What was said back in 2003

Quarry Hill development agreed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/citylife/images/caddick_development_270.jpg
An artists impression of the new Quarry Hill development

Councillors have given the go-ahead to the final site awaiting development in Leeds' cultural quarter on Quarry Hill.

Leeds City Council's Executive Board agreed the shape of the final development on Wednesday 11 June.

The successful scheme will still need to gain planning approval.

The succesful proposal is for a mixed-use scheme consisting of office and residential properties including private and student housing, and some retail and leisure units at ground floor level.

New public car parking and public areas are included into the scheme, occupying an eight-acre site on Quarry Hill (currently used as a public car park).

Work is due to start on site in early summer 2004.

The new BBC building in Leeds is also on the Quarry Hill site.

Caddick Developments Ltd have been selected as the preferred developer for the scheme which will bring an estimated £65m of investment into the area.

Councillor Elizabeth Minkin, executive member for development, says: "I am pleased to announce that we have agreed on our preferred scheme in principle for Quarry Hill.

"Once we have ironed out the finer details, this development will be the final piece in the Quarry Hill jigsaw.

"It will make this area of the city centre a lively hub of activity, day and night, and complement existing occupiers such as the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds College of Music and the BBC."

>>>>>Work is due to start on site in early summer 2004>>>>>

Well it's summer 2005 now and no sign of work starting !

>>>>>Work is due to start on site in early summer 2004>>>>>

Well it's summer 2005 now and no sign of work starting !
Thats what they promised us back in 2003, and any promised start date must be taken with rather more than a pinch of salt.

Didn't the WY Playhouse say they would lose out because there was a lack of parking in the scheme? Maybe it is being redesigned with more parking, or just more parking added on?

Both the The Council and the Civic Trust have blasted the current designs for being too bland, I think this is back on the drawing boards.

Leeds Civic Trust website says:

Objection to the scale and massing of the buildings, lack of green open space. See lettter to planning (http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/letters_to_planning/ltp_quarry_hill.htm). It pulls no punches.

Projected Quarry Hill that was panned by LCT.

http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/quarryhill.jpg

1) I've never seen that rednering of it.
2) I didn't particularly mind the scheme although there was a lack of green space.

I can't think of a single positive thing to say about this development in it's present state. There's just no excuse for such blandness and lack of imagination, other than pure financial gain.

The planners should be thinking about how this relates to the nearby harewood quarter redevelopment to create a lively attractive eastern edge of the city centre with a true sense of place.

Could there be alot more retail and leisure space put into the development than originally proposed to alomst extend the core city centre? Or do you think it would provide too much retail space so that its just the same stores again, or so its just empty....

And there's also this part 10 and part 11 storey office complex which will add to the ever widening range of public and commercial developments in the Quarry Hill area of the city.

http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/Qhillhotlge.jpg

Yeah I know, I quite like that building though and it should provide a feeling of density to make quite a good entrance into the city centre from the north.

Here's a shot of the College of Music extension taken in March. Shows the Playhouse, CoM and BBC studios with Quarry House hulking in the background. Will get a better update shot of the CoM extension this weekend as the glass cladding looks rather fetching indeed.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3480/quarryhill1yr.jpg

hmm. I don't like it, but then again I havent had a good look. Ive heard it looks better in real life than in photos so Ill have a look tommorow.

And there was also this at Quarry Hill for a 9-storey hotel

Application 20/19/04/RM
Description
9 storey hotel, casino, bars, and restaurants with multi level basement car park
Location
Quarry Hill, Eastgate, LS1
Decision Permission Granted Decision Date 11/06/2004

Better quality rendering of the DLG proposal.

http://www.dlg.net/images/Index%20Images/Quarry_01.gif

Where are you getting all of these from!? It looks pretty good IMO, follows a similar style to Clarence Dock... I hope theres some Green Space incorporated into it too. Quarry House will be 'split up' a bit by new buildings around it, but the front of it should still provide the focal point for Quarry Hill and The Headrow/Eastgate.

Better quality rendering of the DLG proposal.

http://www.dlg.net/images/Index%20Images/Quarry_01.gif

Don't think it is much of an improvement. Where is the Playhouse in relation to this picture ? As for Quarry House being 'split up' - short of knocking it down (which I would prefer) couldn't it be given a face lift ?

Don't think it is much of an improvement. Where is the Playhouse in relation to this picture ? As for Quarry House being 'split up' - short of knocking it down (which I would prefer) couldn't it be given a face lift ?

that view could be right in front of Millgarth looking towards Quarry House. you can see the slated roof of the Playhouse in the bottom right. That render looks much better and more realistic than the only other image of the Caddick scheme which ps60 posted. Looks a bit like Franklin House with the jaunty angled glass corners.

I quite like Quarry House. I think the playhouse is those brown rooves infront of the white triangular building on the right.

I quiet like Quarry House. I think the playhouse is those brown rooves infront of the white triangular building on the right.

eloquently put No.1.

As for Quarry House being 'split up' - short of knocking it down (which I would prefer) couldn't it be given a face lift ?

I know Quarry House isn't the best, but try looking at it from outside 'Knock on Wood' on Eastgate, it really does have some architectural power viewed from there. There's an interesting review of Quarry House in Simon Armitage's book 'All Points North'.

Some images from its construction -
http://www.leodis.org/images/20021125_20421999.jpg

http://www.leodis.org/images/20021122_362795.jpg

...and from when it was just a twinkle in a Whitehall civil servant's eye

http://www.leodis.org/images/2005118_91617984.jpg

you've quite a collection of 'ye olde Leeds' photographs there Di Livio. I presume before your custodial sentence you were an inhabitant of Leeds?

Its bloody annoying that of a total of 4 separate schemes on the drawing board for over two years, absolutely nothing is yet under construction at present.

I quite like Quarry House.


Each to his own !

Excellent photos di Livio ! Quarry House looks quite decent in that second one all encased in scaffolding and without that ridiculous aerial feature. An architectural journal described the building as "...an architectural disaster which should never be allowed to happen again". I agree.

I think Quarry Hill is audacious and masterful, after all it is a government building.

Even though not much has changed, Some of those images really show that Leeds is alot better now- the petrol station, now a fountain makes a good entrance to the city, although a better backing is needed instead of Millgarth Police Station. Quarry House is an ok building, which is a big landmark building defining this area of Leeds. Its only disadvantage IMO is seperating the city centre from the rest of the city, which can easily be overcome if the area is managed properley.
I hope that there will be better links to Quarry Hill so that pedestrians do not have to cross St. Peters Street. Either a subway or bridge. Both I dont particularly think are good but then neither is a crossing IMO. Maybe the real solution is to turn it into a more local road like The Headrow as The Harewood Quarter and Eastgate Quarter and Quarry Hill are built enclosing it. By this time, the road will not be a boundary for the city centre. It might be better to divert the city centre loop around the back of Quarry House, simply to avoid this area.

I think Quarry Hill is audacious and masterful, after all it is a government building.

That said, there's something quite offensive about sticking a piece of London on Quarry Hill, against the wishes of the council and the people of Leeds, and ruining the view down one of Leeds' main streets.

But, i suppose, it does obscure Burmantofts from the city centre!

I dont really think it ruins the view down Eastgate, it'd just be commie blocks if it wasnt there and it was designed by the same architects of the MI5 building to provide a focal point down Eastgate. I cant really imagine a smaller building there.

That said, there's something quite offensive about sticking a piece of London on Quarry Hill, against the wishes of the council and the people of Leeds, and ruining the view down one of Leeds' main streets.

But, i suppose, it does obscure Burmantofts from the city centre!

I know there are some grotty buildings in London but it is not 'a piece of London' ! It is an obtrusive hulk. It seemed to get passed the planning committee pronto because the city council was so ecstatic to get this relocation they didn't seem to worry about the design. A similar thing was going to happen in Nottingham with the relocation from London of an Inland Revenue dept. Their city council refused the original design of the building and, even though threatened by the government that the relocation would therefore go somewhere else, it stuck to its guns and eventually the government gave in and a competition inviting top architects for the best design was held. A council with more spunk than that in Leeds !

A council with more spunk than that in Leeds !

I think the meaning has changed over the years!

BTW I like Quarry House especially the crown on top. The building is very emposing and grandiose. I suppose it is down to taste. Like it or loathe it, it's here to stay for some time. If any of the other buildings planned for quarry hill create as much of a debate it'll be a very exciting place.

Also love the college of music extension but it's not as colourful as the renders, maybe at night when the lights are on, it will create a reverse stained glass window effect.

Yeah you reall shouldnt use that word nowadays.
I'm not sure if I like the college of music extension. It looks better than in photos, but its quite large and doesnt fit in, which Im asure will change with the new developments. Its an ok design, but doesnt fit in this area of the city yet... Its quite dominative really...

... Its quite dominative really...

Is that a proper word?

I was wondering that when typing it... I dont know really

I was wondering that when typing it... I dont know really

I think you'll find it's not. Dunno what they teach you at Aidans. Tsk! ;)

I made it up just now- what else would you say.... As far as Im concerned its word now.

I made it up just now- what else would you say.... As far as Im concerned its word now.

I'll let the Oxford English Dictionary know...:D

Dominating perchance?

BTW, 'spunk' is a perfectly respectable word meaning courage or spirit. It has been highjacked colloquially just like that other perfectly respectable word 'gay'. :)

Shakespeare invented words, why cant L NO.1?

Dominative is an acceptable variation of dominating

Word of the day toilet paper needed all round then chaps. I'm a numbers man! Hurrah. Quarry Hill then, hmmmm, apparently its got a swimming pool in the basement. But full of civil servants, booooh!

Dominative is an acceptable variation of dominating

Touche caw! You sure? I've never heard anything be described as being dominative and it isn't in the OED or the online thesaurus that I checked (I'm certainly not making any claims for myself in the English grammar department!)

Anyways, we've certainly had some good digressions today, from Quarry Hill to English grammar and from worst place to live in the UK to best chippies in Leeds and Harrogate! Let no-one say that SkyscraperCity isn't a multifaceted board! ;)

From the Yorkshire Post

Go-ahead for huge redevelopment
Ian Briggs

A £100m mixed use development which will breathe new life into part of Leeds city centre has been given the green light by planning officials.

Developers of the 8.1 acre complex hope to transform the Quarry Hill area of the city, once the site of one of Europe's biggest social housing schemes, into a centre for culture and one of Leeds's most prominent business and residential districts.

Leeds City Council has granted planning permission for the scheme, which is being executed by Caddick Developments.

Plans include the construction of six, multi-storey buildings which will include high quality offices, leisure facilities, residential accommodation and a 500-space public car park.

Quarry Hill is already home to Leeds College of Music; West Yorkshire Playhouse; BBC North; the Northern Ballet Company and the Department for Work and Pensions and shortly the Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance.

Caddick Developments hopes to link all the buildings via a series of landscaped public squares, piazzas and gardens, incorporating several split-level walkways.

Peter Holley, of Caddick Developments, said: "This scheme i s one of the most unique and adventurous that Leeds has ever seen.

"To say it will breathe new life into Quarry Hill is an under statement.

"It will position the cultural quarter as a truly sustainable mixed use quarter, with all of the leisure facilities to create a 24-hour community.

