation of bank facilities difficult to achieve in the light of current market conditions.

The new equity should see gearing reduced to 81%.

The news of the rights issue coincided with the end of year results which showed a 33% fall in NAV in 2008 to £10.36 a share.

This translated to a loss of £1.6bn for the calendar year 2008. The rights issue is underwritten by Citi and Deutsche Bank.

If Hammerson breach their banking covenant does that mean they will go under? Surely that would effectively end the prospects of Eastgate being developed unless someone else buys it (although with the economy the way it is, it could be difficult). Surely the previous experience of banks having to raise money from shareholders, yet having to be nationalised only a few months later could be cause for concern for the experience of large scale developers such as Hammersons?

Also how are the minor developer of Eastgate Town Centre Securities performing considering their sister company Stylo's shoe retail brands of Barratts and Priceless Shoes have gone under recently?

unsurprising, thank god for the Trinity Quarter.

[QUOTE=jimbo;32045516]unsurprising, thank god for the Trinity Quarter.[/QUOTE

Yes indeed. The whole Eastgate scheme has been ditched, at least until this economic depression is over (I read today that the latter has been described as the worst in the last 100 years!).

My forecast of 10 years for a John Lewis in Leeds (see #1336 and#1342) seems now to be rather too optimistic. :ohno:

[QUOTE=jimbo;32045516]unsurprising, thank god for the Trinity Quarter.[/QUOTE

Yes indeed. The whole Eastgate scheme has been ditched, at least until this economic depression is over (I read today that the latter has been described as the worst in the last 100 years!).

My forecast of 10 years for a John Lewis in Leeds (see #1336 and#1342) seems now to be rather too optimistic. :ohno:


Don't be silly - private finance isn't going to shut up shop for THAT long - banks make money by lending, after all. The media act like the economy has simply ground to a halt, which is quite frankly bollocks. Yes, things are tough, but that doesn't mean there are still plenty of businesses out there doing well.

The media is undoubtedly to blame for exacerbating the economic downturn by making people panic.

'It's the economy - stupid!' (and don't, like a certain other poster, take that personally.)

Isn't it about time you dropped that pointless expression. Or is that your stock answer to everything.

How has Sheffield had a John Lewis for so long, yet Leeds hasn't?

Because Sheffield city centre has not always been the shopping back water that it appears to be today. It had a long history of excellent shopping particularly in the department store sector, where I believe it had the most department stores of any city outside London.

If Hammerson breach their banking covenant does that mean they will go under? Surely that would effectively end the prospects of Eastgate being developed unless someone else buys it (although with the economy the way it is, it could be difficult). Surely the previous experience of banks having to raise money from shareholders, yet having to be nationalised only a few months later could be cause for concern for the experience of large scale developers such as Hammersons?

I read into the report that Hammerson are in serious trouble, in major debt which isn't good at the moment, and presumably if they did go over the banking covenant would indeed result in them going into administration or at least having to sell off some of their major assets (at knock down prices at the moment). They would presumably be the biggest property company to fall if that happened. However they're not there yet and hopefully the new share issue will pay off enough debt and bring them back onto a more stable footing.

Isn't it about time you dropped that pointless expression. Or is that your stock answer to everything.

What's your problem STOPGO? I never even mentioned that phrase in my last (#1349)! :cheers:

I'm keeping count.

I'm keeping count.

Take up knitting!

I'm keeping count.

Speaking as someone who hasn't contributed much, but I have kept an eye on the forum for the last couple of years, I have to say STOPGO you come across as quite a scary obsessive man.

I hope the delay to Eastgate is kept to a minimum as I think Leeds needs this area to be developed as soon as possible, because it really looks a bit of a mess. Anyone coming onto Vicar Lane fom the inner ring road looks over this area and it really doesn't give a very good impression of Leeds.

If the developement fails then I hope the council quickly comes up with something else to replace it.

I'm keeping count.

NURSE! He's lost his pills again.

Shame this will never happen. The east end of town is an ugly scar on the face of Leeds.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/2006/week34/inter__5e727b5a-23a2-48e0-8762-b3093851a478_0d978173-d613-4f4e-865d-8dbf8af23a1b.pdf


http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/2006/week34/inter__5e727b5a-23a2-48e0-8762-b3093851a478_d8af5232-9717-4def-8ab8-f3cf28831cd0.pdf

Apart from the beauty of the Kremlin of course.

I can't seem to load up the links you've posted di Livio. Has Eastgate been cancelled, or just postponed?

I think the scheme needs breaking down into phases, to make it more financially viable.

Eastgate isn't cancelled, it's on hold.

I can't seem to load up the links you've posted di Livio. Has Eastgate been cancelled, or just postponed?



Nah he's just posting old things from 2006.

I can't seem to load up the links you've posted di Livio. Has Eastgate been cancelled, or just postponed?


Postponed. The documents included some black and white conceptual renderings of what the development might have looked like and some reasonably intresting plans and elevations.

http://www.lesliejones.co.uk/images/news/5-4.jpg

Found this image of the Sevenstone development in Sheffield, also being done by Hammerson and also on hold at the moment, looks pretty good maybe something similar is in store for Eastgate:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4786/sevenstone.tif

The YEP investigates:



The £800m... ghost town

Published Date: 22 June 2009

By Debbie Leigh

THE mothballed £800m Eastgate Quarters scheme was billed as the revamp that would breathe life into a neglected corner of the city.

Now the financial and human cost of the shelving of one of the biggest ever retail projects seen in the city has been revealed by a Yorkshire Evening Post investigation.

Businesses around the 25-acre site claim the planned development by The Leeds Partnership – a joint project between Hammerson and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities (TCS), backed by Leeds City Council – is leaving them facing financial ruin.

We can reveal the disarray caused the shelving of the huge scheme:

One trader claims he is owed hundreds of thousands of pounds after relocating;

One entrepreneur lost his business AND his home after nearby firms moved, leaving "a ghost town";

The owner of a cafe trading for more than 35 years says his business has been halved;

At least one landlord said Hammerson agreed a price, slashed it, then said "we won't pay until 2011";

Others claim they received a deposit but are still waiting for the rest;

Many are barred from complaining because of legal "gagging orders".


Shattered lives count cost of £800m dream

Published Date: 22 June 2009

By Debbie Leigh

The £800m Eastgate Quarters development partnership was meant to change the shopping face of a quiet part of Leeds. Danny Richardson, of Richardson & Co Solicitors, Leeds, acting for three affected businesses, accused real estate company Hammerson of causing a "living nightmare" by failing to pay money it had promised.

"Before allowing the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), the council should have ensured... the developer was able to compensate those individual business who were adversely affected."

The proposed site is bounded by Vicar Lane, New York Street, St Peter's Street, George Street and Harewood Street. Construction was due to begin this year and should have been finished by 2012. When complete it will include shops, apartments, parking, cinema and restaurants.

Despite more than 20 objections from local businesses, the council gained a CPO last summer for land for the project. But according to some, cash for their properties has not been forthcoming. Without the money, they cannot relocate. And because the plans are known but the future is uncertain, no new tenants are moving in.

Andrew Hilston, project director for Hammerson responsible for the lion's share of the development said: "We are sympathetic to the difficulties in trading conditions which have been worsened by the recession.

"These conditions, including the significant reduction in property values, which are affecting occupiers and owners within the proposed Eastgate Quarters site are also adversely affecting both ourselves as developers."

He added: "Offers made are in line with current market values. Hammerson has honoured its contractual obligations and all agreed payments have taken place or are in the process of being completed."

Hammerson is also working with the council to find temporary uses for vacant units, to encourage footfall. A council spokesman said: "Eastgate Quarters has been affected by the current economic conditions but we are working closely with Hammerson to ensure the project – which is still very much alive – remains on track for the benefit of the city and wider region."


CAFE owner Andrew Ignatiou is demanding compensation from Leeds City Council, claiming his business has been destroyed by the proposed scheme.

The owner of the Hellenic Coffee Lounge on Vicar Lane has watched the venture, set up by his father Costas around 35 years ago, hit major problems.

He said footfall had plummeted as surrounding businesses relocated to make way for the development – taking loyal customers with them. The 47-year-old, who has run the firm for around 26 years, said: "I've lost more than half the business."

He has now served a Blight Notice on the council, stating that "because of the CPO, the area, and consequently his business, had been blighted."
Mr Ignatiou said: "The council have taken all the money from my rates for all these years and we would have expected them to help us, not to be the ones that destroy us."

The dad-of-two is a business tenant with around nine years left on his lease, so he is stuck where he is. Despite the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) being given the go ahead, primary developer Hammerson has not yet agreed a payment for the property – so Andrew is unable to move out.

He said: "I'm not opposed to the idea of the development, you can't stand in the way of progress. But the way they have done the CPO, that's what's destroyed the businesses here."

A council spokesman said: "We are working with the tenants and The Leeds Partnership on any outstanding issues which are yet to be resolved.

"All parties must be treated fairly but CPO law is set by Government and we have to work within set national guidelines."

Andrew Hilston, from Hammerson, said: "We are working closely with Leeds City Council to investigate a number of temporary uses that could be used for the vacant units in the Eastgate area. This could involve exhibitions, temporary retail occupiers and events linked to city centre activities."

He said the aim was to encourage footfall for businesses and enhance the area.

PROPERTY developer Oakgate Group has accused Hammerson of failing to honour its agreement. Richard France, managing director of the Wetherby firm, said the developer had agreed a sum for Provident House, on Vicar Lane, then cut its offer by around 40 per cent and said it would not pay until 2011. Mr France said: "I've spoken to some who actually exchanged contracts and got deposits but they (Hammerson) are not completing."

He said: "The worst thing is it leaves everything in limbo, for landlords and tenants.

The building has lost around four tenants since the plans were announced and Mr France said it could not attract new ones because of the uncertainty. Mr Hilston, from Hammerson, said: "Offers made are in line with current market values."

MARK Donaldson cultivated a thriving business when he opened the Carib Bean Coffee Lounge on Vicar Lane. But when moves to prepare the site for the Eastgate development got under way many businesses moved out – taking most of his regulars with them.

In July last year he said: "They should have made sure that everyone moved out at the same time to maintain a level of business in the area."

He added: "They should have made sure measures were put in place to safeguard our businesses.

"The offices around us have already vacated their premises and we have no customers.

"I have seen a 60 per cent drop in sales since last October.

"It looks like I will go out of business before I am forced to move because I can't afford to stay here any more."

Sadly for Mark, his prediction was right and the dramatic reduction in footfall and nearby workforces meant the cafe could not keep trading. Unfortunately when it failed, he ended up losing his home as well.