"In addition, the thriving commercial and cultural centre will attract significant inward investment to the city. "

The architects appointed on the scheme are Leeds-based DLG and the agents are Knight Frank.

25 August 2005

Caddick have their own website - but no more on it yet about this than the YP report.

It may well be that we will see starts on both this Quarry Hill scheme and at the opposite end of town, Mayfair, before the year is out.

Oh dear! From tonight's YEP:

Dance Centre £3m Cash Crisis By Geoff Fox

A MULTI-MILLION pound development in the heart of Leeds has been thrown into jeopardy because of rocketing construction costs. Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance face a race against time to raise an additional £3m in funding for a £22m project to build dance studios and a performance venue in Quarry Hill. The spiralling cost of construction means the £7m they have already raised will count for nothing.

The shortfall has been taken as the clearest indication yet that Leeds' booming construction industry is on the brink of overheating. "I am seriously concerned about the future of this project," said Northern Ballet's chief executive Mark Skipper. "Leeds has taken off to such an extent that the construction industry has totally overheated the market. It has got to the point where I don't know if our building will go ahead." Work is due to start next March on the new headquarters for the two companies and would become the biggest centre for dance in the United Kingdom outside London. The project, which is likely to be handled by Taylor Woodrow Construction, will also see the building of several apartments.

Leeds City Council has donated the land, which is currently the West Yorkshire Playhouse car park, while the Arts Council has pumped £3m of lottery cash into the project. But Mr Skipper claims the entire project is doomed to fail unless the extra £3m is raised by the end of September. "We are several million short. This has been in the pipeline for five years. But inflation rates in the construction industry in Leeds are running at between 12 and 14 per cent which means the £3m we originally raised from the Arts Council has been eroded."

The ambitious project forms a significant portion of a much larger scheme to transform Quarry Hill into a 'culture quarter'. Its failure to get off the ground would represent a significant blow to the city's plans. "This is extremely concerning," added Mr Skipper. "I really don't know what the chances are of this coming off. Every day there is a slight delay, the costs increase." A spokeswoman for Taylor Woodrow said they were unaware of the cash crisis, claiming that as far as they were concerned, the project was still at the tendering stage.

Ron Wilson, regional director of the Federation of Master Builders, admitted labour costs had risen 25 per cent in Leeds in the past three years, but he insisted the city had never had it so good. "I sympathise, but if you've got the funding, get the job done," said Mr Wilson. "That funding will not get you the same job done further down the line. Leeds is well ahead of the game. We should sit back and be proud of what we've got. If they (Northern Ballet) had got it done for £7m three years ago, what would it be worth now?"

The plot thickens...... this weeks Construction News reports that the contract for building the Northern Ballet Theatre has been awarded to Ayr based Barr Construction. They apparently beat Shepherd and Laing O'Rourke for the project and can build to budget. It all seems a bit confusing and no news as to when the contract will be signed or when construction will begin, but hopefully we won't see any further mishaps and this will finally get going.

this corroborates Aviator's post above which quotes Taylor Woodrow (who are the developers behind the scheme) saying that they were not aware of a cash crisis and the project was still at tendering stage. Seems that this is complete and Barr and the chosen ones. Marvellous.

The plot thickens...... this weeks Construction News reports that the contract for building the Northern Ballet Theatre has been awarded to Ayr based Barr Construction. They apparently beat Shepherd and Laing O'Rourke for the project and can build to budget. It all seems a bit confusing and no news as to when the contract will be signed or when construction will begin, but hopefully we won't see any further mishaps and this'ill finally get going.

this corroborates Aviator's post above which quotes Taylor Woodrow (who are the developers behind the scheme) saying that they were not aware of a cash crisis and the project was still at tendering stage. Seems that this is complete and Barr and the chosen ones. Marvellous.

Good news. Barr are no strangers to Leeds and were contractors for the Whitehall block of flats.

Barr are also responsible for the shoddy job at Concord Street and Lovell House.

Barr are also responsible for the shoddy job at Concord Street and Lovell House.


Blame that on the developers and architects and not the building contractors.. How anyone would want to live in those Concord Street flats I just don't know. Walking down that narrow street will give one a sense of claustrophobia and anyone living in them will have to keep curtains drawn all day to prevent peeping toms.

Blame that on the developers and architects and not the building contractors.. How anyone would want to live in those Concord Street flats I just don't know. Walking down that narrow street will give one a sense of claustrophobia and anyone living in them will have to keep curtains drawn all day to prevent peeping toms.
I disagree - i kinda like the proximity. It has a very European feel to it. I lived in Brussels and lots of the flats in the central part of Brussels are on narrow cobbled streets. It's community man, community.

Strewth! You might get to know your neighbour. Now there's a thing these days...

I like the proximity too, and the cobbled streets.

I like the proximity too, and the cobbled streets.

Good luck to you mate (and magicrealist). To each his own ! BTW, will Concord Street be cobbled ?

Good luck to you mate (and magicrealist). To each his own ! BTW, will Concord Street be cobbled ?
I doubt it. Mores the point: will it be pedestrianised? It surely must be...

I doubt it. Mores the point: will it be pedestrianised? It surely must be...

And if not....? :)

I've not heard much news about this development for a while? I was looking at the DLG website, it has been updated a bit since I last looked. Anyway to cut a short story even shorter, I nabbed this from a PDF.

I'm liking the trees and not much else.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/davidlufc/37d4a565.jpg

Nothing new and no innovation in the design but i welcome any new apartments. anything to flood supply to reign in excessive house price rises. i do however like the way the scheme frames the Kremlin, possibly even softens its hulkingness and as Dave says a tree or two is more than welcome in the city centre

A couple more pics to add:

http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_04.jpg


http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_05.jpg

I think the planning committee required the developers to increase the amount of open space on the site. They also agreed to incorporate a multi-storey car park to address the concerns raised by the Playhouse (among others).

What is it with developers wanting coloured balconies!?!?!?!?!?!?! (see left of Perspective banner)

They will date faster than you can say 'tanktop', and are definately not urban chic!

Looks like we've got a jumper..!!! Just to the right of the 't' in 'at' on the render in daveylad's post #56!!!!!.... :badnews:

It's not a bad design, but why do Leeds developers insist on filling in prime sites with unspectacular schemes? Perhaps it's unrealistic to expect anything more.

It's not a bad design, but why do Leeds developers insist on filling in prime sites with unspectacular schemes? Perhaps it's unrealistic to expect anything more.

I do think you're being unfair to Leeds developers! As far as I can see, most developers are as capable of being repetitive and unimaginative as our Leeds ones when it comes to putting together large scale commercial proposals. If you don't believe me, take a look through the residential property section of the Times on a Friday, or most of the proposals featured in Estates Gazette.

I quite like it actually, bit like Clarence Dock in style... I don't know why everyone hates Quarry House, I like the way it's big and dominating; it is already framed as it is as it is directly opposite The Headrow. I do think Eastgate (or Eastgate Circus as I've heard in the past) would be a good place for a striking piece of public artwork, but what would be an idea for a striking building? There aren't that many of them around in any city, maybe because everyone's view on it would be different. I would like to see this developed as an extension of the City Centre, but at the same time see some of the open area there is preserved. If the markets area was better organised there could be a park there.

I don't know why everyone hates Quarry House, I like th.e way it's big and dominating;


Well I hate Quarry House and have done since it was built 14-15 years ago. It is big and dominating and lacks any finesse or refinement. It was described by a professional journal as "An architectural disaster which should never be allowed to happen again". The Leeds public referred to it as 'The Kremlin ' - though that actually insulted the real Kremlin. Of course, what they were really referring to was its graceless Soviet era style design. Ugh !

A bit of bad news in Saturday's Estates Gazette. Metropolitan & District, the parent company of MetroHolst, has gone into administration. MetroHolst are the developers behind the mixed use development of hotel, offices, flats, etc on Quarry Hill.


http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/Qhillhotlge.jpg


According to the article, the Eagle Centre (as the development was to be called - was anyone aware of this?) failed to attract any occupiers. This is hardly surprising since it's been virtually invisible since the planning applications went in a couple of years ago.

Leeds City Council were reported to be unaware of any change in the developer's status. This development is not the same as the Caddick one which is proposed to occupy most of the space on Quarry Hill. The MetroHolst one would have been o the northern edge, running alongside Eastgate.

According to the article, the Eagle Centre (as the development was to be called - was anyone aware of this?) failed to attract any occupiers. This is hardly surprising since it's been virtually invisible since the planning applications went in a couple of years ago.

It doesn't surprise me either since the only information about the scheme seemed consist of poorly designed billboard posters positioned directly outside the site - hardly going to attract national investment.

I still don't know if the casino development was part of the scheme or not, I think the Eagle centre was supposed to be behind.

http://www.leeds-cityscape.co.uk/Qhillhotlge.jpg

Any chance of a concert hall in its place?

I still don't know if the casino development was part of the scheme or not, I think the Eagle centre was supposed to be behind.

Sorry, my mistake, didn't see the photo.
A bit of bugger as that design had flair.

Some old images with a couple of new additions.


http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_01.jpg



http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_04.jpg



http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_02.jpg



http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_03.jpg



http://www.dlgarchitects.com/images/project/project_0022_05.jpg

What's with all the coloured detail shite - That end of Leeds will end up looking like Playschool!

And WTF is with the last render - why the hell is there a guy stood there with a suit carrier!!!??? In a purple shirt too!?!?

What's with all the coloured detail shite - That end of Leeds will end up looking like Playschool!

And WTF is with the last render - why the hell is there a guy stood there with a suit carrier!!!??? In a purple shirt too!?!?
It certainly wasn't me! Who's the architect and Developer?

Who's the architect and Developer?

DLG Architects & Caddick/ Bryant Homes/Hill Woodhouse

What's with all the coloured detail shite - That end of Leeds will end up looking like Playschool!

And WTF is with the last render - why the hell is there a guy stood there with a suit carrier!!!??? In a purple shirt too!?!?

whey hey! That made me guffaw at work this afternoon. They look like waxworks. I don't think the scheme is really that bad, blocks Quarry House out, has the now atypical wooden cladding and a bit of jaunty angled glass malarky. That does it for me.

Well, this thread has been quiet for months now but it seems, I say it seems, as though there's life in the old dog yet. Whizzing past the Playhouse this evening, I saw that the huge raised shrubbery to the right of the theatre proper and in front of the workshops was completely shut off by fencing all advertising the services of K Rowse Ltd, civil engineers.

Now it may be that they were digging up the rose bushes just to install some new piping for the city centre sewers. But the eternal optimist in me hoped that it might be the start of the residential blocks proposed to rise over the workshops.


http://www.brewsterbye.co.uk/images/playhouse2.jpg


I'll try to wander down there tomorrow to see what's what.

excuse my childish impatience, but Caddick Developments and Metroholst can join Hermes/MEPC (Wellington Place) in the current list of 'all mouth and no trousers' developers. Oh, add Jan Fletcher and City 1 which was launched in the Sunday Times over 3 yrs ago and hasn't really been heard of since.

that Lego brick apartment scheme is not likely to float many people's boats, and I think I might be correct in sensing a Plaza moment of 'my god, what the hell is that'!

Thanks for the update though aviator - I was optimistically hoping they had broken ground on one of the bigger Quarry Hill schemes.

So just what is the reason that the reconstruction of Quarry Hill is taking such an unbelievably long time then as there have been plans to fully revitalise this area since the 1980s. Is it because of Eastgate being as yet undeveloped leaving a gap between here and the city core, bickering between developers, a lack of interest on this site for some reason or is there any other reason why this void in Leeds continues to exist.

As for planned developments on this site though they should certainly aim for quality as opposed to random stuff that could be located anywhere and perhaps with this site being on raised land they could build a centre piece skyscraper on this site with surrounding tourist and cultural attractions (isn't Quarry Hill supposed to be the cultural quarter even though all there is is West Yorks Playhouse, BBC Yorkshire and Leeds College of Music). Couldn't they place an arena on this site perhaps or maybe add more museums, galleries, art cinemas, theatres etc to cement rightfully that this is a cultural quarter.

Hopefully this area should be different by the time Eastgate is constructed and this could act as an eastward extension of that scheme but I wish there would be something more concrete with regards to the construction process.

but Caddick Developments and Metroholst can join Hermes/MEPC (Wellington Place) in the current list of 'all mouth and no trousers' developers. Oh, add Jan Fletcher and City 1 which was launched in the Sunday Times over 3 yrs ago and hasn't really been heard of since.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

(Sorry Jan, but let us see some progress with your teasing gateway proposal)

The last post in the City One thread seemed to suggest that they had applied for planning permission (from Construction News), but I cant find any evidence of a planning application and the whole thing seems silent......

Quarry Hill's been deader than a dodo for yonks now but there's been a bit of earth being dug over the last week or two and a couple of those cabins for storing tools have appeared at the bottom end of the car park. In addition, there's a sign by the ticket machines to say that the new parking charges being introduced in March are to take account of the development taking place.

Now, I can't remember what the situation is with planning permissions for the different proposals here, and I haven't heard anything to say work is about to start so I don't know what's going on. Does anybody out there know anything?

From Caddick Developments Web site (http://www.caddickdevelopments.co.uk/news.aspx):

LEEDS CITY CENTRE MIXED USE SCHEME TO TRANSFORM QUARRY HILL AREA
21 September 2006
An 8.1-acre £100 million mixed use development that will help to complete the Eastern sector of the Leeds City Centre regeneration jigsaw has received formal planning consent from Leeds City Council.

Plans for the scheme by Caddick Developments will position the Quarry Hill area of the city, once the site of Europe’s biggest social housing scheme, as one of the North’s most prestigious cultural destinations, and one of the city’s most prominent business and residential districts.

Specifically, plans include the development of six multi-storey buildings which will include high quality offices, leisure, residential accommodation, a 500 public space car parking and other ancillary uses.

Quarry Hill is already home to Leeds College of Music; West Yorkshire Playhouse; BBC North; the Department for Work and Pensions and shortly the Northern Ballet & Phoenix Dance.

Caddick developments’ plans will effectively link these recently constructed buildings via a series of creatively landscaped public squares, piazzas and gardens, incorporating several intricately designed split-level walkways. The architects appointed on the scheme are Leeds-based DLG. The planning consultants are Knight Frank and the appointed agents are Hill Woolhouse.

Peter Holley of Caddick Developments comments: “This scheme is one of the most unique and adventurous that Leeds has ever seen. To say it will breathe new life into Quarry Hill is an under statement. It will position Quarry Hill as a truly sustainable mixed use quarter, with all of the leisure facilities to create a 24 hour community. In addition, the thriving commercial and cultural centre will attract significant inward investment to the city. “

http://www.caddickdevelopments.co.uk/images/upload_area/client_images/landscpe_Quarry%20Hill%20CGI.jpg

I hope those ground floor units will be lively retail units, extending on from The Headrow and Eastgate/Harewood Qtr. On that note, I think for marketing purposes at least, The Headrow should be used as the name right along Westgate, The Headrow, Eastgate and up onto Quarry Hill.

I hope those ground floor units will be lively retail units, extending on from The Headrow and Eastgate/Harewood Qtr. On that note, I think for marketing purposes at least, The Headrow should be used as the name right along Westgate, The Headrow, Eastgate and up onto Quarry Hill.

That would be fine as long as there would be unrestricted pedestrian access to the Quarry Hill part fomr Eastgate.

The Eastgate Qtr masterplan seems to have the magnificent mile concept planned out. They've thought about how their development ties into the wider Headrow axis. The semi-pedestrianised Eastgate and new square at the bottom around the fountain will narrow St Peters Street down to a dual carriageway here, taking away the roundabout element. It should therefore be easier to cross. Realistically, this dual carriageway must stay. The days of footbridges over roads are gone, as are subways. A good pedestrian crossing will provide the needed crossing between Eastgate and Quarry Hill.

From Caddick Developments Web site (http://www.caddickdevelopments.co.uk/news.aspx):



http://www.caddickdevelopments.co.uk/images/upload_area/client_images/landscpe_Quarry%20Hill%20CGI.jpg


Thanks for that - I should have picked up on that development. That's a nice render you've posted, by the way.

Quarry Hill's been deader than a dodo for yonks now but there's been a bit of earth being dug over the last week or two and a couple of those cabins for storing tools have appeared at the bottom end of the car park. In addition, there's a sign by the ticket machines to say that the new parking charges being introduced in March are to take account of the development taking place.

Now, I can't remember what the situation is with planning permissions for the different proposals here, and I haven't heard anything to say work is about to start so I don't know what's going on. Does anybody out there know anything?

My inner pragmatist suggests that the portakabins and digging is probably to resurface the car park space.

The Caddick scheme isn't hugely exciting (Metroholst's curve office block directly down on the main road opposite the petrol station roundabout and the bottom of Eastgate was a real quality proposal), but is certainly exciting in a sort of bland 'Gateway-esque' sense, on a fringe city site which could be vastly improved with the Northern Ballet Theatre development.

Perhaps I've been a bit harsh on Caddick. You don't simply propose and then commence development of a site that quickly. Maybe they have been discrete, and have found contractors without the need for any big publicity.

Found a description of Farrell's masterplan for Quarry Hill in
Corporate City? Partnership, Participation and partition in urban development in Leeds (Aldershot: Avebury, 1996) Graham Haughton and Colin Williams (eds.)


"Having secured the new headquarters building for Quarry Hill, the council commissioned the urban design practice of Terry Farrell to produce a masterplan for the area. This envisaged the ‘Quarry House’ headquarters as the centrepiece of the scheme, and as a landmark structure closing off the vista created by Blomfield’s 1930s redevelopment of the Headrow. The plan also put forward a ‘mixed use’, speculative development incorporating a new hotel, shopping facilities, car parking and a total of 68,000 sq metres of office space. These were all to be grouped around the front of the new government building and a series of landscaped open spaces, with the existing Playhouse sitting somewhat awkwardly to one side. Echoing the ambitions of the developers of Canary Wharf in London, the whole scheme was also conceived as ‘the new business heart of the city’."

And also

One of the largest cities in England has managed to generate few lasting images of itself in the national psyche. The feeling that Leeds is in some ways less characterful and distinctive than other major cities persists in many minds: somehow, Leeds for a long time failed to project itself, either positively or negatively, onto the national consciousness.

..

We've been round the block so many times on Quarry Hill with nothing much to show for it but, for what it's worth, another development proposal is up for discussion at the City Centre Plans Panel next Thursday (see here (http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000173/M00001089/$$ADocPackPublic.pdf) for details). Briefly, this is a replacement for the Metroholst plans which were put on ice when the developer went bust. So it's a hotel (or rather 2 hotels), serviced apartments, casino, nightclub and car parking in 4 - 14 storey buildings set on that part of Quarry Hill which fronts Eastgate.

All of a sudden, quite a few resurrected projects this week with news about City Square house and even Criterion.

Another snippet on Quarry Hill, or at least the Eastgate end of the site. The developers (as yet unnamed) made a presentation to the City Centre Plans Panel in April. Since then they have been in discussion with officers to pick up on the comments member of the Panel had made, and now they're back again.

Next week's Panel meeting will have another presentation, summarised below:

The Proposal:

The details of the proposed scheme will be presented to Members but, as previously stated, these have developed considerably since the first presentation. The overall mass, form and height of the building remain largely unaltered with the lower element fronting the roundabout and rising up the hill to the east through a series of steps and in a curved form to the road frontage.

The building now sits on an almost continuous plinth which helps to cope with the levels changes across the site. It also helps to tie the 3 separate use elements of the building at the upper levels together. The elevational treatment of the podium uses a random horizontally striated pattern of solid to void with greater transparency included on the prominent corner to the Eastgate roundabout. It is considered that this would be particularly effective at night when the illumination of the horizontal slots would be dramatic.

The building is to be constructed of high quality materials with the use of stone and glass.

The scheme now contains both a high quality and a budget hotel in addition to serviced apartments. The casino remains but there is now also a nightclub in the lower floors of the building. The car park remains in the basement, accessed from the same place as the approved scheme. An additional service access is proposed to be created on the Eastgate frontage.

Given that this development will follow the line of Eastgate almost to the Inner Ring Road, I wonder if they're in discussions with Hammerson about their development, especially given that the new John Lewis will be directly across the road.

Given that this development will follow the line of Eastgate almost to the Inner Ring Road, I wonder if they're in discussions with Hammerson about their development, especially given that the new John Lewis will be directly across the road.

They are - they've both agreed a joint approach to services diversions etc to make sure that the two schemes dont clash. Providing the application is approved (not sure it it has actually gone in yet!) they're going to start enabling works / digging the basement in October so that they can finish highways works before a November moratorium on highways works. By all accounts it is a chuffing large hole.

They are - they've both agreed a joint approach to services diversions etc to make sure that the two schemes dont clash. Providing the application is approved (not sure it it has actually gone in yet!) they're going to start enabling works / digging the basement in October so that they can finish highways works before a November moratorium on highways works. By all accounts it is a chuffing large hole.

seems like someone here knows what's going on...... ! So presumably Metroholst are not involved (I think they were a subsidiary of the larger construction / infrastructure contractor Norwest Holst, but I don't think Norwest has gone bust). If so, then who has taken over the site, which whilst dormant, is still fairly important, and as correctly identified, has taken on an increased profile with the Harewood / Eastgate propositions gradually starting to take route.

The suggestion of a start on site in Oct is very encouraging, but I don't think we've seen a formal proposal submitted just yet?

The suggestion of a start on site in Oct is very encouraging, but I don't think we've seen a formal proposal submitted just yet?

That's the problem. They've got an existing planning consent which they inherited that they need to amend. I think they want to add another hotel.As I understand it, the plan is to get the revisions submitted now and through the system by October, otherwise they won't be able to start until next year. And from what I can tell, they do want to start.

Let's just hope Caddick doesn't slow everything down.

That's the problem. They've got an existing planning consent which they inherited that they need to amend. I think they want to add another hotel.As I understand it, the plan is to get the revisions submitted now and through the system by October, otherwise they won't be able to start until next year. And from what I can tell, they do want to start.