Afterwards he told his solicitor Danny Richardson he was "at rock bottom" and he hoped the council or developer would be held to account. He said the unofficial China Town in Leeds could also be lost forever as most of the Chinese businesses had moved to make way for the scheme.

This is basically the YEP stirring things up.

They make it sound like Eastgate was a buzzing community before the council stepped in with their CPO. When everyone knows that it always was badly in need of development because the overwhelming majority of the site is unpaved surface car park.

This is basically the YEP stirring things up.

They make it sound like Eastgate was a buzzing community before the council stepped in with their CPO. When everyone knows that it always was badly in need of development because the overwhelming majority of the site is unpaved surface car park.

Does the YEP ever print anything positive?

:ohno: I don't think so.

I think we should trade papers. You can have the T&A as they're nice little council propagandists, and we'll have the YEP as they at least touch on something resembling critical journalism and would be more fitting for Bradford's situation anyway.


On this note, the council should get their hands off those 'Chinatown' former warehouses in Eastgate.

This is basically the YEP stirring things up.

They make it sound like Eastgate was a buzzing community before the council stepped in with their CPO. When everyone knows that it always was badly in need of development because the overwhelming majority of the site is unpaved surface car park.

Whooh there. I'm the first to have a go at the YEP but what's wrong with this article? Do you not think it is fair to highlight small businesses not being paid the money that they are owed?

Fair enough this is only one side of the story but it sounds like a pretty horrid situation to be put in, having a CPO on ones business premises and not receiving the money, not being able to relocate and effectively losing ones livelihood.

Yes it is fair to highlight that, but it's the way that they're putting it across as if Eastgate was a thriving community before- almost like it was like the CornX. When actually it's a tiny number of businesses that are unfortunately being inconvenienced for a development that is going to completely transform a run down area of Leeds for the benefit of the whole region.

Yes it is fair to highlight that, but it's the way that they're putting it across as if Eastgate was a thriving community before- almost like it was like the CornX. When actually it's a tiny number of businesses that are unfortunately being inconvenienced for a development that is going to completely transform a run down area of Leeds for the benefit of the whole region.

And involve wholesale demolition and replacement of a few classic buildings in the area. Taking a look around on google street view, there's more than a few that deserve to be retained, especially the red brick Chinatown former warehouse building, which seems the core of a potential extended Chinatown. Instead it seems to be the plan to just do away with all this as though it was never there, and that's the kind of redevelopment I thoroughly object to. Why can't developers work around the city rather than expecting the city to work around them? I can't even see how it would be economical to develop such a large site all with new units, whether they'd actually find all the tenants to fit. I don't know Leeds' situation with shopping and how many more areas it can sustain, but I'm a bit weary of wholesale shopping developments after the situation in Bradford.

Not all the buildings on site are worth keeping, but there's at least a good handfull that are and could be well integrated into a shopping district plan, also helping with the formation of an extended Chinatown with more restaurants in the area. As you were saying Leeds No. 1, it might not be a thriving district at the moment, but with some development used to inculcate it into a wider picture, it well could be.

What is the current plan at present in regards to the existing buildings? I would take a look back through the thread if it wasn't hundreds of pages long.

I also see nothing at all wrong with the YEP article either, nice to see some real investigative journalism for a change.

AFAIK (expecting to be corrected!) it's the buildings on the west side of Bridge Street, the south side of Eastgate, the 'bookends' (buildings each side of the bottom of Eastgate) and the north side of Eastgate apart from the gas showrooms (and of course the Lyons works 'Chinatown' building). The bookends and the north side of Eastage were then supposed to be rebuilt a few metres up the road to narrow/close the 'gap' next to the gas showroom...hmmm. There is quite an interesting window feature on the wall of the building below the gas showroom which faces this gap, and the the south bookend (Hoagy's) was under threat from Supertram in its current location, I think this might also be the case with NGT.

First ever post on a Leeds only project, I feel ashamed.

Just checked this thread out to see how this compares with Bradfords New Planned shopping centre, and dissapointingly its about 1000x bigger and better. Atleast our shopping centre is going to be built by the largest retail property group in the world.

Bradford!?! It's just a suburb of Leeds isn't it? :runaway:

But anway, Bradford is nothing nothing to do with Leeds, there two different cities, they only thing they have in common is they're both in the Leeds City Region otherwise they're nothing to do with each other.

Only thing is I don't think it shows any decent films, but some Hollywood films make it to IMAX (eg Polar Express), whereas Bradford tends to show some film on Scuba Diving... Also not worth going all the way to Bradford for...

The Bradford Imax has some fantastic films on offer which are worth going round the world to see.

Could someone suggest the IMAX for me then?... I've already sent my feedback :bash:

Don't you dare, if Leeds gets an Imax, Bradford is stuffed, I mean its already being stamped on by Leeds, and its one of the things that us Bradford residents are very proud, and its one of the things that Bradford has that Leeds hasn't.

Anyway the gap beetween Leeds and Bradford can only get smaller now, Bradford is growing and has alot to look foward to in the future. Leeds has recently had a massive Boom in development, I suspect in the future (next 10-100 years) Bradford will also have a similar Boom, thats if the BNP don't take over.

I suspect in the future (next 10-100 years) Bradford will also have a similar Boom, thats if the BNP don't take over.

Unless Bradford finds itself on new national road/rail networks- ie high speed rail or new national motorways (as opposed to spurs like the M606), then I highly doubt it will have a similar boom to Leeds. It's most likely Leeds will boom again if anywhere, and I think Huddersfield/Wakefield are more likely to 'boom' than Bradford.

Bradford may do better in the medium term, just thinking before the damned economic crunch hit, they had finished the Gatehaus and were planning an unprecedented number of major schemes (Broadway, Highgate, The Channel, Beehive Mills and the Asquith Tower amongst others) which would have stepped Bradford up a division in the city league, but of course that has all collapsed for now until goodness knows when.

And involve wholesale demolition and replacement of a few classic buildings in the area. Taking a look around on google street view, there's more than a few that deserve to be retained, especially the red brick Chinatown former warehouse building, which seems the core of a potential extended Chinatown. Instead it seems to be the plan to just do away with all this as though it was never there, and that's the kind of redevelopment I thoroughly object to. Why can't developers work around the city rather than expecting the city to work around them? I can't even see how it would be economical to develop such a large site all with new units, whether they'd actually find all the tenants to fit. I don't know Leeds' situation with shopping and how many more areas it can sustain, but I'm a bit weary of wholesale shopping developments after the situation in Bradford.

Not all the buildings on site are worth keeping, but there's at least a good handfull that are and could be well integrated into a shopping district plan, also helping with the formation of an extended Chinatown with more restaurants in the area. As you were saying Leeds No. 1, it might not be a thriving district at the moment, but with some development used to inculcate it into a wider picture, it well could be.

What is the current plan at present in regards to the existing buildings? I would take a look back through the thread if it wasn't hundreds of pages long.

I also see nothing at all wrong with the YEP article either, nice to see some real investigative journalism for a change.

Has anyone else been to the Liverpool One shopping centre since it opened last year. I went yesterday and it certainly is one of the best shopping centres I have been to considering it's mixture of architectural styles and seamless integration into the established shopping core of Liverpool.

Surely Eastgate would learn a lot from that scheme whenever it finally takes place and it would certainly be better to retain as many buildings as possible to give more variety to this scheme (as I believe it would result in the demolition of some buildings such as the Chinatown, Job Centre and the movement of the bookends).

Is there any sign of this scheme actually changing in light of the current recession whenever it finally starts construction and I take it is still on hold indefinately?

Another small business affected by the putting on hold of the Eastgate scheme: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Another-Leeds-trader-counts-cost.5400528.jp http://www.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Harmony+Restaurant,+Vicar+Lane,+Leeds&sll=53.904338,-4.042969&sspn=13.229018,39.418945&ie=UTF8&ll=53.800335,-1.539488&spn=0,359.998797&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=53.800335,-1.539488&panoid=7fu9QNsz8UPUiWjw3FnYNg&cbp=12,90.97,,1,3.46

Another Leeds trader counts cost of £800m scheme collapse

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED//TH1_256200957e4-2506-05-2406-152240.jpg
Sai Cai Siu at the Harmony Restaurant

25 June 2009
By Debbie Leigh
A HEARTBROKEN couple today blamed the mothballed Eastgate Quarters scheme for destroying their business.
Sai Cai Siu and his wife Rong Lan, who own Harmony Chinese Restaurant on Vicar Lane, said they have lost most of their customers after surrounding businesses relocated to make way for the £800m development.

The couple told say they will now close it for good next week.
They also revealed crime was flourishing in the area.

This included hypodermic needles being dumped behind their property, several break-ins and an arson attack which caused £10,000 of damage.
Speaking through an interpreter Mr Siu, 46, said: "Crime has increased because of the deserted area.

"The shop has been burgled three times. Before I could manage quite comfortably but since the compulsory purchase order (CPO) it affects business so badly.
"It's very depressing."

Mr Siu said when the eatery opened in 2005 it had a thriving lunchtime trade, with workers from nearby offices bulk-buying takeaway lunches and holding meetings there.

But when they moved out, their lunchtime custom disappeared and around a year ago they were forced to stay closed during the day, only opening at night.

The Eastgate project was billed as the revamp that would revive a run-down corner of the city.

But as reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post earlier this week businesses around the 25-acre site claim the development by The Leeds Partnership – a joint project between Hammerson and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities (TCS), backed by Leeds City Council – will leave them in financial ruin.

Fortunately for Mr and Mrs Siu they have a sympathetic landlord who, despite the two years left on their lease, is letting them move out.
Harlan Pollitt, property manager for Evans Property Group, Leeds, said: "We could have been greedy and kept them to it.
"We understand how difficult it is, especially for companies such as Harmony that are trading very poorly.

"The whole area is in a mode of depression, no money is being put into it."
Despite more than 20 objections from local businesses, the council gained a CPO last summer for land for the Eastgate project, which will include stores, apartments, a cinema and restaurants.

But Hammerson has now said it will not need the properties until 2011 at the earliest, and with such uncertainty, no tenants want to move in.
Mr Pollitt said: "We can't earn any income."

The proposed site is bounded by Vicar Lane, New York Street, St Peter's Street, George Street and Harewood Street and construction was due to begin this year and end by 2012.

Andrew Hilston, project director for Hammerson, said: "Hammerson is working closely with Leeds City Council to investigate a number of temporary uses that could be used for the vacant units in the Eastgate area.

"This could involve exhibitions, temporary retail occupiers and events linked to city centre activities."

He said the aim was to encourage footfall and enhance the area.
A council spokesman said businesses affected by the development could claim back legal fees for compensation claims but only once compensation has been agreed.

He said: "The CPO has not been implemented and so compensation and fees are not paid until this has happened."


Has crime really increased that much in that end of town as surely it has always being rather a ropey condition although of course with Eastgate on hold I guess the east side of Vicar Lane could be yet another example of planning blight although isn't the west slide slowly improving with the increased number of shops (predominately electrical retailers) taking space on that road in recent years (especially the former Brannigans bar / nightclub which only now I believe is becoming fully occupied by retailers)? It does seem very bad that Hammerson / TCS are withholding CPO payments for such a long time though. Couldn't they help the situation on Vicar Lane by making the buildings have a very low rent or even no rent perhaps to encourage usage until the Eastgate scheme finally commences?

at least there is now the chance to review the eastgate scheme including the single minded and ill-thought through :bash: public transport routes.

Will Eastgate mean getting rid of that Akbar's? Hope not!

Will Eastgate mean getting rid of that Akbar's? Hope not!

I don't know! It has just expanded, but I do prefer the Akbar's on Greek Street. :banana:

If anyone is interested in contemporary 'regeneration', this book is the old cliche of 'must read' - Ground Control: Fear and Happiness in the 21st Century City by Anna Minton. It has some interesting perspectives on Compulsory Purchase, Housing Market renewal through Pathfinder and the regeneration of Manchester city centre (Bank of New York taking an office at Piccadilly but 50% of its inhabitants living in 10% of the most critically deprived areas in the country - yup, welcome to Britain in 2009)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ground-Control-Fear-Happiness-Twenty-First-Century/dp/0141033916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246120525&sr=8-1

If anyone is interested in contemporary 'regeneration', this book is the old cliche of 'must read' - Ground Control: Fear and Happiness in the 21st Century City by Anna Minton. It has some interesting perspectives on Compulsory Purchase, Housing Market renewal through Pathfinder and the regeneration of Manchester city centre (Bank of New York taking an office at Piccadilly but 50% of its inhabitants living in 10% of the most critically deprived areas in the country - yup, welcome to Britain in 2009)


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ground-Control-Fear-Happiness-Twenty-First-Century/dp/0141033916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246120525&sr=8-1

It would be interesting to see what the deprivation rate is in NYC too. I'd also recommend "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by the late Jane Jacobs.

The main developer for the Eastgate Quarters, Hammersons have announced that losses have doubled in the last 12 months. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article6737068.ece

Hammerson losses double as retailers struggleRebecca O'Connor

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Hammerson.svg/200px-Hammerson.svg.png
Hammerson, the commercial property group, today reported that losses have doubled in the last 12 months amid declining rents from retailers.

The property group, which owns the Bullring in Birmingham and counts New Look and Next among its tenants, reported an increase in losses before tax from £417.1 million last year to £818.5 million.

It said that John Richards, chief executive, will retire at the end of September. David Atkins, currently managing director of the UK business, will replace him.

In a half year results statement, Hammerson said that its occupancy rate has fallen from 97.2 per cent in December 2008 to 92.6 per cent at the end of June. It said that although the number of retailers going into administration has declined since the start of the year, the figure still remains "relatively high", with overall retail rental values in the sector down 4 per cent in the first half of 2009.

Related Links
Hammerson faces long, hard property summer
Timing is looking good for Hammerson
Tempus analysis: Well built
Hammerson said that it expects the downward trend in rental values to continue in the second half of the year amid declining retail spending on non-food goods, but added that the impact is likely to be less pronounced in its regional shopping centres.

The company said that take-up of office space in Central London fell to its lowest level on record in the first quarter of 2009, but demand was boosted in the second quarter by the relocation of a number of major occupiers.

The value of group assets has fallen by 27 per cent from £6,457 million to £4,717 million in the last 12 months, following a slump in commercial property of almost 45 per cent from peak to trough. However, Hammerson said that yields had begun to harden and reported an increase in investor interest in property.

Hammerson has reduced its gearing from 118 per cent to 81 per cent and raised £584 million through a rights issue in February after it came close to breaking loan-to-value covenants set by bankers. Net debt fell from £3,333 million to £2,061 million in June. Bad debt accounted for £1.7 million.

The group said it has more than £900 million of cash and undrawn facilities, with £60 million of debt due to mature before December 2011.


Well that is certainly bad news although unsurprising considering the current recession and obviously it would be a very long time until Eastgate starts construction (if ever?) inevitably resulting in further blight in the Eastgate / Northern Vicar Lane end of Leeds city centre.

Further to the news that Hammersons losses had doubled in the past year, it has been revealed in the Yorkshire Post that the Eastgate Quarters will not commence until 2011 at the earliest. :ohno: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Developer-puts-shopping-centre-plans.5521269.jp

Developer puts shopping centre plans on hold until at least 2011


DELAYED: The proposed Eastgate development in Leeds.

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/YPOS//TH1_48200926Eastgate-Quarters.jpg
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryADVERTISEMENTPublished Date:
04 August 2009
By Lizzie Murphy
WORK on two Yorkshire shopping centres which were put on hold due the downturn will not begin again until at least 2011, according to the developer behind the projects.

David Atkins, chief executive of Hammerson, which is behind the Sevenstone development in Sheffield and Eastgate Quarter in Leeds, said he had "absolute confidence" in both the schemes but confidence needed to return to the occupier market in order for them to progress.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, he said: "We have continued to progress albeit slowly, moving the schemes forward. Even though there is nothing material happening on site, we continue to work up the design and talk to retailers.

"The precurser for this is in order to build a large retail mixed-use investment you have to be able to let them and I don't believe we have that confidence at the moment. That time will come.

"My crystal ball is murky at the moment but I hope that will clear in the next year and we are able to plan ahead. I don't believe we will start anything before the end of 2010."

He added: "These are quality schemes, the likes of which are very difficult to come by. Inevitably, because they are planned and developed over seven to 10 years you have to have the confidence to take them through cycles like the one we are in now.

"I have absolute confidence in both these schemes."

He said the design of both the developments were being reviewed but insisted that their overall feel and size will remain the same.

Mr Atkins was speaking yesterday after the company announced his appointment as Hammerson's new chief executive.

He replaces John Richards, 53, who is retiring after 30 years' service next month.

Chairman John Nelson said: "We consider this is a good time to manage this change. The company is in a robust, healthy position after some of the most difficult conditions in the real estate industry for many years."

The property investment firm also reported a 27.7 per cent fall in half-year net asset value per share to 373p.

The results, which were broadly in line with analysts' forecasts, reflected a long-awaited degree of stability in UK commercial real estate values, which have plunged about 45 per cent since June 2007.

Mr Nelson said: "Having fallen in value for nearly two years, the yield on commercial property is now high relative to the cost of finance...
in the UK, property yields for certain assets are no longer increasing."

Hammerson said its rental income rose 7.3 per cent to £156.4m and overall occupancy, excluding newly completed developments, was 95.7 per cent, reflecting encouraging lettings activity over the first half of the year.

Hammerson posted a 14.3 per cent fall in the value of its UK properties to £2.73bn, and a comparable fall in the value of its total investment portfolio to £4.7bn.

Despite the fall, Hammerson said its rent collection rates remained high and the number of defaults was slowing in both France and Britain.

About £8.4m, or three per cent of the group's total income comes from tenants in administration, about half of which continue to trade.

The board has recommended an interim dividend of 6.95p a share.

The results are the first to be published since Hammerson announced a £584m emergency rights issue in February.

Hammerson's positive outlook comes as researchers in some of the world's biggest brokerages hunt for more signs of a renaissance in Europe's bombed-out real estate market.

A report published last week by Cushman & Wakefield showed second quarter European real estate investment volumes rose 2.5 per cent to about e12bn on first-quarter levels, helping to stabilise prices and slow the quarterly rise in yields by 75 per cent to seven basis points.

Average prime property yields in western Europe (excluding the UK) now stand at 6.65 per cent, against 6.97 per cent in the UK, stoking hopes key markets like France, Spain and Germany may be near a turning point.


Despite the lack of surprise considering the current recession it would certainly be bad news for this end of town and who know when if ever such works would commence and what if Hammerson go bust? It would surely have an adverse impact on the Eastgate area of the city centre as I mentioned in my last post considering uncertainty over that areas future.

.....and what if Hammerson go bust? It would surely have an adverse impact on the Eastgate area of the city centre as I mentioned in my last post considering uncertainty over that areas future.


Isn't it interesting the way that different slants can be put on one set of news? This one's from The Business Desk:


Shadow over property market lifting for Hammerson

3rd August 2009

By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor

PROPERTY group Hammerson today said stabilising UK real estate prices had helped slow a decline in its net asset value in the first half of 2009.

The group, which is a a partner in plans to build two major shopping centres in Yorkshire - Sevenstone in Sheffield and Eastgate Quarter in Leeds - both of which are currently on hold, also announced the retirement of chief executive John Richards next month.

Hammerson reported a 27.7% fall in half-year net asset value per share to 373p.

Chairman John Nelson said: "Having fallen in value for nearly two years, the yield on commercial property is now high relative to the cost of finance....in the UK, property yields for certain assets are no longer increasing."

Hammerson said its rental income rose 7.3% to £156.4m and overall occupancy, excluding newly completed developments, was 95.7%, reflecting encouraging lettings activity over the first half of the year.

Mr Richards, who will leave Hammerson after almost 30 years of service at the end of September, will be replaced by UK managing director David Atkins.

Hammerson's board has recommended an interim dividend of 6.95p.

The results are the first to be published since Hammerson sounded a £584m emergency rights issue in February

This piece appeared on Friday in Property Week:


Hammerson and Land Securities’ Leeds spat

25.09.09

By Laura Chesters

Two of the UK’s biggest REITs, Land Securities and Hammerson, have come to blows over leasing strategies at rival retail schemes in Leeds.

The two, which have worked in partnership together on Birmingham’s Bullring and Bristol’s Cabot Circus, are now competing to secure the same retailers for their huge new centres.

Although LandSecs’ Trinity Leeds scheme has been delayed and is now scheduled for a 2012 opening, and Hammerson’s Eastgate Quarter is not likely to be built until at least 2013, both companies are in talks with large retailers about taking space.

Property Week has obtained a letter sent by Hammerson via email over the last few weeks to around 20 retailers that are looking for stores in Leeds, reassuring them that its scheme will go ahead despite rumours to the contrary, which it believes have emanated from LandSecs and its advisers.

The letter, sent by Hammerson’s agent, DTZ, said: “There have been various rumours in the market about this new 1.4m sq ft mixed-use development and I wanted to assure you that my client remains committed to delivering what is widely regarded as the best new scheme in the UK.”