Let's just hope Caddick doesn't slow everything down.

why would Caddick have influence or an objection? They have a separate site on the top part of Quarry Hill, and surely can't do anything to block a scheme that was actually proposed before Caddick took over their site and submitted their own planning docs?

Who are 'they' by the way?

There's still quite a bit of integration between the two sites - they do need to work together.

As I understand it, "they" are a hotel operator.

There's still quite a bit of integration between the two sites - they do need to work together.

As I understand it, "they" are a hotel operator.

fair do's - this is a bit of a bonus as the lack of progress on this scheme (since we first became aware of it probably 3 years ago), and the gradually peeling adverts on the big advertising boards on the sites led me to think it was dead in the water.

another hotel, good lord - do we need so many?

thanks for your information. appreciated.

another hotel, good lord - do we need so many?


I seem to remember the brief for Quarry Hill (either Metroholst or DLA) included a 5* hotel as part of the scheme.

another hotel, good lord - do we need so many?


Well, the hoteliers already in Leeds don't seem to think we need more - not unless Leeds has more attractions to woo vistors to the city.

I seem to remember the brief for Quarry Hill (either Metroholst or DLA) included a 5* hotel as part of the scheme.

Done a bit more digging. The new owner is called Kailash Trust. No, I've never heard of them either but they smell of family trust money. Kailash bought all of MetroHolst's property when the former went bust (including the Riverlights scheme in Derby which I used to work near seven years ago - thought that had alweady been built).

Rumour is they now want two hotels on site (as well as casino etc etc). these would be a four star and a budget operation,so unfortunately no five star hotel for Quarry Hill.

That's all I've got.

Well, the hoteliers already in Leeds don't seem to think we need more - not unless Leeds has more attractions to woo vistors to the city.

But perhaps they aren't the most reliable source

But perhaps they aren't the most reliable source

Why not? They are the only ones who know whether their rooms are being easily filled or not.

And they are the only ones with anything to lose if a new hotel opens.

I'm sure prospective hotel operators do their research too. These big companies like City Inns, who are spending millions opening new hotels in Leeds, must be confident the market can sustain them

And they are the only ones with anything to lose if a new hotel opens.

I'm sure prospective hotel operators do their research too. These big companies like City Inns, who are spending millions opening new hotels in Leeds, must be confident the market can sustain them

Definitely. As I've said before, developers don't plan in order to wind up thread-posters, or even to glorify or change the Leeds townscape. They do it because they think there's money to be made. That's capitalism, like it or not. Sometimes there will be failures, commercially or architecturally. Look at US cities. What really matters is that there is an economic dynamism in Leeds which is hard to parallel. You'd all be really worried if there were no proposals, dreams and ideas being mooted.:)

Definitely. As I've said before, developers don't plan in order to wind up thread-posters, or even to glorify or change the Leeds townscape. They do it because they think there's money to be made. That's capitalism, like it or not. Sometimes there will be failures, commercially or architecturally. Look at US cities. What really matters is that there is an economic dynamism in Leeds which is hard to parallel. Yo- ther are objective figures that have been quotedu'd all be really worried if there were no proposals, dreams and ideas being mooted.:)


Point taken, but I don't just rely on what the hoteliers say -there are objective statistics that have been quoted about total room occupancy rates and, if I remember rightly, Leeds hasn't done too well recently even compared say to Sheffield.

Figures and statistics do tend to get twisted. Success rates are based on rate of room occupancy and average room prices. Leeds has a much bigger market (ie no. of rooms) than Sheffield, so a couple of percentage lower occupancy rate can still be far more hotel customers as a whole, so there's plenty of market for new hotels to compete for these customers. Also there needs to be some empty rooms on average to allow for peaks and surges (such as for Bollywood, large national court cases, Leeds festival, and other major events).

Figures and statistics do tend to get twisted. Success rates are based on rate of room occupancy and average room prices. Leeds has a much bigger market (ie no. of rooms) than Sheffield, so a couple of percentage lower occupancy rate can still be far more hotel customers as a whole, so there's plenty of market for new hotels to compete for these customers. Also there needs to be some empty rooms on average to allow for peaks and surges (such as for Bollywood, large national court cases, Leeds festival, and other major events).

I don't want to get embroiled in an argument about this. Of course I know that there are other factors involved that impact on the level of room occupancy - including the total number of hotel rooms available. What I think the hoteliers are saying is that to help fill those rooms, and the many that will come onstream in the next few years, more events and facilities etc need to be in place to attract more people to Leeds. An increase in business activity that will surely take place will obviously help but, self interest on their part or not, we can surely agree with their desire to see more attractions in Leeds.

I don't want to get embroiled in an argument about this. Of course I know that there are other factors involved that impact on the level of room occupancy - including the total number of hotel rooms available. What I think the hoteliers are saying is that to help fill those rooms, and the many that will come onstream in the next few years, more events and facilities etc need to be in place to attract more people to Leeds. An increase in business activity that will surely take place will obviously help but, self interest on their part or not, we can surely agree with their desire to see more attractions in Leeds.

I'd be inclined to agree with your argument there, Fred. What's the point in building more rooms when there's no more people likely to come as there's not really that much to see. The only plus side I can see in the spare capacity is that when/if an arena and other attractions are built we'll have the infrastructure in place already so there wont be a huge delay there, which in turn would put people off coming to see those new attractions.

Subliving.

I'd be inclined to agree with your argument there, Fred. What's the point in building more rooms when there's no more people likely to come as there's not really that much to see. The only plus side I can see in the spare capacity is that when/if an arena and other attractions are built we'll have the infrastructure in place already so there wont be a huge delay there, which in turn would put people off coming to see those new attractions.

Subliving.


Not sure I can entirely agree with you there, old sport. While room yields in Leeds hotels have underperformed in comparison with other cities, at least part of the reason has to do with the massive expansion in this sector over the last decade. Acccording to the City Centre Audit, the number of available hotel rooms has more than doubled from 1386 in 1998 to 3140 in 2005. Now, I have no idea how that rate of expansion compares with that in other major cities but you must admit that there must have been a huge unfulfilled demand to have convinced hoteliers to add 1800 bedrooms in the city in only seven years.

I also think you're slightly off the mark when you link an increase in hotel accommodation to the city's tourism market. The real driver for the expansion in Leeds' hotel scene is the number of busines visits being made which is why many of the hotels offer lower rates at the weekend than during the week. It's for the same reason that many places have entire floors given over to meeting and conference rooms.

Not sure I can entirely agree with you there, old sport. While room yields in Leeds hotels have underperformed in comparison with other cities, at least part of the reason has to do with the massive expansion in this sector over the last decade. Acccording to the City Centre Audit, the number of available hotel rooms has more than doubled from 1386 in 1998 to 3140 in 2005. Now, I have no idea how that rate of expansion compares with that in other major cities but you must admit that there must have been a huge unfulfilled demand to have convinced hoteliers to add 1800 bedrooms in the city in only seven years.

I also think you're slightly off the mark when you link an increase in hotel accommodation to the city's tourism market. The real driver for the expansion in Leeds' hotel scene is the number of busines visits being made which is why many of the hotels offer lower rates at the weekend than during the week. It's for the same reason that many places have entire floors given over to meeting and conference rooms.

I'll concede to your opinion there, on reflection I think you're probably right about the business visiting. However I still stick with it being a positive factor that we have the spare capacity when the tourist figures are up with arena etc.

Subliving.

However I still stick with it being a positive factor that we have the spare capacity when the tourist figures are up with arena etc.

Subliving.


True, true.

I also think the new conference centre at the Armouries will have an impact once it's up and running later this month. At 27,000 sq ft, it will be able to accommodate more than 1000 conference delegates and is the largest conference venue in the city.

I can see the interest in other hotels adding into the market. I think we've established that there is a big market (mostly business driven), and even though there are a number of empty rooms, other hotel operaters will want to tap into that large market and compete with existing operators for the business. That increase in competition should increase quality, and the best hotels will do well and get the profitable lion's share of the business.

I also agree Fred, that we need to grow the city attractions; hotels are just one peice of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up a succesful city.

Now, I have no idea how that rate of expansion compares with that in other major cities but you must admit that there must have been a huge unfulfilled demand to have convinced hoteliers to add 1800 bedrooms in the city in only seven years.


You miss the point the hoteliers are making. Obviously, according to them and their comparatively low room occupancy rates, this 'huge unfulfilled demand' has been more than met - yet there are more and more hotels springing up and/or on the stocks. Still, business will grow and this new conference centre should help in the immediate future. An arena would help as well.
However, there is still no 5 star hotel in the city centre - I wonder if that is some sort of reflection on the real state of things ?

It could be difficult to get a five star hotel in the city centre, as star rating is based on facilities (rather than luxury level as is commonly believed). I'm not sure what you need for 5 stars, but it's certainly into swimming pools etc, possibly even a golf course. Does anyone know the actual requirements?

It could be difficult to get a five star hotel in the city centre, as star rating is based on facilities (rather than luxury level as is commonly believed). I'm not sure what you need for 5 stars, but it's certainly into swimming pools etc, possibly even a golf course. Does anyone know the actual requirements?

According to the AA at the following link it is as follows the requirement to attain 5 star status http://www.theaa.com/travel/accommodation_restaurants_grading.html:

Impeccably dressed staff provide attentive and unobtrusive service. All bedrooms will have an en suite bathroom with a bath and thermostatically controlled shower. Meals are cooked and presented to an excellent standard using high quality ingredients.

Surely there is no need for stuff such as golf courses especially as there are loads of 5 star hotels in London and of course there is the Lowry Hotel in Manchester that is 5 star. As I have said before though surely there is some room to upgrade an older especially classic style hotel such as the Queens, Quebecs or Metropole to 5 star status as opposed to creating a brand new hotel.

Also regarding the hotels at Quarry Hill perhaps couldn't they construct a new conferencing centre here to cater for such hotels especially as there is the room for such a thing and there is also the future Eastgate close by to cater for such hotels.

You miss the point the hoteliers are making. Obviously, according to them and their comparatively low room occupancy rates, this 'huge unfulfilled demand' has been more than met - yet there are more and more hotels springing up and/or on the stocks.

No, Fred, I don't miss their point - I just don't necessarily agree with it.

The hoteliers of Leeds are in the same competitive market as other retailers and they're prone to demonstrating the same protectionist attitudes as those other sectors. Until the licensing laws changed (and I don't know how things operate now), it was accepted practice that established licensees objected every time an application was lodged for a new licence. And the invariable reason given was that there was already sufficient provision in the area.

Sound familiar?

No, Fred, I don't miss their point - I just don't necessarily agree with it.

The hoteliers of Leeds are in the same competitive market as other retailers and they're prone to demonstrating the same protectionist attitudes as those other sectors. Until the licensing laws changed (and I don't know how things operate now), it was accepted practice that established licensees objected every time an application was lodged for a new licence. And the invariable reason given was that there was already sufficient provision in the area.

Sound familiar?

Of course it has all been heard before. However, as I said, low occupancy rates in Leeds support their argument. Let's hope that these will improve.

Even the phrase low occupancy rate is mis-leading, they were around 65% in 2006. At the same time, they were 67% in York and 72% for Sheffield (but Sheffields based on a much lower total number of rooms).