LandSecs is understood to have taken exception to the letter, which it believes “points the finger” at it and is unhappy with Hammerson’s approach to retailers.

“Competition between developments is nothing new, and it’s not for us to comment on another developer’s strategy,” Bob de Barr, development director for Trinity Leeds, told Property Week. “LandSecs remains focused on leasing up Trinity Leeds and is seeing a good response from retailers.

“We continue to progress our plans and our intention remains to complete and open the scheme in autumn 2012.”

The battle to attract retailers has been magnified because large retailers are now typically taking just one store in a regional city, while in the boom years they would have been likely to have leased stores at both schemes.

Hammerson’s scheme is bigger, at 1.25m sq ft, and has John Lewis as an anchor but LandSecs’ 1m sq ft scheme wins on timing, as it is due to open two years before Hammerson’s.

LandSecs plans to extend the existing Trinity arcades and Leeds Shopping Plaza into a single 1m sq ft centre, scheduled to open in 2012.

DTZ declined to comment.

Given that Hammerson have already secured John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, I'm wondering which large retailers they and Land Securities could be fighting over.

matalan?

I wonder if John Lewis will pull out of Eastgate in favour of Trinity.

Although obviously everything is affected by the recession, Leeds is in a rather unique position. It is quite clear that whatever the state of the economy, Leeds can sustain larger stores than the average sized department stores on Briggate. In the case of John Lewis, it is by far the biggest catchment area that they do not serve, and I'm sure they are eager to open here- particularly with the high proportion of middle/high class residents in the catchment. While this doesn't give me confidence about the schemes (Eastgate mainly), it does reassure me that there are some stores- notably John Lewis- that are going to want to open in Leeds somewhere; whether thats Eastgate, Trinity or somewhere else.

There was something on this thread a while back that said Eastgate was going to bring a new River Island and Next into the city. Maybe these could be two of the retailers they are arguing over.

I wonder if John Lewis will pull out of Eastgate in favour of Trinity.

Although obviously everything is affected by the recession, Leeds is in a rather unique position. It is quite clear that whatever the state of the economy, Leeds can sustain larger stores than the average sized department stores on Briggate. In the case of John Lewis, it is by far the biggest catchment area that they do not serve, and I'm sure they are eager to open here- particularly with the high proportion of middle/high class residents in the catchment. While this doesn't give me confidence about the schemes (Eastgate mainly), it does reassure me that there are some stores- notably John Lewis- that are going to want to open in Leeds somewhere; whether thats Eastgate, Trinity or somewhere else.

Just get JL. Anywhere will do. Also Waitrose. I can't believe that Leeds doesn't already have these.

Just get JL. Anywhere will do. Also Waitrose. I can't believe that Leeds doesn't already have these.

We have the latter, but out in the suburbs (Otley).

matalan?

Mikes Carpets or a flagship Greggs anyone?

Just get JL. Anywhere will do. Also Waitrose. I can't believe that Leeds doesn't already have these.

Could Leeds city centre soon have a Waitrose of sorts soon as they launch a joint venture with Boots as I could see a Waitrose concession open within the main Boots in the Leeds Shopping Plaza. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article6848281.ece

As for John Lewis I thought it was a big shame personally they didn't take on the Lewis's / Allders building on The Headrow when that closed considering the retail space which was already available for such a store as well as it's central location and long history surely having a John Lewis in that building would be a better thing imo then losing the upper floors to offices (still to be let) and splitting what is left to Sainsburys, TK Maxx, Argos and one still to be let unit, even if John Lewis had to vacate that building several years down the line if Eastgate was developed and using the Lewis's building was a temporary site.

With regards to Eastgate I personaly think it is some considerable time off as I surely can't see it opening without Trinity open for several years as surely having Trinity and Eastgate open at around the same time could overwhealm the retail in the city centre (resulting in too many empty units) and it would probably be better to have stores open up gradually as opposed to having everything open in one go.

.........As for John Lewis I thought it was a big shame personally they didn't take on the Lewis's / Allders building on The Headrow when that closed considering the retail space which was already available for such a store as well as it's central location and long history surely having a John Lewis in that building would be a better thing imo then losing the upper floors to offices (still to be let) and splitting what is left to Sainsburys, TK Maxx, Argos and one still to be let unit, even if John Lewis had to vacate that building several years down the line if Eastgate was developed and using the Lewis's building was a temporary site.

With regards to Eastgate I personaly think it is some considerable time off as I surely can't see it opening without Trinity open for several years as surely having Trinity and Eastgate open at around the same time could overwhealm the retail in the city centre (resulting in too many empty units) and it would probably be better to have stores open up gradually as opposed to having everything open in one go.

Do you get as breathless when you're writing your posts as the rest of us feel when reading them?

John Lewis never had a chance of taking on the old Lewis's/Allders store. The site owners took the decision at the outset to split the retail part into four units. The upper floors were initially meant to be split between office space and residential but the owners decided to focus on office space.

My guess, for what it's worth, is that the developers had spotted the lack in Leeds of medium to large retail units and thought they could attract tenants quickly that way. And they were right.

Waitrose is coming to Meanwood! Eventually...

There is no chance of John Lewis pulling out of Eastgate, the wrangle will likely be the Arcadia brands and Next etc.

On a (sort of) related note, this is the runner up in the competition to design the actual John Lewis building, by Carmody Groarke.

http://carmodygroarke.com/projects/img/o69_03.jpg

More info here: http://www.carmodygroarke.com/projects/commercial/069.html

Shame this was from back when Hammerson actually showed any desire to actually progress this scheme. Despite constantly stating that things are still progressing in the background, they've yet to show any evidence of this in terms of planning etc (which Sevenstone has at least managed to do to some extent) and it seems more likely in the next few years Templar House will collapse than the restoration work take place. Oh well.

That design isn't too thrilling. It's not bad but I would hope for something much better or more interesting I think.

Is it possible for the John Lewis element of the development to go ahead even if the rest of Eastgate doesn't? Perhaps a phased approach could be pursued with John Lewis being the first phase.

The design is horrible, thank god it didn't win. I'd say it would date terribly, but I think it has to looks appealing in the first place!

Please tell me that thing was runner-up in a field of two. I'd hate to think there are architects producing designs that are judged worse than that.

I notice that the accompanying blurb says "the windows are framed with a load-bearing pigmented concrete fascade which correspond to the surrounding colours and materials of the brick and terracotta merchant city." This seems to be saying "it's a dull, utilitariian sort of place so we've produced a dull, utilitarian sort of look".

I have seen small renders of another design that looked better. Those renders are probably in this thread somewhere.

That design is horrible, looks like something from the bold new visions for Bradford City Centre in the 60s!

09/04368/LI/C

Leeds Partnership Listed building application to renovate and repair external fabric of the building

Grid Ref: 430544433759

Templar House
Lady Lane
Leeds

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

City & Hunslet
08/10/09

09/04368/LI/C

Leeds Partnership Listed building application to renovate and repair external fabric of the building

Grid Ref: 430544433759

Templar House
Lady Lane
Leeds

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

City & Hunslet
08/10/09


I think this is just the renewal of an existing application which is due to expire.

09/04368/LI/C
Leeds Partnership
Listed building application to renovate and repair external fabric of the building
Templar House
Lady Lane
Leeds
Approved
02/12/09
City & Hunslet

i kind alike that design.....reminds me of schofields somehow

Nothing significant, just found these snippets as I was sniffing around.


http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=133289&p=prop-pd-Eastgate-Quarters


(Feb 09)
http://www.eastgateleeds.co.uk/news_latest.php


(Look under Transport - No renders unfortunately)
http://www.acme.ac/

Also on the Acme site is some more John Lewis renders (under retail).

These renders show the John Lewis store at the end of the current bookends. I thought there were plans for 2 new modern bookends which would have been after the existing ones>?

Maby the john Lewis store will be part of the new bookends

Also on the Acme site is some more John Lewis renders (under retail).

These renders show the John Lewis store at the end of the current bookends. I thought there were plans for 2 new modern bookends which would have been after the existing ones>?

I think the plans were to move the bookends back (essentially rebuilding them further back), then adding new standalone bookends.

This is to enable the reinstated Ebenezer Street to meet with Eastgate between the new bookends and the newly-located old bookends. This explanation would also facilitate the new build John Lewis on the north side.

From yesterday's Business Desk:


Hammerson makes cautious steps forward with schemes
22nd February 2010

By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor, Yorkshire

PROPERTY investor Hammerson, which is involved in a number of stalled schemes in Yorkshire, today posted a 13% rise in net asset value since the middle of last year and said there were signs of recovery in its markets.

The bluechip investor, which owns or holds stakes in some of Europe's most popular malls, such as the Birmingham Bullring, said the value of its properties fell 9% to £5.1bn over the year to December 31, having rebounded 6% since June.

Hammerson, which is a partner in plans to build two major shopping centres in Yorkshire - Sevenstone in Sheffield and Eastgate Quarter in Leeds - both of which are presently on hold, signalled development plans in France. It said it would start work on the development of two sites in Paris.

Hammerson today reiterated that Eastgate Quarter has outline planning consent and that the group has a development agreement with Leeds City Council and agreements for leases with anchor tenants John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

In Sheffield, Hammerson also has a development agreement in place with Sheffield City Council and an agreement with John Lewis to anchor the centre. Discussions continue with the city council to complete the land acquisition phase of the project, the group said.

The property group said occupiers remained cautious about leasing space, but it signed 395 leases over 176,000 sq m of property in 2009. Property sales compressed its annual rental income to around £294m, up 1.1% on a like-for-like basis.

Chairman John Nelson said: "Recently there has been a recovery in property markets, supported by strong investor demand and the policy of central banks supporting financial markets.

"The economic outlook, however, remains uncertain, and against this background the board intends to maintain a prudent approach to financing."

While it's frustrating not to get any more positive news on the Leeds front, I suppose we should take comfort in the fact that Hammerson seem to have come through the recession unscathed.

I'm not sure why they don't build the 2 large stores for John Lewis & M&S, to kick start development. I recognise that there will be a bit of remodelling required at the bottom of Eastgate, but they've got the tennants lined up so why not crack on with this bit?

I'm not sure why they don't build the 2 large stores for John Lewis & M&S, to kick start development. I recognise that there will be a bit of remodelling required at the bottom of Eastgate, but they've got the tennants lined up so why not crack on with this bit?

I agree- why wait to build something that has a secured tenant? John Lewis particularly is almost guaranteed to succeed- there isn't another store until you get to Sheffield; and even Manchester (Centre) doesn't have one.

This whole moving the bookends idea is ludicrous. Stinks of an attempt to just do away with them once they're dismantled, economic viability probably being cited.

Well I definitely think something needs to be done on Eastgate. I like that it is a straight, well formed boulevard, but the unbroken nature of the buildings doesn't allow Eastgate to link to the areas on the north or south of it at the moment.

I think it's important to remember that the buildings on Eastgate are not actually that high quality. They are nothing compared to the grand Blomfield buildings further up The Headrow. The bookends and north side are better, but a large section of the south side is horrible:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3719533091_b7b25e3482_o.jpg

And a bit more from Hammerson, this time via the YEP:


Eastgate: 'No restart this year' on Leeds shops centre
Published Date: 24 February 2010

Work on a Leeds development looks set to remain at a standstill, a property firm says. Property group Hammerson this week played down any hopes of resuming work on the Eastgate scheme in Leeds.

Chief investment officer Peter Cole said: "It's unlikely that we will start this year. We are just coming out of recession and retail demand is still firming.

"Our view is that by the end of this year we can plan with certainty."

Hammerson said it was ploughing £430m into projects in Paris and Marseille.

The company is lead developer on the £800m Eastgate Quarter, with Marks & Spencer and John Lewis signed up. Construction was initially scheduled to finish in 2012.

Didnt they say they would possibly start in 2011 some time, so thats still likely.

No surprise there. I suppose I'm positive, if anything, that Hammerson keep posting news rather than letting it get 'swept under the carpet'. I think we can perhaps be positive about Eastgate eventually as Leeds is rather unique for a city of its size in not having had any major retail development comparable to L1 or the Bullring yet.

I'd be more happy to see Trinity start this year anyway as it's more strategically important in my opinion, so that's not so bad news really, in fact it could encourage Trinity to get cracking as Eastgate which would compete for customers is going to be years away.

I agree. Eastgate is years away, even if I am positive about it in the long term.

Trinity is the most important scheme in the city now; not least because it has created a huge hole in the prestiguous shopping core.

Was there any mention at all made on the proposed Leeds John Lewis store at Eastgate on the BBC2 documentary on the department store?

Was there any mention at all made on the proposed Leeds John Lewis store at Eastgate on the BBC2 documentary on the department store?

Last week's episode said something along the lines of them having plans to open a bunch of new stores around the country, but that they need to be financially conservative in the recession so had cut this back to just the one. Leeds wasn't mentioned explicitly; I don't think any of the not-being-built locations were.

Scaffolding is currently up around the Lady Lane British Road Services building. Probably to stop it from collapsing.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3784935960_7b4c3a768b.jpg

Looks like a piece of LA post-modernism. It ought to be consolidated and rehabilitated. Like the Neues Museum.

Scaffolding is currently up around the Lady Lane British Road Services building. Probably to stop it from collapsing.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3784935960_7b4c3a768b.jpg

There seems to be a bit of minor repair work going on as there were a few workers tapping at parts of the roof last Friday.

Planning applications in the Evening Post include: 'The Leeds Partnership: extension of time period major redevelopment, Eastgate and Harewood Quarter.'

Anyone know the detail?

Nothing to report.


http://www.arplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/STU3334-500x751.jpg


http://www.arplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/STU3290-500x332.jpg

Planning applications in the Evening Post include: 'The Leeds Partnership: extension of time period major redevelopment, Eastgate and Harewood Quarter.'

Anyone know the detail?

This is being considered at the next plans panel, and it is essentially what it says on the tin. The exact same application as before (outline permission) is being considered again, as the existing permission is to run out in August. If the extension of time request is successful they then have another three years to submit reserved matters applications that specify details and appearance etc.

What is more interesting is that if you read the report of the panel it mentions that a revised scheme is being worked up at present (separately from this application) and that details will be forthcoming in the near future. Personally I hope for more open space (large expanses of grass and water would be nice) and more respect given to Templar House which is somewhat boxed in in the current proposals.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/may/26/leeds-city-council
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/12/29/1262099767455/guardian_leeds_940x100.gif
Eastgate redevelopment plans get three-year extension
Stalled shopping and leisure development gets councillors support, but new plans expected in July

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/5/26/1274889062668/Eastgate-development-Leed-001.jpg
Much of the area dedicated to the planned Eastgate development is currently used for more than 1,000 car parking spaces Photograph: John Baron/guardian.co.uk

Planning permission for a major shopping and leisure area in the north-east corner of Leeds city centre has been extended to give the developer more time to deliver the scheme.

Members on this afternoon's city centre plans panel heard The Leeds Partnership is looking to build shops, restaurants, bars, offices, housing, a cinema, gym, medical centre, church drop-in facility, creche and hotel as part of the £800m Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development, which has stalled due to the economic downturn.

Councillors agreed in principle to extend the planning consent for the site for a further three years, while deferring the plan to the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government for the final decision.

Councillors were also told that the developer would soon be submitting a revised application for the site, which would be discussed by members at their July meeting.

Members at the Civic Hall meeting largely welcomed the development of the Eastgate area, but some had concerns about the scheme, which was first given approval back in 2008.

On completion, the 1.5 million sq ft scheme was due to create more than 100 new shops together with a restaurant district. John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were also attached to the development, which was expected to create over 4,000 new jobs

Councillors said they hoped that the developers would take note of their concerns and that the future plans for the site would reflect some of their feedback.

Labour councillor Elizabeth Nash said she was worried about the dominance and height of the current proposals.

She said:

"I hope when the new plans are presented to us in July that they are an improvement to this current one."

Labour's Jim McKenna added:

"I don't feel that there is enough public space for such a big development - it's over 10 hectares. They've not really turned any extra land into open spaces and seemed to have relied on the pedestrianisation of existing streets."

Both McKenna and Nash voted against the plans back in 2008.

Liberal Democrat James Monaghan said:

"The area is crying out for redevelopment, however I have some concerns about the current plans and I welcome a fresh scheme coming back to us so we can look at it again.

"I don't feel there's enough public open space. I also share concerns about the massing of the buildings and the demolition of the old Victorian warehouse building"

Meeting chairman, Liberal Democrat Martin Hamilton, said he hoped the developers were taking note of councillors' concerns prior to new plans being looked at in July.

He said:

"We don't have the new scheme in front of us today, so all we can agree is the principle of the development, but we hope some of the points we're making here will be addressed and we can get the best scheme for Leeds people.

"The positive news from today is that the Eastgate scheme is not dead, it is very much alive and there is the very real prospect of this going ahead. We are seeing signs - through the number of different development plans we are seeing - that investers are generally regaining their confidence and that bodes well for the future."

Head of planning services at the council, Martin Sellens, said it was important members approved the extension of planning consent for the site to give potential backers confidence in the scheme. He said that the financial situation and the developers' ideas for the site have had both changed since the plans were initially approved three years ago.

Civic architect John Thorp said he had been working with The Leeds Partnership on new proposals for the scheme for the past nine months.

Although the new proposals would not be heard until July's meeting, Thorp said they included a reduction in height of new buildings on Vicar Lane, the removal of underground car parking and the moving of public space within the development.

Councillors unanimously approved to extend outline permission on the site, which is bordered by Leeds Kirkgate Market, Harewood Street, Vicar Lane and New York Street.

The full report considered by councillors can be found here.

(Martin Sellens) said that the financial situation and the developers' ideas for the site have had both changed since the plans were initially approved three years ago.

Civic architect John Thorp said he had been working with The Leeds Partnership on new proposals for the scheme for the past nine months.



I fear the same old 'value engineering' excuse being applied to this scheme, but the presence of John Thorp is encouraging. Hopefully, there will be some proper renders available to the general public in July.


Even though I'm salivating at the thought of Thomas Heatherwick design in Leeds, I still have doubts about whether the levels of consumer spending in the next ten years will be enough to support such a large scheme, and the effect will it have on the existing retail core.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/800m-Leeds-shops-project-bid.6326311.jp
£800m Leeds shops project bid 'still viable'

28 May 2010
David Marsh

A flagship £800m Leeds development that stalled because of the recession is to be given a three-year extension to its planning consent.
The Harewood-Eastgate Quarter scheme promised major investment in a largely neglected part of the city centre when it was given outline planning permission in 2007.

With John Lewis and Marks and Spencer signed up as anchor tenants, the scheme proposed shops, apartments, offices, an eye-catching arcade, hotel, bars, cafés, restaurants, a gym, multi-screen cinema, public spaces and a 2,700-space multi-storey car park.

It also included the pedestrianisation of Eastgate and refurbishment of Templar House, Templar Hotel and the former filling station at the bottom of Eastgate.

It was hoped construction work would be completed by 2012 but the development – a joint venture between Hammerson and Town Centre Securities – was put on hold last year as the economic downturn began to bite.

With the original 2007 planning consent due to expire in August this year, the council's city centre plans panel has agreed in principle that planning approval can be extended to 2013.

Any hopes of an imminent start received a blow earlier this year when Hammerson chief executive Peter Cole said: "It's unlikely that we will start this year.

"We are just coming out of recession and retail demand is still firming. Our view is that by the end of the year we can plan with certainty."

Mr Martin Sellens, the council's head of planning services, said Harewood-Eastgate Quarter was a complex development and it was important to keep the planning permission alive.

Panel members agreed planning officers could grant the extension, providing the Communities and Local Government Secretary did not "call in" the application for determination.

The panel also heard the developers and council officials had been in
negotiations about changes to the scheme.

A report outlining possible alterations – that will need planning approval – is expected to be presented to councillors in July.

Mr John Thorp, civic architect, said the new proposals being drawn up were "driven by viability" and included reduced building heights on Vicar Lane and the relocation of public open space.

Mr John Thorp, civic architect, said the new proposals being drawn up were "driven by viability"

Oh dear.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/800m-Leeds-shops-project-bid.6326311.jp

Hammerson chief executive Peter Cole said: “It's unlikely that we will start this year.”

My home — which I like very much and don't want demolished! — is one of the properties this development will knock down. Last September I was told 2012 July is the estimated date they need me out by.

Before that the previous date was 2010 November 13th (which was curiously precise!). There have been many dates over the past several years, each of them often being only a year or so away and being pushed back in small amounts. So putting it back by 2¾ years in one go was massive.

I suspect that the above quote is actually spin, and the developers know very well that they won't be doing anything for at least 2 more years.

(Alternatively, it may be that there are other parts of the building work that could start before knocking down this building, but that seems unlikely given how short some of the previous eviction deadlines have been.)

Even though I'm salivating at the thought of Thomas Heatherwick design in Leeds, I still have doubts about whether the levels of consumer spending in the next ten years will be enough to support such a large scheme, and the effect will it have on the existing retail core.

Hopefully the effect will be similar to that of Liverpool One, and will serve to draw in greater numbers of shoppers.