65% of 4 or 5000 rooms in Leeds is a big market to play with and compete for, so I can see why new operators want to come in to have a go to compete for that market.

New large hotels proposed are Quarry Hill, Granary Wharf, Kenmore's Bridge House, and eventually Criterion Place.

I think Leeds will expand enough to attract more visitors in the near future;
This month we have a refurbished Art Gallery opening, then in six months Clarence Dock should be becoming a major attraction with its Museum, High class shopping, Casino and conference centre. Six months after that the new City museum will open in Millennium Square, then six months after that Granery Wharf should be taking shape, then we will have Lumiere as a highly visible landmark and the Winter Gardens as a visitor attraction.

By this time there should be some more cultural facilities at Wellington Place and Tower Works as well as Harewood/Eastwood quarter offering much improved shopping facilities and world class architecture.

On top of all this are the increasing amount of office space which is being built and expanded University buildings, which should attract a lot more business travelers and then possibly an Arena.

On top of all this are the increasing amount of office space which is being built and expanded University buildings, which should attract a lot more business travelers and then possibly an Arena.

There's something like 3 million square feet of new office development in the pipeline for the Whitehall Riverside area with TCS / MEPC etc etc. That's 15,00 - 20,000 new jobs and a lot of new business travellers - easily enough to support a couple of new hotels to cater for the trade. All Leeds really needs now for the business traveller are a few more decent city restaurants and trendy wine bars.

There's something like 3 million square feet of new office development in the pipeline for the Whitehall Riverside area with TCS / MEPC etc etc. That's 15,00 - 20,000 new jobs and a lot of new business travellers - easily enough to support a couple of new hotels to cater for the trade. All Leeds really needs now for the business traveller are a few more decent city restaurants and trendy wine bars.

I agree with this assessment - though all will depend on the continuance of the benign general economy.
It seems to me that the Leeds hoteliers who are complaining are just narrowly looking at the present situation, with comparatively low room occupation, and not considering future growth.
As to your last point, 5th Elevation, there is a world class restauranter taking over the premises of the defunct Leodis, and there will be more to meet growing demand.

As to your last point, 5th Elevation, there is a world class restauranter taking over the premises of the defunct Leodis, and there will be more to meet growing demand.

I know, stomach is already looking forward to it!:eat:

Sorry, I don't have the technical interweb ability to check Leeds City Council's website, but I understand that a new planning application for the hotel element (i.e. non Caddick bit) of Quarry Hill was submitted this week. No doubt there are forummers who do have the requisitie skills to do the digging.

Sorry, I don't have the technical interweb ability to check Leeds City Council's website, but I understand that a new planning application for the hotel element (i.e. non Caddick bit) of Quarry Hill was submitted this week. No doubt there are forummers who do have the requisitie skills to do the digging.

I'm not sure about the planning application - there's nothing in the appliacations list that was published this morning but it may be that this one came in too late to be included in this week's batch. In any case, the timescales seem right given that the developers have now made two presentations to the City Centre Plans Panel (at its meetings in April and June) ahead of the application being submitted.

I've got a PDF file with all of the new CGIs for this - can anyone tell me how to upload the file to the interweb?

I've got a PDF file with all of the new CGIs for this - can anyone tell me how to upload the file to the interweb?

If you could put the .pdf somewhere on the web, I could extract all the images and post them on here. Is it available on line anywhere or can it be e-mailed?

Thanks for those 5th Elevation, brilliant images I'd say ...

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill1.jpg?t=1185190764

Aerial view of Eastgate, from the North West
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http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill2.jpg?t=1185190803

Aerial view of Playhouse Square, from the south-east
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http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill3.jpg?t=1185190833

Aerial view, from the south-west


All courtesy of Fairhursts Design Group, dated June 2007.

..

is this scheme been submitted for planning soon then quarry hill has been so empty for too long IMO...

look class does this proposal will really give a big city feel to this end of town

..

I like this alot. Hope it gets built soon!

Thanks for those 5th Elevation, brilliant images I'd say ...

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill1.jpg?t=1185190764

Aerial view of Eastgate, from the North West
.
.
.


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill2.jpg?t=1185190803

Aerial view of Playhouse Square, from the south-east
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.
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http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill3.jpg?t=1185190833

Aerial view, from the south-west


All courtesy of Fairhursts Design Group, dated June 2007.

FANTASTIC. Just imagine what this part of town will look like with this, Eastgate Quarters, and an Ian Simpson Tower. 5 years from now, driving down York Road onto the IRR will be quite spectacular.

Looks the business. So what will this development comprise of and is there a timeframe of this development which I so hope would be soon to finally see some more substantial development at Quarry Hill. Also what is the architect and who will be and finally doesn't the profile of the development look slightly similar to the old Quarry Hill flats.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/288754258_6a55fef159.jpg?v=0

Nice to add some bulk to the otherwise stand alone NHS building - though we're losing ALL of the green space there it seems...

Yes thats a shame, but its prime land and does need developing really. Green space should have gone somewhere else. Dortmund Square for (some) green space I say or grounds of the 3 city centre churches/outdoor markets.

5th Elevation, you and Rob have done a splendid job digging out these renders and getting them posted. If the buildings go up as envisaged in these pics, this end of town will get a real boost. Added to this is the fact that the new John Lewis will be directly across the road (where the houses are in the first render) and things are looking quite promising there in terms of the quality of the architecture.

The developers are obviously not letting the grasss grow beneath their feet as there's a planning application in this week for some enabling work and excavations for the first phase of the development.

The developers are obviously not letting the grasss grow beneath their feet as there's a planning application in this week for some enabling work and excavations for the first phase of the development.

Well, it has been a long time !

Love this sign that still stands at the bottom of the path upto the Playhouse. (click to enlarge)

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/8361/dsc00700ja3.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00700ja3.jpg)

Shows the original masterplan for the area, due to be completed in 1994!

Nice find although just shows the insane long time it has taken to develop Quarry Hill which should have been completed years ago (although I guess factors such as investor confidence, red tape and proceeding with such a development as opposed to leaving it as a plan would play a role).

Has there been any renders for this hotel and I presume it would have been of the early 1990s Leeds Look style and why was it cancelled? Still at least with the new plans and the nearby Eastgate development as a catalyst hopefully the reconstruction of Quarry Hill would finally be completed as it has been a bare plot for far too long for nearly 30 years on some parts of the site!.

the new scheme looks great, and about time too. Lets hope this one gets off the drawing board and actually on to site. Its a huge huge scheme on its own, and then there's the Caddick scheme to come as well. I can see the attraction of this site, when Harewood / Eastgate goes ahead, you'll have an entire new quarter for Leeds, and the potential for thousands more permanent residents.

Its almost as if the frontage has been designed to mirror the old Quarry Hill residential blocks - continuous strips of windows and cladding........

Its almost as if the frontage has been designed to mirror the old Quarry Hill residential blocks - continuous strips of windows and cladding........

That's not a good thing!

07/04522/FU/C

Leeds Property Ltd

Multi level hotel development up to 11 storeys, with, casino, nightclub,
bars/restaurants and basement car parking

Quarry Hill
Eastgate
Leeds
LS9 8AW

Fairhurst Design
Group
Bank Chambers
Faulkner Street
Manchester
M1 4EH

City & Hunslet
26/07/07

A bit of movement here (from last week's planning decisions list):

Reference
07/04137/FU/C

Applicant
Leeds Property Ltd

Description
Enabling work for phase 1
excavation for proposed hotel

Location
Quarry Hill
Eastgate
Leeds
LS2 7UP

Approved 25/09/07


Can someone tell me just what enabling work actually is?

And why is the planning permission separate to the planning permission for the hotel?

Although these sites are being brought forward by different developers and ar at different stages of the design/planning process, there are some complicated links between them which this planning permission is related to. This permission allows the developers who don't yet have planning permission to do work on their site which will allow the developers with planning permission to begin their construction (I forget exactly which way round it is), which they otherwise couldn't start.

I think things are starting to happen on site. Passed today, and fencing has been erected around the site. Looked like some cabins were on site as well. Couldn't see a great deal as it was dark, but looks like another projrect is about to commence. Leeds is buzzing with new builds.... its great to see that even with the reports of doom and gloom, the reality is very different

will this development have any office supply in it? i really hope that its not all apartments! I know there's a hotel as well, how many restaurants/ bars? Enough to make it a destination point?

Well, there's no hanging about with these guys. This was the scene yesterday.



http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/4%20October%202007/P1010151.jpg?t=1191579101



http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/4%20October%202007/P1010153.jpg?t=1191579129



http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/4%20October%202007/P1010150.jpg?t=1191579161

Wow Opal looks massive in those pics! Its good to this this development finally getting off the ground!

brilliant - this is tremendous news. So this is the start of the scheme shown by the images 5th Elevation has posted? I'm brimming with excitement by this. Look how amusingly forelorn the Caddick sign looks with the excavation underway for the (ex-Metroholst) hotel scheme right down opposite Eastgate. I never thought that this would kick off before the bigger Caddick Quarry Hill scheme, but here you go.

Shame to lose the trees and vegetation.........!

Love this sign that still stands at the bottom of the path upto the Playhouse. (click to enlarge)

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/8361/dsc00700ja3.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00700ja3.jpg)

Shows the original masterplan for the area, due to be completed in 1994!


Wow, didn't notice this before. Is this the oft-discussed, tho' never before seen (by me anyway)Terry Farrell masterplan? there's a book from Amazon USA that apparently has images of it, but it's always too expensive to buy.

So phase 1 of this has been approved? which bit is that on the renders Rob posted? :

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill1.jpg?t=1185190764


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill2.jpg?t=1185190803

where exactly will this be? I thought quarry hill was pretty much where 1 st peteres square is getting built next to the bbc HQ.

Or will this be built infront of the big DSS HQ, and will face that little roundabout with the fountain. If thats the case, all this area will look like an extension to the city centre central core when eastgate, quarry hill, st peters square, and possibley milgarth is built

This is being built infornt of the DSS building, where theyve been moving all the earth around for the last few weeks and are currently putting up wooden hoarding. So itll bulk the place out from the road but will keep all the car parks and open space behind it at the moment.

^^ I thought that Quarry Hill had two separate masterplan schemes, one with the renders above which was a Metroholst / Vinci plc development, and the second for the rest of the site (car parks and those steps that rise up from the Playhouse to the Kremlin which is part of the Caddick scheme. Quarry Hill is essentially going to be completely rebuilt over the next 5 years. The St Peters Square apartments is really just a fraction of the overall development pipeline. The Northern Ballet Theatre is also still a development project waiting to get off the ground for the carpark site directly behind the College of Music and the Wardrobe venue.

As dkeeno says, there's loads of earth moving going on as they start to prep the site. The developers have probably taken confidence from the Eastgate Quarter proposal.

Hilton Hotels will also open Hampton by Hilton hotels in Derby city centre and Quarry Hill Leeds, in a franchise agreement with Shiva Hotels.


Budget Hilton on the way, sorry if it's old news.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3099788

Sounds like a Hilton franchise which will knock the socks off the one we've already got... unless it moves into Criterion...