Nothing to report.


http://www.arplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/STU3334-500x751.jpg


Where is that? Looks immense

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/jun/01/leeds-eastgate-developer-pledge
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/12/29/1262099767455/guardian_leeds_940x100.gif
Eastgate developers pledge £800m development will go ahead
Developer talks up delayed Leeds city centre scheme - and pledge commitment to 'exemplar' project

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/6/1/1275392981874/Eastgate-development-Leed-001.jpg
The area around Eastgate will be redeveloped once an ambitious shopping and leisure scheme finally goes ahead Photograph: John Baron/guardian.co.uk

Developers behind a planned £800 million redevelopment around Eastgate have promised that the regeneration of the run-down area will go ahead, despite delays.

The Leeds Partnership is looking to build shops, restaurants, bars, offices, a cinema, gym, medical centre, church drop-in facility, creche and a hotel as part of the £800m Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development. Eastgate itself would be pedestrianised under tha plans.

As reported last week, city councillors approved a three-year extension to outline permission for the stalled development, which originally received approval in 2008. Developers are now working on revised proposals for the scheme, which will be presented in an early form to councillors in July.

Project director Andrew Hilston today said developers were committed to the scheme but could not yet give a start date for the development. He added:

"I'm hopeful we'll be able to announce something before the end of the year."

Hilston also said that the residential provision for 300-600 units in the original scheme could now be reduced or dropped completely as there was 'an over-supply of housing' in Leeds.

He said:

"I completely understand that this is a very important project for the future of Leeds. It is something that we've invested a lot of money in over the years and and we're continuing to invest in it. We're very keen to see the project up and running.

"We're also very keen that this is seen as an examplar project which will elevate Leeds onto the next level. It's clear that the Eastgate area is in need of regeneration.

"If you look at similar projects up and down the country they've stopped completely because of the economic situation, but we haven't.

"It's been portrayed that development stopped because of the downturn, but last year was a busy one for us - we disposed of a major legal challenge to a compulsary purchase order for land and completed contracts on other areas of land.

"The planning and redrawing does take time, and we're trying to do it as quickly as possible."

On completion, the original 1.5 million sq ft scheme was due to create more than 100 new shops together with a restaurant district. John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were also attached to the development, which was expected to create over 4,000 new jobs. The two stores are still committed to the scheme.

Hilston said he was working closely with Leeds council's planning department and was taking on board the comments made by councillors last week about the dominance and height of the proposals and the need for more public open space.

He said they would be taken into account when revised plans are submitted.

Hilston added:

"Yes, we've listened, there's plenty of public realm space and pedestrianisation in our new proposals and we've listened to what they're saying about height.

"It's all part of our ongoing discussions with council officers. I can't give any more details at present."

Hilston also stressed the positive benefits to Leeds from the scheme.

He added:

"This scheme's going to be very good for Leeds. Something which promises to create jobs at a time when the economy is struggling can only be a good thing."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/jun/01/leeds-eastgate-developer-pledge
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/12/29/1262099767455/guardian_leeds_940x100.gif
Eastgate developers pledge £800m development will go ahead
Developer talks up delayed Leeds city centre scheme - and pledge commitment to 'exemplar' project

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/6/1/1275392981874/Eastgate-development-Leed-001.jpg
The area around Eastgate will be redeveloped once an ambitious shopping and leisure scheme finally goes ahead Photograph: John Baron/guardian.co.uk

Developers behind a planned £800 million redevelopment around Eastgate have promised that the regeneration of the run-down area will go ahead, despite delays.

The Leeds Partnership is looking to build shops, restaurants, bars, offices, a cinema, gym, medical centre, church drop-in facility, creche and a hotel as part of the £800m Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development. Eastgate itself would be pedestrianised under tha plans.

As reported last week, city councillors approved a three-year extension to outline permission for the stalled development, which originally received approval in 2008. Developers are now working on revised proposals for the scheme, which will be presented in an early form to councillors in July.

Project director Andrew Hilston today said developers were committed to the scheme but could not yet give a start date for the development. He added:

"I'm hopeful we'll be able to announce something before the end of the year."

Hilston also said that the residential provision for 300-600 units in the original scheme could now be reduced or dropped completely as there was 'an over-supply of housing' in Leeds.

He said:

"I completely understand that this is a very important project for the future of Leeds. It is something that we've invested a lot of money in over the years and and we're continuing to invest in it. We're very keen to see the project up and running.

"We're also very keen that this is seen as an examplar project which will elevate Leeds onto the next level. It's clear that the Eastgate area is in need of regeneration.

"If you look at similar projects up and down the country they've stopped completely because of the economic situation, but we haven't.

"It's been portrayed that development stopped because of the downturn, but last year was a busy one for us - we disposed of a major legal challenge to a compulsary purchase order for land and completed contracts on other areas of land.

"The planning and redrawing does take time, and we're trying to do it as quickly as possible."

On completion, the original 1.5 million sq ft scheme was due to create more than 100 new shops together with a restaurant district. John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were also attached to the development, which was expected to create over 4,000 new jobs. The two stores are still committed to the scheme.

Hilston said he was working closely with Leeds council's planning department and was taking on board the comments made by councillors last week about the dominance and height of the proposals and the need for more public open space.

He said they would be taken into account when revised plans are submitted.

Hilston added:

"Yes, we've listened, there's plenty of public realm space and pedestrianisation in our new proposals and we've listened to what they're saying about height.

"It's all part of our ongoing discussions with council officers. I can't give any more details at present."

Hilston also stressed the positive benefits to Leeds from the scheme.

He added:

"This scheme's going to be very good for Leeds. Something which promises to create jobs at a time when the economy is struggling can only be a good thing."

Great news, anything that improves this area of Leeds will be a benefit, especially that shite car park LCC operate.

Not that it's particularly important but I thought it was a NCP car park?

Perhaps it would be a more sustainable option to develop it in a phased way- for example doing the north side first. I would have suggested the south side, but the north side is where the two confirmed anchor tenants are.

http://www.pscpa.co.uk/images/eastgate.jpg

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/jun/01/leeds-eastgate-developer-pledge
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/12/29/1262099767455/guardian_leeds_940x100.gif
Eastgate developers pledge £800m development will go ahead
Developer talks up delayed Leeds city centre scheme - and pledge commitment to 'exemplar' project

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/6/1/1275392981874/Eastgate-development-Leed-001.jpg
The area around Eastgate will be redeveloped once an ambitious shopping and leisure scheme finally goes ahead Photograph: John Baron/guardian.co.uk

Developers behind a planned £800 million redevelopment around Eastgate have promised that the regeneration of the run-down area will go ahead, despite delays.

The Leeds Partnership is looking to build shops, restaurants, bars, offices, a cinema, gym, medical centre, church drop-in facility, creche and a hotel as part of the £800m Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development. Eastgate itself would be pedestrianised under tha plans.

As reported last week, city councillors approved a three-year extension to outline permission for the stalled development, which originally received approval in 2008. Developers are now working on revised proposals for the scheme, which will be presented in an early form to councillors in July.

Project director Andrew Hilston today said developers were committed to the scheme but could not yet give a start date for the development. He added:

"I'm hopeful we'll be able to announce something before the end of the year."

Hilston also said that the residential provision for 300-600 units in the original scheme could now be reduced or dropped completely as there was 'an over-supply of housing' in Leeds...........


Thanks for this update. I know that some people are sceptical about the likelihood of this scheme ever getting off the ground but it is true, as Hilston says, that Hammersons have already spent a lot of money on Eastgate. It's also true that Hammersons, as experienced developers in this field, are prepared to play the long game to get what they want.

A few years ago I heard their then CEO speak at a conference and he told the story of how Hammersons developed the Brent Cross shopping centre. The company began to plan the development in 1958 and it finally opened its doors in 1976, so the delays on Eastgate seem minor by comparison.

It's interesting, by the way, what Hilston has to say about the housing element of Eastgate. By omitting it, or scaling it back drastically, they could increase the amount of public realm considerably without losing the lucrative retail income.

Pedestrianisation of Eastgate keeps getting mentioned, but I thought it was going to be open to buses, which would access via a new bus lane between the Bus Station and Markets?...

No not open to buses, just open to NGT- as if it were a pedestrianised tramway like you get in many places on the continent.

And yes, if they omit the housing element, moer and better public realm could be provided.

A few years ago I heard their then CEO speak at a conference and he told the story of how Hammersons developed the Brent Cross shopping centre. The company began to plan the development in 1958 and it finally opened its doors in 1976, so the delays on Eastgate seem minor by comparison.


And of course, the Bullring in Birmingham (another Hammerson project) took years to get from planning to construction. Some early designs were discussed in Prince Charles' 1980s book about architecture but the scheme was realised about fifteen years later.

And of course, the Bullring in Birmingham (another Hammerson project) took years to get from planning to construction. Some early designs were discussed in Prince Charles' book about architecture but then the scheme was realised about fifteen years later.

15 years gezz !!

Nearly the same for an area of this site, I was working on a Harewood Quarter scheme for TCS about 12 years ago

Not that it's particularly important but I thought it was a NCP car park?

Perhaps it would be a more sustainable option to develop it in a phased way- for example doing the north side first. I would have suggested the south side, but the north side is where the two confirmed anchor tenants are.

Being pedantic I thought the car park to the south of Eastgate is operated by Leeds City Council whereas the car park to the north of Eastgate is operated by NCP. Still I do agree that Eastgate could perhaps be done in two phases as opposed to just one go although I guess it would be more logical to develop the southern part of the development first considering it's proximity to the existing shopping core.

It's interesting, by the way, what Hilston has to say about the housing element of Eastgate. By omitting it, or scaling it back drastically, they could increase the amount of public realm considerably without losing the lucrative retail income.

Wouldn't the residential have gone above the retail i'd have thought? I also thought that contary to some views there was actually now a shortage of residential in the city centre especially in affordable housing.

No not open to buses, just open to NGT- as if it were a pedestrianised tramway like you get in many places on the continent.


What is the exact reason for seperating normal bus services from NGT. It seems to me that closing off Eastgate to buses and forcing them to go down Vicar Lane and George Street / Dyer Street would surely add a lot of time to journeys imo as well as potentially cause more congestion.

15 years gezz !!

Nearly the same for an area of this site, I was working on a Harewood Quarter scheme for TCS about 12 years ago

Certainly is a long gestation. I guess it is also worth noting that there have been of course various plans for scheme on the Eastgate site since at least the 1970s. I can still see it being a fair few years until Eastgate is completed unfortunately.