Actually this would make sense. Hilton aren't stupid and they aren't going to let profits of their main hotel in a major city be trumped by a franchise of their own brand.

Subliving.

Hilton Hotels will also open Hampton by Hilton hotels in Derby city centre and Quarry Hill Leeds, in a franchise agreement with Shiva Hotels.


Budget Hilton on the way, sorry if it's old news.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3099788

not at all, that's a great scoop - first another hotel, and second, clearly the impetus for the start of development of something I really wasn't expecting to happen anytime soon. It really is going to spread the city centre core further north. It's not that amazing a design, but a welcome injection of development before the Eastgate Quarter kicks off.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill2.jpg?t=1185190803

Concrete has certainly making a comeback!

not at all, that's a great scoop - first another hotel, and second, clearly the impetus for the start of development of something I really wasn't expecting to happen anytime soon. It really is going to spread the city centre core further north. It's not that amazing a design, but a welcome injection of development before the Eastgate Quarter kicks off.


And lets not forget the Simpson tower on the other side of the Inner Ring Road on Regent Street,its all beginning to fit.

Add to this Wellington Place,Latitude and GreenBank (now beginning to kick off) in the west and hopefully further regeneration in Holbeck(come on Tower Works!!) and the city centre is begiining to expand at quite some rate all at once,it seems to be bucking the pessimistic trend that appears in the press.

http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/Qhillhotlge.jpg..

http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/Qhillhotlge.jpg..

Well ive been getting all excited about the west end,but these renders are really make me sit up and take notice of Quarry Hill,and of course the adjoining Eastgate.

I think that these will knock the socks off the other big cities outside London.
Lets hope they come off!!

by the way how do you clever sods get a hold of these renders?

this whole area is gonna be completely diferent, and a new extension to the central part of the city centre core. quarry hill, 1st peteres square, the whole eastgate shopping area, the west properties tower, and the milgarth tower hopefully, and the developments up regent st next to citispace/concord st

http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/images/Qhillhotlge.jpg

Well ive been getting all excited about the west end,but these renders are really make me sit up and take notice of Quarry Hill,and of course the adjoining Eastgate.

I think that these will knock the socks off the other big cities outside London.
Lets hope they come off!!

by the way how do you clever sods get a hold of these renders?

In fact the render posted by Di Livio was of an abandoned previous scheme for part of the Quarry Hill site by a company called Metroholst which went into recievership. At least it is great stuff the new scheme appears to be starting. Is there any time frame for completion of the new development and also when the rest of the site will be developed?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/Hampton1.jpg

As for this Hampton Hotel will this be of a similar level to Travelodge / Travel Inn type places or will it be higher up of a similar stature to something like a Holiday Inn or the old Forte Post Houses that is in between budget hotels and more upmarket Hilton / Marriott type hotels? Anyway here is an article from The Times about the launch of these hotels in the UK: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article1917434.ece

Here's an interesting piece (http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000102/M00002907/AI00011001/$ChineseGatecover11dec.docA.ps.pdf) on the Chinese gate that people have mentioned a few times.

It now looks very much as though it is to be sited on Quarry Hill, with work scheduled to start next summer. The proposal is to be discussed at next week's meeting of the City Council's Executive Board. As well as giving all the background about the offer of the gate to the city and the logistics of transporting it from Hangzhou to Leeds, there's an indication of what the gate might look like.

I noticed a few other things in the report on the other developments proposed for the site. The hotel development is due to go to the Plans Panel next month for consideration, and work onsite is due to start in August 2008. In addition, the Caddick development on the rest of Quarry Hill is scheduled to start next summer with the building of a multi-storey car park.

Let's see what happens!

Sounds hopeful. But the MSCP better be at the back of the site!

Hyperlink correction: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000102/M00002907/AI00011001/$ChineseGatecover11dec.docA.ps.pdf

Good news. Lets hope we will finally see the developments to complete the regeneration of Quarry Hill albiet 20 years later than originally anticipated. Anyway how much in terms of amenities such as restaurants, pubs, shops and the like will be included in this development as with Eastgate nearby surely this location could be a potential place to go to when it is completed in several years. Will there be any large scale offices constructed as part of the completion of Quarry Hill? Finally will that Northern School of Contemporary Dance (I think thats who it is) ever start their building at Quarry Hill which I believe has been constantly being delayed due to funding shortages.

Further to the news about the proposal to erect the Chinese gate on Quarry Hill, the Executive Board approved it last Wednesday:



143 Proposed Chinese Gate of Friendship

The Head of International Relations submitted a report on a proposal that the Council accept the Gate of Friendship from Hangzhou, on the intention that it be erected on Quarry Hill as detailed in the report and at the associated costs.

RESOLVED –
(a) That the Council accepts the Gate of Friendship from Hangzhou and that it be erected on Quarry Hill as detailed in the report.
(b) That expenditure of £200,000 on the erection of the Gate, funded from Section 106 Public Realm Works within the City Centre, be authorised.


What concerns me now is how the gate will be protected from damage. The area around the front of the Playhouse is overrun with skateboarders during the summer months. In the winter, they swap their skateboards for bikes and do just as much damage. I really don't understand it - surely boys of that age should be at home searching for porn on the internet :dunno:

surely a china town gate should be near a china town? this is absurd

if they got their arse into gear they could encourage a proper china town distinct area as the existing makeshift (loosely termed) china town area will broken up with the east gate quarter. The council could encourage and coordinate all the chinese shops to move to the same area near where the gate would be erected.

I don't see why it shouldn't go at Quarry Hill. It's a good place for one, and if Quarry Hill is supposed to be the cultural quarter, then the existing Chinatown should be encouraged to move from Eastgate across to Quarry Hill where possible.

You could say the same about anything; there are skateboarders and bikes around Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens. But on the other hand, Park Row, Boar Lane, The Calls and entertainment districts have drunk people around... Wherever you put it theres gonna be problems. I don't see why people shouldn't be allowed to skateboard or bike anyway. Quarry Hill is going to change though; Im sure the redevelopment of it will drive away many of them.

I don't see why it shouldn't go at Quarry Hill. It's a good place for one, and if Quarry Hill is supposed to be the cultural quarter, then the existing Chinatown should be encouraged to move from Eastgate across to Quarry Hill where possible.

You could say the same about anything; there are skateboarders and bikes around Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens. But on the other hand, Park Row, Boar Lane, The Calls and entertainment districts have drunk people around... Wherever you put it theres gonna be problems. I don't see why people shouldn't be allowed to skateboard or bike anyway. Quarry Hill is going to change though; Im sure the redevelopment of it will drive away many of them.


What exactly is this Chinatown we've been hearing about? Wiggley was being charitable when he called it "makeshift". A handful of shops and restaurants doesn't make a Chinatown and the people who would know, the Chinese themselves, seem to agree or they'd be flocking to open other ventures there. As it is, the best Chinese restaurant (in my opinion) is Red Chilli on the corner of Great George Street and Cookridge Street, nowhere near this mythical Chinatown. Nor are the other main Chinese restaurants such as Maxi's. The latest venture is the huge supermarket and restaurant on Roseville Road.

As for allowing skateboarders and cyclists freedom of access, well it all depends what you mean. Letting people skate and cycle along the highway or pavement is fine but I take it you don't think it's a good thing that the skateboarders have wrecked the fountain outside the Playhouse or chipped away at the stonework of the flight of steps leading up to Quarry House.

The chinese shops around Templar Street.

The chinese shops around Templar Street.

Both of them?

Both of them?


:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: You're a wag :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: You're a wag :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Well for once I agree with Sir Charles.

What exactly is this Chinatown we've been hearing about? Wiggley was being charitable when he called it "makeshift". A handful of shops and restaurants doesn't make a Chinatown and the people who would know, the Chinese themselves, seem to agree or they'd be flocking to open other ventures there. As it is, the best Chinese restaurant (in my opinion) is Red Chilli on the corner of Great George Street and Cookridge Street, nowhere near this mythical Chinatown. Nor are the other main Chinese restaurants such as Maxi's. The latest venture is the huge supermarket and restaurant on Roseville Road.

As for allowing skateboarders and cyclists freedom of access, well it all depends what you mean. Letting people skate and cycle along the highway or pavement is fine but I take it you don't think it's a good thing that the skateboarders have wrecked the fountain outside the Playhouse or chipped away at the stonework of the flight of steps leading up to Quarry House.

Who are you having a go at, Leeds No 1 or Leeds City Council? The sign on the Lyons building that says Chinatown might be a good indicator as to what he was be referring to. I think we all know that our Chinatown is crap and probably doesn't deserve the name but........http://www.ukattraction.com/yorkshire/2141ISO-0.jpg

Who are you having a go at, Leeds No 1 or Leeds City Council? The sign on the Lyons building that says Chinatown might be a good indicator as to what he was be referring to. I think we all know that our Chinatown is crap and probably doesn't deserve the name but........http://www.ukattraction.com/yorkshire/2141ISO-0.jpg


.......but what? I wasn't having a go at anyone but to say that there is a Chinatown in the city centre is quite absurd so I don't quite understand the point you're making.

.......but what? I wasn't having a go at anyone but to say that there is a Chinatown in the city centre is quite absurd so I don't quite understand the point you're making.

I don't understand why you agreed with the other posts then?


"What exactly is this Chinatown we've been hearing about?"

I think I posted a picture of the building that said Chinatown. Can you not see it?

There are (or at least were) several chinese shops in the arcade, the supermarket underneath, and another at the top of the car park. If these were properly organised and grouped, it would form a good basis to grow a better Chinatown, which I'm sure would be attractive for the continually expanding trend of Chinese restaurants in Central Leeds.

..............I think I posted a picture of the building that said Chinatown. Can you not see it?


And again, I ask what your point is. Your assertion for the existence of a Chinatown is the signboard on the soon-to-be demolised Lyons building. I can paint a sign on my house, reading "Bank of England". That doesn't make it full of gold bullion!

There are (or at least were) several chinese shops in the arcade, the supermarket underneath, and another at the top of the car park. If these were properly organised and grouped, it would form a good basis to grow a better Chinatown, which I'm sure would be attractive for the continually expanding trend of Chinese restaurants in Central Leeds.

Do you know the point they were making?

And again, I ask what your point is. Your assertion for the existence of a Chinatown is the signboard on the soon-to-be demolised Lyons building. I can paint a sign on my house, reading "Bank of England". That doesn't make it full of gold bullion!


What are you on about and what point were you making then?

And again, I ask what your point is. Your assertion for the existence of a Chinatown is the signboard on the soon-to-be demolised Lyons building. I can paint a sign on my house, reading "Bank of England". That doesn't make it full of gold bullion!
At the end of the day you are saying I am making no point? Though you think I am making assertions? I've asked you what you are on about and have so far had no response.
.

What are you on about and what point were you making then?


(deep breath...........) The point I'm making is that there is no Chinatown, despite the billboard that you seem to place such faith in. Is that clear enough for you?

I don't see why Leeds should be trying to ape other cities anyway. Sure, there were half-a-dozen Chines businesses in the old area, but there were many more Chinese businesses in other parts of the city centre

We should accept the generous gift of the gate, and spend what is needed to install it somewhere (there was an appalling penny-pincher complaining to the YEP about it the other day, he seemed to think we were buying the thing) without feeling obliged to make the immediate vicinity a cheap and forced homage to the famous Chinatowns of San Fran, London etc

Chinatowns, gay pride marches, St Patrick's Day parades ... Is there a checklist that someone is working from?