In a few other questions is there any update on the future of Milgarth police station which could easily be incorporated into the Eastgate scheme, whether it is confirmed that all of the Eastgate development will have street level interaction a opposed to blank walls and is there really the demand to have two large M&S's in the city centre as planned with an M&S opening in Eastgate in addition to the existing Briggate / Trinity store?

If the north side is developed though because of the anchor tenants, it could provide scope for the south side to become a public park- or at least some of it. It would then put a park at the heart of the city.

I suppose NGT has reserved space because it was originally for a Supertram route. I don't really think Eastgate should be pedestrianised though. It should be made more pedestrian friendly- wider pavements and more trees, but would full pedestrianisation really work?

15 years gezz !!

Nearly the same for an area of this site, I was working on a Harewood Quarter scheme for TCS about 12 years ago


What, this one?

http://www.rudi.net/files/images/img_p068-12b.jpg

What, this one?

http://www.rudi.net/files/images/img_p068-12b.jpg

No it was the car park areas behind the Police station...... will see if can find some drawings for it

Scheme had a central sloping mall with shops to at ground level (some units up to first floor), few levels of car parking at the police station end. Few levels of residential and a hotel.
Conran Architects got involved towards the end......

Conran Architects got involved towards the end......


That's interesting, I never knew that. The first 'Harewood Quarters' was designed by Fletcher Joseph (FJ) Architects of Wakefield.


I believe this first image is of the revised stone-clad version of the design below, which was the first. It's a shame it never happened because Leeds would have had Trinity and Harewood Quarters already built by now.


http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/images/architecture_retail_12_on.jpg



http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/retail/images/1734_regeneration2.jpg



http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/retail/images/1734_regeneration1.jpg

That's interesting, I never knew that. The first 'Harewood Quarters' was designed by Fletcher Joseph (FJ) Architects of Wakefield.


I believe this first image is of the revised stone-clad version of the design below, which was the first. It's a shame it never happened because Leeds would have had Trinity and Harewood Quarters already built by now.


http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/images/architecture_retail_12_on.jpg



http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/retail/images/1734_regeneration2.jpg



http://www.fjarchitects.co.uk/retail/images/1734_regeneration1.jpg

Yeap, that's the one I worked on.....

Conran crowd came in to do the internal stuff, although the cynic in me thinks TCS just wanted their name involved to get a big name tenant in like Selfridges or John Lewis etc

http://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcadehttp://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcade

as anyone posted these yet?

http://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcadehttp://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcade

as anyone posted these yet?

I take my hat off to you, Sir.
The first decent renders of Templar arcade thus far.

it says 2007 tho :(

http://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcadehttp://www.wix.com/ateliergb/Gibane01/The-Templar-Arcade

as anyone posted these yet?

This is a great find! :cheers:

That night view :cheers: :banana: :banana:

I'm interested to know how recent these are, there a couple of conflicting thoughts I have really. The date in the information talks about 2007 - 2011 which we all know has now changed dramatically, but interestingly, the renders do not show the residential tower (instead this is open space) and the general layout of the buildings and shapes is slightly different to that indicated in the outline planning permission. Also I may be mistaken but I do not believe the police station is shown either.

Overall it looks great so far but my two concerns remain that there could be more green space and Templar House is far too crammed in among large buildings. Hopefully these issues are still to be looked at.

it says 2007 tho :(


And Sevenstone Sheffield lost its government funding yesterday.

We've seen some of this design before - Carmody Groake's version of John Lewis.



http://www.carmodygroarke.com/projects/img/069_03.jpg


http://www.carmodygroarke.com/projects/commercial/069.html

the revised proposals are to be presented at a city centre plans panel (hopefully the second one next month?)

and hopefully not too watered down from the 2007 renders!

the revised proposals are to be presented at a city centre plans panel (hopefully the second one next month?)




Any idea why this didnt make it to panel next week Graham?

From The Business Desk, 2nd August 2010

Don't get too excited - no start date is given despite the headline.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/45141-breaking-news-new-start-for-eastgate-quarter.html?news_section=7


Breaking News: New start for Eastgate Quarter

LEADING property investor Hammerson today gave a major boost to the region after announcing that it intends to move forward with plans for the stalled Eastgate Quarter shopping scheme.

The announcement for the retail development in Leeds follows the recent positive news that the £590m Trinity Leeds scheme in the city is also to be revived.

Hammerson's plans to bring forward work at Eastgate Quarter provide a further fillip to the city as it aims to build on its reputation as a leading retail destination.

Hammerson said the scheme would create up to 4,000 jobs and boost Leeds's retail ranking.

The firm is developing the Eastgate Quarter off the Headrow in Leeds with Town Centre Securities and has previously received outline planning consent for the scheme.

Retailers John Lewis and Marks & Spencer have signed agreements for leases for anchor stores at the site.

However, Hammerson said today it had reviewed the plans for the scheme following the recession and is proposing to make revisions to it which are "designed to improve the shopping experience and respond to retailer requirements".

Eastgate Quarter is expected to accommodate around 1m sq ft of new retail and leisure space and approximately 2,500 shopper parking spaces.

Peter Cole, chief investment officer at Hammerson, told TheBusinessDesk.com that the plans for the Eastgate Quarter would be "refined rather than changed".

Mr Cole said Hammerson was keen to ensure the retail element of the scheme complemented other retail areas in the city.

He said it was too early to say when building work would start on the scheme but said the public consultation would be important to ensure the revised plans were passed.

Hammerson said today: "The scheme review revealed a strong retail appetite for aspirational fashion encompassing youth fashion brands and high street favourites.

"An extensive catering quarter will also feature with the offer ranging from a quick lunchtime snack to casual evening dining.

"Over the coming months, the revised design will evolve as key retail and city stakeholders are consulted with a public exhibition on the new scheme expected in the autumn."

A revised scheme is expected to be submitted to Leeds City Council before the end of the year.

Hammerson said that over the last six months it had secured three new retail lettings and two major office lettings totalling 30,000 sq ft on property within its ownership on the site "to ensure the area remains active while planning and design milestones are achieved".

Andrew Hilston, project director, said: “A regeneration project of this scale has the potential to truly transform this part of the city. We are committed to our vision for Eastgate Quarters which will deliver high quality retail space, offices, statement architecture and outstanding public realm.

“Eastgate will add to the national and international standing of Leeds as well as providing in the region of 4,000 new jobs.”

I suppose they feel they have to compete with Land Securities at Trinity. Still, it's very good news for the city! I really hope we see it develop, even if it is a long term project.

Thats great news. Wonder if Sheffield's Sevenstone development will also get the go ahead, or whether Hammersons are just going to concentrate their efforts and money on Leeds?

Sounds like positive news, even though not a firm commitment to make an actual start.

I think Trinity is the really big news in Leeds at the moment, but this is welcome too, particularly as it has the prospect of the John Lewis store.

It's all sounding very positive for Eastgate - but I think Sheffield and Bradford may have to wait a while for their new shops as their centres are not in the same league as Leeds.

how dare you say that ;) lol jokes

It's all sounding very positive for Eastgate - but I think Sheffield and Bradford may have to wait a while for their new shops as their centres are not in the same league as Leeds.

Hammerson have stated that revised plans re Sevenstone should be released shortly, steps are also being taken to complete purchase of existing land apparently - therefore much the same position as Eastgate. Funding for new market buidlings on the Moor in Sheffield has also just been agreed.

http://www.estatesgazette.com/blogs/focus/2010/08/is-eastgate-leeds-really-a-go-or-is-trinity-leeds-still-the-only-show-in-town.html

The revised scheme is being presented as a pre-application proposal to the central plans panel next week. Rather strangely though, the proposal is for plans panel members only though, so no documents are going to be published online or made public.....

Apparently there are some pretty significant changes, can't wait to see them in detail.

..and as the build up to the releasing of the new plans continues, I read this week that Hammerson have just appointed a new PR team to launch a public consultation exercise this autumn.

On another note, as far as I am aware, the website has always been eastgateleeds.co.uk, but today I stumbled across this...

http://www.eastgatequarters.com/flash/home.swf

Now, whilst the front page appears the same as the existing website, the fact that none of the other pages work at present lead me to suspect this could possibly become the new website in the near future.... we shall see.......

http://www.eastgatequarters.com/flash/home.swf

Now, whilst the front page appears the same as the existing website, the fact that none of the other pages work at present lead me to suspect this could possibly become the new website in the near future.... we shall see.......

You've linked to the main flash file not the actual site page, which explains the broken links. Visit the root URL and the site works fine.

http://www.eastgatequarters.com/

My apologies. Has this duplicate website always existed? Seems a little strange?

My apologies. Has this duplicate website always existed? Seems a little strange?

It's typical for some firms to buy multiple domain names that are similar to their actual name to ensure people searching for it have more success in doing so. So it looks like they've registered both as one contains the location and the other is the actual name of the project. It's also typcial of them that both .co.uk and .com of eastgateleeds and eastgatequarter are registered.

According to today's (Sat 18th Sept) Evening Post there will be a public display of the revised plans for Eastgate next Friday and Saturday. Location will be Cross Arcade in the Victoria Quarter, times as follows:

Friday - 9am to 7pm
Saturday - 10am to 4pm

This is the article in full.

Leeds: £700m Eastgate plans to go on show

New plans for the £700m Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds go on public display on Friday.
Developer Hammerson is holding a two-day exhibition in the Cross Arcade, Victoria Quarter, featuring details of the revised proposals and giving people the chance to comment on them.

The exhibition is open on Friday from 9am to 7pm and between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

The scheme includes John Lewis and Marks & Spencer stores and a further 130 shops and restaurants. A new arcade will be created as part of the scheme

Templar House, a grade two-listed building, will be restored and set around a new public square. About 2,500 car parking spaces will be provided.

Andrew Hilston, project director for Hammerson, said: "The revised scheme that people are able to view is the result of over 12 months of hard work. This will help to ensure we have the best scheme for Leeds, enabling us to attract great retail brands alongside creating exceptional new civic space for the city.

"Eastgate Quarters will be the largest regeneration scheme to be delivered in the city, creating up to 4,000 new jobs and contributing to the city's already famous reputation as the retail capital of the North."

A planning application for the revised development is to be submitted to the council this autumn.

This is the article in full.

Leeds: £700m Eastgate plans to go on showPremium Article !Your account has been frozen.

New plans for the £700m Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds go on public display on Friday.

Fantastic!

Unfortunately I go back to university on tuesday, so I don't suppose someone could drop in and report back? - a few pictures maybe? Cheers! :cheers:

I'm in Town that day with the camera.

Expect some serious dumbing down, but it will be good to see Thomas Heatherwick's designs for the first time, assuming he hasn't been dropped in favour of Chapman Taylor or Carey Jones.