And a prefabricated Chinatown in the Eastgate Qtr would be on its arse within a year anyway. IT would be the Milton Keynes of Chinatowns, forced, hollow and soulless

(deep breath...........) The point I'm making is that there is no Chinatown, despite the billboard that you seem to place such faith in. Is that clear enough for you?
Take the piss, whatever. It has been marketed as Leeds Chinatown on websites and such. You were having a go at Leeds No 1 about mentioning a Leeds Chinatown whether you admit it or not. Why did you agree with the other posts?

Although you obviously think I am a F**ktard keep up the photo updates.:cheers:

I would have though an Indiatown or Africatown (yes I know it's a continent not a country) would be far more appropriate for the Leeds demographic. Mind, we don't need it really. We have the best Indiatown in the country in the form of Bradford right on our doorstep!

Subliving.

Leeds has a large Jewish population... I don't think a "Jewtown" would be particularly good :S However an area where there are lots of Jewish shops might be interesting!

Jewtown, Hitler's idea surely... :lol:

Subliving.

I would have though an Indiatown or Africatown (yes I know it's a continent not a country) would be far more appropriate for the Leeds demographic. Mind, we don't need it really. We have the best Indiatown in the country in the form of Bradford right on our doorstep!

Subliving.

Without wanting to come across as a Leeds No.1 style hippy, I'd say the greatest testament to our diverse ethnic heritage lies in the natural proliferation of migrant businesses and edifices

Being of Irish stock, I think it'd be nice if the Irish heritage of Leeds were commemorated by more than the Irish Centre and St Pat's. But I'd hate to see York Rd become 'Irelandtown'

Leeds has a large Jewish population... I don't think a "Jewtown" would be particularly good :S However an area where there are lots of Jewish shops might be interesting!

Apparently, the Jewish population of Leeds is diminishing

But when I was a lad, Moortown was a kind of Jewishtown. My family lived nearby when I was born and my older brothers still talk about the salt beef and bagels they once got from Moortown Corner

In fact, I went on a school holiday to France as a nipper and on the saturday night before I went, my big sister gave me a 'bob'. A fine bob it was too, something Audrey Tatou would be proud of. But being a ten yr old boy destined for the romance capital of Europe, I insisted on something more masculine, a feathered short back 'n sides, such was the fashion of the day

Anyhoo, I was taken to Moortown on the sunday, for a hairy, because the jew barbers opened up on the sabbath.

And I pulled in France, a giant fat girl from the Isle of Wight let me grab her rump. Happy days

Well yes thats the thing. Don't really want to create an apartheid Leeds! I'm not a hippy lol- infact I hate hippy vans! I'd say Moortown still does have a good amount of Jewish provision; although I suppose I cant judge as a Christian =/ The thing that I've just said has made me think "does Leeds actually want an ethnic town?" It might be better to have a really multicultural city where the ethnic population and businesses are spread and integrated well.

Leeds has a large Jewish population... I don't think a "Jewtown" would be particularly good :S However an area where there are lots of Jewish shops might be interesting!

Numerous large cities have museums dedicated to Jewish life, history, culture etc...I guess funded by members of that community. But what about a museum in Leeds dedicated to immigrants from all parts of the world?

cracking idea!

Yeh its a good idea, Id like to see it happen! Im sure it would be very popular, as well as massively educational, and aiding social cohesion.

Leeds has a large Jewish population...

Less than 1% of the population of the city now, I understand.

What exactly is the status of this? Has it been approved because i drove past it today on the way to the match and noticed that there are boards around the whole site and all the earth had been dug up.

they'd found aliens

What exactly is the status of this? Has it been approved because i drove past it today on the way to the match and noticed that there are boards around the whole site and all the earth had been dug up.

I thought construction on a new hotel was due to commence mid year.

I could have sworn there was a thread for the Northern Ballet Theatre proposals for Quarry Hill but I can't see it anywhere so I'll post this here. This is an update from the NBT's website from last Friday.


NBT’s new building project gains ‘Momentum’

Good progress is being made on the development of our new home on Quarry Hill in central Leeds with Phoenix Dance Theatre. The internal layouts for the building are taking shape and our Architects, Jacobs, are currently working on the external look of the building. Early discussions with Leeds City Council Planning department have been positive and an informal presentation of the design and layout is scheduled to take place on 30 January with the Chief Planning Officer to gauge further support.

The formal OJEU Notice (basically an advertisement asking for expressions of interest to become the building Contractor) has been posted with a deadline of 13 February for expressions of interest.

At this stage we are reasonably happy that the design is within budget but our Quantity Surveyor will carry out a cost check in mid-February just to be sure.

Building work is currently scheduled to start on site in February 2009 for completion in May 2010.

The building is costing £12million and the good news is that we’ve raised £10.5million of that. We still need to raise £1.5million by the end of 2009 and to make sure we do that we are launching Momentum, our capital fundraising campaign. The fundraising launch will take place on 21 February at an event which will be attended by NBT’s Royal Patron - HRH The Earl of Wessex KG, KCVO. There will be many ways in which our supporters can contribute to the campaign including naming rights to the building, naming of the studio theatre, rehearsal studios or even seats within the theatre.

Watch this space for further updates about the new building and Momentum.

We have the best Indiatown in the country in the form of Bradford right on our doorstep!

The biggest ethnic minority group in Bradford are Pakistanis rather than Indians.

As for the 'Jewtown' concept, Leeds already has kosher delis and a Jewish primary school at Brodetsky, that's quite a significant contribution in itself i think.

Good to hear some movement on the NBT project, which has been kicking around since the beginning of the decade.

http://www.careyjones.co.uk/images/upload/arch_edu_lrg/northballett_410_02.jpg

(i actually think the Carey Jones design would have looked quite cheap compared with the impressive render above)

where abouts on Quarry Hill is this for going? Is it on the surface car park next to the College of Music and the government building?

^^ yup the little carpark site behind the College of Music and between it and Quarry House. Good news that it is getting going with the funding, but the original render di div has posted was really superior - mixed use with apartments and commercial units, but I guess they've bitten the dust if they couldn't find a viable partner.....which sort of makes sense in the current climate. Still, end of the day, great news for NBT, a nice shiny new home in the cultural quarter.

but the original render di div has posted was really superior

An unflattering typo. :lol:

An unflattering typo. :lol:

whoops, haven't intentionally called anyone a 'div' since about 1991.

Architects Journal

DLA latest victim at troubled Northern Ballet
Published: 25 October 2007 13:46 Author: Richard Waite More by this Author Last Updated: 26 October 2007 11:03
D
LA follows in the footsteps of Chipperfield and Carey Jones and leaves troubled Yorkshire scheme
DLA the latest victim at troubled Northern Ballet project


DLA Architecture has been shown the exit door from the prestigious Northern Ballet project in Leeds.

The Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT), with the Phoenix Dance Centre, has ditched Rushbond, the developer behind DLA's project, and is working on a completely new scheme with Leeds City Council.

The revelation is the latest twist in the long-running saga surrounding the design of the dance company's new home in West Yorkshire – a turbulent 10-year tale which has already seen schemes by Carey Jones and David Chipperfield sidelined.

DLA had only been on the scheme at the Quarry Hill site for a few months after being brought in last autumn as part of the developer-led team to design a replacement for Carey Jones's over-budget scheme (pictured).

Carey Jones had itself replaced Chipperfield, who had drawn up a scheme for a new base in Huddersfield.

A spokesperson for NBT said: 'We were very disappointed that it became impossible for us to continue working with Rushbond to develop a new purpose-built home for NBT and Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds.

'We are extremely grateful to Leeds City Council who have reviewed the delivery options and agreed to take responsibility for the development.'

It is understood the council's Strategic Design Alliance – a collaboration with engineer Jacobs – is reappraising the site to see how the £11.7 million scheme could be split. Part of the land will have to be sold or given to a developer to fund the scheme.DLA practice director Richard Nash said: 'Due to the involvement of the council as funder, the services of a Strategic Design Alliance architect [from within LCC] had to be engaged under their standing orders.

'We are certain the scheme will be a huge asset for Leeds and wish the project every success.'

The NBT, based in West Park, Leeds expects to move into its new home in 2010...

..

I second that.

From today's YEP:


£12m fund has a Leeds Royal launch


THE Earl of Wessex will be in Leeds on Thursday to launch a fundraising campaign for a dance centre to be be built in the city.

The Momentum campaign will help raise money for a £12m centre on Quarry Hill, the headquarters of Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre. The aim is to create a centre of excellence for dance for the North.

A partnership of Jacobs architects and Leeds City Council's in-house architects are working on plans.

Momentum will provide opportunities for individuals, companies and all supporters of classical and contemporary dance to make their contributions to the project.

So how much of this £12 million are the Northern Ballet Theatre needing to raise prior to ever seeing their long planned centre being built as it certainly is taking a long time since it was first announced several years ago? I presume they definately own the relevant plot of land at Quarry Hill?

NEW designs for a £12m dance centre in Leeds have been unveiled to mark the launch of a major fundraising campaign for the flagship project.


The new centre on Quarry Hill will provide headquarters for Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) and Phoenix Dance and confirm Leeds's national reputation as a centre of excellence for dance.

Prince Edward launched the campaign, called Momentum, during a visit to the city.

A total of £10.5m has already been secured thanks to contributions from Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Forward, Arts Council England and other donors and Momentum aims to raise the outstanding £1.5m.

The six-storey dance centre will include dance studios, a 200-seat studio theatre, a health suite, wardrobe facilities, office space, meeting rooms and a public exhibition space.

It will be the only dance centre in the UK to accommodate a contemporary dance company alongside a classical ballet company with an associated school.

Tradition

Phoenix and NBT already provide a wide range of education and community activities which they intend to expand when the centre is built.

Work is due to start in Spring 2009 with the centre opening in summer 2010.

With the launch of the campaign, Leeds Metropolitan University has announced it is investing in the new dance centre in a partnership with NBT and Phoenix.

Dean of Leeds Met's Faculty of Arts and Society, Chris Bailey, said: "Leeds is associated with the best in dance and has the strongest tradition of dance-making of any city in England outside London.

"This opportunity will attract students from many disciplines, including performing arts, to work alongside the companies in the new centre, learning from them about best practice in their professions."

Mr Mark Skipper, NBT's chief executive, said: "All around Leeds it is clear to see the physical investment in the cultural life of the city, for example at the Grand Theatre and the Leeds Museum.

"The new dance centre, and more importantly what will take place inside it, will establish Leeds as a powerhouse for dance in the UK, adding to its already impressive arts portfolio. It will be a source of pride for the wider community, and everyone in Yorkshire and beyond who values our work."

Coun Andrew Carter, Leeds City Council leader, said: "We are fortunate in Leeds to be home to two of the UK's most accomplished dance companies. NBT and Phoenix are important to Leeds's cultural community and we are very proud that the city has such a unique offering in dance.