This is intriguing -

Templar House, a grade two-listed building, will be restored and set around a new public square.

http://www.egi.co.uk/articles/2010/09/14/723177/Town-Centre-Securities-cedes-Leeds-Eastgate-to-Hammerson.htm?cp=ILC-EGI-RSS

From The Business Desk

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/67792-eastgate.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Yorkshire_23rd_Sep_2010_-_Daily_E-mail


Hammerson reveals revised design for £650m Eastgate Quarters scheme

23rd September 2010
By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor, Yorkshire

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/assets/_files/cached/img/310x164/sep_10/businessdesk__1285224752_EQ_view_of_Eastgate_Square.jpg?access=604T281T840

IT'S been billed as one of the region's key regeneration projects and one, which despite the recession, has never been in doubt according to its developer. Ian Briggs reports on Hammerson's proposed Eastgate Quarters scheme and takes a tour of the massive site that it will occupy.

"We're a long term investor and this project is no different," says Andrew Hilston, project director at Hammerson running the Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds. "Every retail development we've been involved with we've stuck with."

Mr Hilston is keen to convey the message that despite speculation that the recession has derailed the project, developer Hammerson has never had any doubts about its commitment to both the scheme and the region.

Mr Hilston, who said Hammerson has invested more than £80m to date on the project, said: "When the stories were coming out recently saying that the scheme was starting again I was responding by saying 'we never stopped'.

"The strategy has been over the last 18 months to consult with occupiers on the site, stakeholders and Leeds City Council to have the best set of proposals for the scheme.

"The area is crying out for regeneration and our offer is £650m of investment."

Despite the confident outlook, Mr Hilston admits that Hammerson has revised its proposals for the 1m sq ft development which, when built, will cover a large swathe of Leeds city centre including areas on both sides of the Headrow.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the developer and property investor has taken out the planned residential element of the project given the crash in the housing market and the number of available and empty apartments in the city.

The configuration of Eastgate Quarters has also changed, with the location of its two anchor tenants, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, moving and more emphasis being put on public realm through creating squares and saving important historic buildings.

John Lewis will move from the east of Bridge Street to opposite the police station on Millgarth Street and the land on which the original location of the store would have stood will no longer be part of the development site.

The scheme will include around 350,000 sq ft of department stores, around 140,000 sq ft of cafes, restaurants and eating space, around 350,000 sq ft of retail space and 100,000 sq ft of offices.

Public realm will account for around 90,000 sq ft and a new arcade will be created as part of the scheme to provide new retail space for small and medium sized businesses.

The development will include the restoration of the Grade II listed Templar House set around a new public square which could be used for city events alongside improvements to the historic Templar House Hotel.

The plans will include car parking provision on the site with around 2,500 new spaces and potentially a heat and power plant.

The Low Carbon Energy Centre would have the potential to deliver energy to the development and surrounding residents and businesses through renewable energy sources and a combined cooling heat and power process.

Mr Hilston believes Eastgate Quarters, coupled with the acceleration of work on site in the city at retail scheme Trinity Leeds, which is being developed by Land Securities and Caddick, and the Leeds Arena, will catapult Leeds into a premier shopping destination to rival Birmingham and Manchester.

Although Hammerson does have outline planning permission for the scheme, it needs to resubmit the plans as they have been revised.

However, Mr Hilston is confident the application will be approved before the end of the year following public feedback.

However, he would not be drawn on when Hammerson hopes a full application will be ready and when work will start on the three year build. Negotiations have started with potential tenants so that pre-lets can be agreed.

Mr Hilston has been liaising with affected businesses, and one chuch, in the area who will have to relocate to make the way for the build. Some already have.

The Council has gained a Compulsory Purchase Order enabling the developer to buy land for the project.

"We are hugely sympathetic to the people affected.It's a really difficult thing to deal with but we are trying."

As part of the consultation process, residents and businesses are being invited to an exhibition to view the outline proposals for the revised scheme and give their opinions.

The two day exhibition, being held in the Cross Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Leeds, tomorrow and Saturday, will allow visitors to provide feedback on the proposals.

Mr Hilston added: “The revised scheme that people are able to view is the result of over 12 months of hard work. This will help to ensure we have the best scheme for Leeds, enabling us to attract great retail brands alongside creating exceptional new civic space for the city.

"Eastgate Quarters will be the largest regeneration scheme to be delivered in the city, creating up to 4,000 new jobs and contributing to the city’s already famous reputation as the retail capital of the North. We've demonstrated our commitment to the city."

- The exhibition takes place tomorrow from 9am to 7pm, and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

It seems like they've made the right changes to the location of JL and M&S but I'm a little disappointed that there isn't any mention of 'The Meadow' the planned green space at the back of Harewood Courts, although presumably this has disappeared to make way for John Lewis.

Nice portland stone dressing on the otherwise messed around bookends.

It makes interesting reading. I agree that moving John Lewis closer to the established shopping core does sound sensible in my opinion, I think having it too far away may have been a problem for its prospective footfall (knowing how simplisticly blinkered much of the Leeds population are), so it looks like a good move.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the developer and property investor has taken out the planned residential element of the project given the crash in the housing market and the number of available and empty apartments in the city.
This seems to be a somewhat out of date now, things have notably moved on and this is reportadly no longer the case. But it's not a bad thing as keeping the supply of new apartments down will give other schemes a better chance.

This seems to be a somewhat out of date now, things have notably moved on and this is reportadly no longer the case. But it's not a bad thing as keeping the supply of new apartments down will give other schemes a better chance.

I don't think
"... and the number of available and empty apartments in the city."
was ever true. The Business Desk journo is just repeating rumour.

From the report "City Living: Beyond The Boom":
"City centre apartment schemes in Leeds generally have high levels of occupancy. The properties managed by six major firms of
agents total 3153 apartments and these are more than 92% occupied. Only one scheme is entirely vacant. The rental market has
been strong during the recession."

It seems like they've made the right changes to the location of JL and M&S but I'm a little disappointed that there isn't any mention of 'The Meadow' the planned green space at the back of Harewood Courts, although presumably this has disappeared to make way for John Lewis.

Nice portland stone dressing on the otherwise messed around bookends.

the bookends aren't in that picture.....

The civic trust's facebook feed seems to think it involves demolishing them! I appreciate that last time they were on about 'dismantling and moving' them or something similarly suspect, but does this mean they are going to go altogether? Bonkers if they are.

Forgive my ignorance here guys but what are we talking about with the bookends?

I guess I meant the Eastgate range of buildings. Bear in mind John Thorp is supposed to be working on these so I think they're in safe hands.

Here you go.
What's with restoring the 1950s range of buildings on the north side of Eastgate?




http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/2EQ%20view%20of%20Eastgate%20Square.jpg






http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/EQ%20Birdseye%20view%20from%20West.jpg






http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/EQ%20view%20down%20Eastgate%20from%20headrow.jpg







http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/TheScheme-Design.jpg





http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/Header2.jpg






http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/Scheme-Transport.jpg

Are the bookends the buildings at the bottom of Eastgate, those plus the 1930s one at the top, or just the 1930s ones at the top and bottom? Because it seems that the 1950s buildings on the south side are staying whilst Hoagy's, despite being a nicer building in the 30s style of the rest, is going. I appreciate its future was always a bit ambiguous with threats from things like Supertram, indeed I have no idea how the NGT plans affect its site, but still.

And of course the poor old Lyons works (the old Chinese shops) plus others are still going.

Am I right in thinking that one side of John Lewis will be opposite the outdoor markets (George Street)? If so, I think there needs to be some money spent on that area first, that street is in a very poor state. In fact I can't quite believe that JL would want a flagship store right next to the markets. Don't get me wrong, the markets are a very important part of the shopping scene in Leeds and serve its purpose well, but they don't sit well next to such a flagship store.

Also, does it mean that JL will be built over the police station as its moving to Elland Road?

I am certainly against the idea of demolishing the Hoagy's Eastgate book end (surely a key element of Blomfields Headrow redevelopment) and the characturful Lyons Works. Why couldn't these buildings be incorporated into the Eastgate development. Also I am not keen personally on the look of the John Lewis building (would have preferred something which matched better with the Headrow buildings imo whilst giving a contemporary twist) and the development doesn't give any new green space.

Also with John Lewis on the south side of Eastgate could it mean that the development could be done in two stages with the section of the development to the north of Eastgate taking place when the demand is there? Also with the complete closure of Eastgate to traffic wouldn't it cause congestion on Vicar Lane, New York Road and George Street especially from re-routed buses. Still it would be interesting to see when this development would finally be open for business considering it is such a vital development which would surely help surrounding development sites to the north in the Leylands and to the east on Quarry Hill.

This is great news. The graphics on Look North looked impressive. I just hope it doesn't get stalled.

Below is a link to the masterplan.

http://www.eastgateleeds.co.uk/assets/downloads/eastgatemasterplan.pdf

I can't see it being built in two stages because JL demand access to a car park (hence the footbridge over eastgate) which is being built above the northern arcade.

The Hoagys bookend was to be demolished as part of the NGT so it was going anyway. But yes the bookends are technically the two end sections next to the roundabout.

The police station is not part of the masterplan.

I can't see it being built in two stages because JL demand access to a car park (hence the footbridge over eastgate) which is being built above the northern arcade.

The Hoagys bookend was to be demolished as part of the NGT so it was going anyway. But yes the bookends are technically the two end sections next to the roundabout.

The police station is not part of the masterplan.

First impressions:
Fantastic glazed roof over arcade - gone
Saving both the bookends - gone
Replacement of yucky Southern side of Eastgate - gone
Pedestrianisation of Eastgate roundabout - gone

Wow i'm pretty impressed, i would love to see this happen sometime soon.... :)

First impressions: Oh dear oh dear oh dear........:ohno:

I'm going to try and visit the exhibition tomorrow, but my initial reaction is not good at all.....

Edit: In fact, the more I see, the worse it seems to get, the North side is a huge mall block and as for the walkway over Eastgate...... the words hell and no spring to mind...... The whole thing just looks a bit of a mess imo....

Juvenile perhaps, but this made me smile slightly.... http://www.eastgateleeds.co.uk/Interactive-Masterplan.aspx
It's on the sitemap, but methinks it's not quite ready...

I find the plans generic, boring, soulless & lacking in character.

I can honestly see it failing...

I find the plans generic, boring, soulless & lacking in character.

I can honestly see it failing...

It won't fail.

Hmmm... I don't like it, seems all over the place.


http://files.opendebate.co.uk/files/Hammerson/eastgatequarters/EQ%20Birdseye%20view%20from%20West.jpg

Whats that tower to the far end of the site???