"We are supporting the building because it is a clear statement of our ambition for Leeds to become a national and international centre of excellence for dance."



The full article contains 452 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 23 February 2008 10:26 AM
By David Marsh

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/City-poised-to-rule-the.3809302.jp

http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/building.jpg
Image from the new NBT momentum site:

http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/index.aspx

Nice find. Although the new building seems to be attached to a suburban semi on the render.

http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/building.jpg

looks reasonable, bit bland on that end wall, and the strange gabled roof to the right seems incongruous, but not much to draw judgement on with only one render. Just glad this saga is going to finish well, been years waiting, but £10m raised, and only 10% left to get is v. positive. As is presence of crome dome royal chap to provide patronage.

Wonder what will become of the current headquarters on Chapeltown Road - fine old church / Jewish synagogue if I recall correctly.

....Wonder what will become of the current headquarters on Chapeltown Road - fine old church / Jewish synagogue if I recall correctly.


Hi Jimbo, the place you refer to (converted synagogue) is the premises of the Northern SChool of Contemporary Dance, an entirely different body. It's worth remembering that Quarry Hill is also home to the Yorkshire Dance Centre.

Quite a concentration of dancing talent for a city which (so we're always being told) is so lacking in culture.

looks reasonable, bit bland on that end wall, and the strange gabled roof to the right seems incongruous, but not much to draw judgement on with only one render. Just glad this saga is going to finish well, been years waiting, but £10m raised, and only 10% left to get is v. positive. As is presence of crome dome royal chap to provide patronage.

Wonder what will become of the current headquarters on Chapeltown Road - fine old church / Jewish synagogue if I recall correctly.

Excellent news. Although I'm not a fan of dance, it does contribute something unique to the culture of Leeds and is overlooked by many, particularly the doom-mongers who believe the city is a cultural backwater. I look forward to some refinement in renders before we can make a judgement on the quality of the sccheme.

There doesn't seem to be any grey plastic on view so the render gets the thumbs up from me. Does anyone know the timeframe for this getting built?

Over the last few days theyve fenced off the lower section of car park to cars and been drilling test holes into the ground, so it all looks quite promising.

There doesn't seem to be any grey plastic on view so the render gets the thumbs up from me. Does anyone know the timeframe for this getting built?
it says in the article that it will be built from spring 2009 to summer 2010

Hi Jimbo, the place you refer to (converted synagogue) is the premises of the Northern SChool of Contemporary Dance, an entirely different body. It's worth remembering that Quarry Hill is also home to the Yorkshire Dance Centre.

Quite a concentration of dancing talent for a city which (so we're always being told) is so lacking in culture.

yarp, thanks, my bad.

There doesn't seem to be any grey plastic on view so the render gets the thumbs up from me.

What are those large rectangular panels on the main cladding? I can't tell, but they could be just large powder coated (or similar) metal panels.

What are those large rectangular panels on the main cladding? I can't tell, but they could be just large powder coated (or similar) metal panels.

It's hard to tell, they seem to be.
Although it could be the polished cladding which sort of looks like a cheap substitute for granite.

Nice find. Although the new building seems to be attached to a suburban semi on the render.

http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/building.jpg

its an okay building but i would have thought they'd incorporate some kind of movement to the building to better reflect the companies inside instead of getting a cube. A side of it looking organic would look good or some kind of installation (other than a naff banner on the inside)

The new Quarry Hill Hotel opposite EQ was meant to be on the schedule for January's plans panel but so far nothing has emerged. Hopefully we'll see some signs of it in the next few months, as I think work is still going on clearing the area.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6880/65699330jy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Quite a lot of activity on site today. Diggers etc. Must be doing preparity works for the new Hotel on the site next to the West Yorks Playhouse. I think construction begins in the next few months?

dont know whether this has been posted before:-
http://www.dlgarchitects.com/our_work.asp?project=26&dev=10&section=273

There's a pre-planning application report being submitted to next week's meeting of the City Centre Plans Panel. At only two and bit pages, it is a short read (http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000173/M00003022/AI00013006/NorthernBallet.pdf).

Is there any movement here? It's not easy or often I get back to Leeds and last I heard they were tearing the car park, to the rear of Quarry Hill, apart.

later this year work will begin on a multi-storey car park, which will take just under a year to complete I believe. Once this is done, phase 1 of the new development will commence - this will include more offices and less residential space than previously envisaged.

Looks like this one is set to run for some time yet. The council has now received a new offer from an undisclosed party for the parcels of land originally planned to be sold to Caddick for their development, and as they are legally obliged to study any such offers this one has more miles in the tank. Needless to say Caddick arent too chuffed though to be fair they have waited for rather a long time to actually sort their own scheme out.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000102/M00003345/AI00012024/$QuarryHillReport22May.docA.ps.pdf

Not the actual Quarry Hill development, but relating to this area is a planning application for the Dance centre we've been waiting for:

08/04304/LA/C Leeds City Council
6 storey dance studio, with changing
rooms, meeting rooms, stores and
offices, with roof plant room

Grid Ref: 430888433513
2 St Cecilia Street
Leeds
LS2

Strategic Design
Alliance
Martin Davison
1 City Walk
Leeds
LS11 9DX

City & Hunslet 30/07/08

cheers - better than nothing I suppose. Typical, Caddick don't actually own the land yet. How infuriating.....sounds similar to Simons debacle at Sovereign Street. At least get the old Metroholst hotel scheme going down on the entrance to Regent Street. All that site prep work seems to have ground to a halt. Bah.

http://www.northernballettheatre.co.uk/news.html The press release here says Spring 2009 as a starting date, summer 2010 for completion. I wouldn't expect it to be subject to delays because isn't the funding all in place now? Hence the delays over the last few years?

Yes Leeds No 1, funding all in place and this is a goer.

A pre-application presentation is going to next week's meeting of the City Centre Plans Panel. The developers, Leeds Properties, are proposing a 13-15 storey block next to Quarry House containing offices, multi-storey car park, gym and retail. Leeds Properties are also the guys behind the proposed hotel development further down Quarry Hill and fronting Eastgate.

See here (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/Published/C00000173/M00003553/AI00015518/QuarryHillpreapp.pdf) for details.

I forgot to mention that another application being considered by the City Centre Plans panel is an outline one for NBT's new home on Quarry Hill. The report on the proposed development is here (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/Published/C00000173/M00003553/AI00015507/0804304LA.pdf).


http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/Images/Aug08.jpg

[QUOTE=aviator;26215888]I forgot to mention that another application being considered by the City Centre Plans panel is an outline one for NBT's new home on Quarry Hill. The report on the proposed development is here (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/Published/C00000173/M00003553/AI00015507/0804304LA.pdf).


Is it going to end up being grey ?

I like the zinc cladding.

Looks like a corrigated iron shed...

Another addition to the fine examples of modern architecture to be found in Leeds ?

Grey! Leeds is going to look like the surface of the death star at this rate.

I think it looks great, it contrasts nicely with the existing developments and i think the highlights round the windows blend well with the coloured glass on the college of music tower.

Plans for £12m Leeds dance centre wins backing

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED//TH1_1310200816montage%202.jpg

By DAVID MARSH


PLANS for a £12m dance centre at Quarry Hill in Leeds have won the backing of councillors and impressions of the new headquarters have been unveiled.

The six-storey building, to feature dance studios, a performance area, changing rooms, meeting rooms, stores and offices, will be the headquarters of the Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

The council's city centre planning panel approved the scheme in principle and agreed that officers could grant formal consent once a number of conditions have been finalised.

It will be built on a site currently used as a council car park in St Cecilia Street close to Quarry House and Leeds College of Music. Progress is now being made towards the creation of the purpose-built home for NBT on Quarry Hill in Leeds. The new building has been designed by DLA Architects.

Fundraising is progressing to create an international centre for dance excellence in Yorkshire and to house Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance plus associated training establishment. Partners involved are Arts Council of England, Leeds City Council, Rushbond PLC and Yorkshire Forward.

Northern Dance Theatre, the name by which the company was originally known, was founded in 1969 by Canadian-born Laverne Meyer, a dramatic dancer whose formative years were spent with Bristol-based Western Theatre Ballet.

Following a feasibility study, funded by the Arts Council and carried out by Laverne Meyer in 1968, Meyer, backed by the Arts Council, North West Arts and other supporters, put together a new company of dancers and on the November 28, 1969, Northern Dance Theatre gave its first performance at the University Theatre, Manchester, accompanied by musicians of the Royal Northern College of Music.

There were 11 dancers in this first company and the emphasis was on small-scale classical and modern works, suiting both the size of the company and the venues. Northern Dance Theatre survived these early years through determination.

Coun Graham Latty (Con, Guiseley and Rawdon) said: "This is a smashing building and it will be an asset to Leeds."

Coun James Monaghan (Lib Dem, Headingley) said the building would be seen by thousands of train passenger using one of the main rail lines into Leeds and would be a fine advertisement for the arts in the city. Coun Martin Hamilton, panel chairman, said the headquarters would be a welcome addition to the cluster of arts and media buildings already developed on Quarry Hill.

Leeds City Council, the Arts Council and Yorkshire Forward are providing £10.5m towards the project.

About time this is another well designed building to bulk up this side of Leeds

It'll be great for the Northern Ballet Theatre group, undoubtably one of Leeds' finest 'crown jewels', will have a deservingly high quality centre. Phoenix Dance also a great success story for Leeds should also flourish in this new headquarters.

Just waiting for start dates now.

Could have been worse, we could have had Carey Jones favorite grey cladding..

http://www.careyjones.co.uk/images/upload/arch_edu_lrg/northballett_410_02.jpg

not sure if its been posted already, apologies if it has

The non-Caddick bit of the proposed Quarry Hill development was under discussion at the last meeting of the City Centre Plans Panel. The render below is one that was posted on here a year ago so I suppose it may have changed, but at least it gives a flavour of what is being proposed. One point of interest from the minutes was the following response to a question about the likely timescales:


two hotel operators were committed to the scheme as was the casino operator and that if planning permission was obtained this year, the development could begin on site in late summer 2009


See here (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/Published/C00000173/M00003554/AI00016103/$$Minutes.docA.pdf) for the full minutes of the meeting.


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/welcome1-rob/QuarryHill1.jpg?t=1185190764

Let's hope so. It's in desperate need of development; I like that design though so hopefully if it's changed, it's to an equally good/better design.

That looks sexual..

hmmm, so its not dead then.....good. However, so little information and so cryptic with the Council minutes. Wonder who the hotel operators are and who the actual developer is......wasn't it MetroHolst, but I thought they went bust?

Clearly the proximity to the future Harewood/Eastgate development is a key driver for this, and similarly the West Properties scheme.

I love this one. Praying that it goes ahead.

I probably mentioned it when this design first surfaced, but the curved line reminds me of Quarry Hill flats.

Check out this (http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/building.aspx) from the Northern Ballet Theatre website. It's got a neat little visualisation of how the building will look on completion.


http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/buildingpage3.jpg

^^ fantastic, after years of talking about it, its eventually about to happen. Hurrah. Looks fairly good and in a way glad to see they ditched the residential element as we've plenty enough housing stock in the city centre to absorb for a bit.

I like this apart from that weird random red box on the back.. whats that all about?