NY has the statue of lib
Paris has its tower
London has the mel eye, tower bridge ect..
most if not all of the super citys have a landmark, i think it is time leeds had one!
im shore that there was a plan to have a one a fue years back. we need something!

There was the owl. Well NY Paris and London are world cities. But cities that are on equivalent levels to Leeds dont really- Birmingham doesnt, Manchester doesnt, Sheffield doesnt- it would be good to have one but it's not like it's majorly losing out to other UK cities because of it.

I personally dont feel there is the need for this perceived "piece of brilliance" that will mark Leeds out from the rest. The city as a whole should be aiming for architectural excellence, which will give the city a good image anyway.
That being said, I believe that if Criterion is ever realised, then it will become synonymous with the city, and will herald a very prosperous era for the city.

Well. It would be nice to have a major landmark (aka major like Angel of the North type major) at the main gateway to the city centre (A58(M)). I always percieved the Leeds21 sign on the M621 into Leeds as a landmark even though it's only a sign I'm guessing. What actually is it? But anyway, whatever it is, it would be a good place to mark an entrance to Leeds with a landmark.

i think we should aim to become a world city!
what sort of landmarks would you want?

i think a huge bulding like the empire state. if not somthing like the statue of lib would be good.

we need soming to put us on the map for people to say "o look thats the [landmarks name] thats in leeds in the uk.

something to should out to the people of the world WE ARE HERE !!!

But cities that are on equivalent levels to Leeds dont really- Birmingham doesnt, Manchester doesnt, Sheffield doesnt

Liverpool has them,we have the two cathedrals,the three graces(when they're pictured together) and st. johns beacon,people might not know what they're called but they're instantly recognisable as Liverpool.

http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/6099/resultingimagecrop290c1dg0vl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Excellent picture by Mersey Orange.

Yeah I know; thats why I didn't put Liverpool.
A major landmark like the Statue of Liberty would cost so much it would be much better to put the money into improving neighbourhoods. The only reason most UK cities are known outside Europe is because of history except London, not really landmarks.
Where do you come from btw?

Yeah I know; thats why I didn't put Liverpool.
A major landmark like the Statue of Liberty would cost so much it would be much better to put the money into improving neighbourhoods. The only reason most UK cities are known outside Europe is because of history except London, not really landmarks.
Where do you come from btw?

I'm from Norris Green in Liverpool, but I agree with Rhino a landmark building would benefit Leeds and Criterion Place would be that landmark building without doubt.

No rhinomatt

people might not know what they're called but they're instantly recognisable as Liverpool.


People recognise them as Liverpool because of media representation which uses those buildings to signify 'Liverpool'. Leeds Town Hall has never been used to signify 'Leeds', only local government. That's a major problem for the city.

I agree with Evenflow. A well-planned, attractive and cohesive city centre is surely preferable to a ephemeral iconic building, which every city has nowadays. We used to have a world-class city centre but it was disfigured in the post-war building boom.

People recognise them as Liverpool because of media representation which uses those buildings to signify 'Liverpool'. Leeds Town Hall has never been used to signify 'Leeds', only local government. That's a major problem for the city.

But I think that because most of them are unique buildings they have become synonamus with Liverpool and its skyline over time,I mean you see Barcelona cathedral and you instantly know where it is and I think these buildings have the same effect.If you see the skyline of Liverpool no matter how much its going to change in the future,those buildigs will make it instantly recognisable as Liverpool and that's a great thing IMO.

I think there's a fine balance between the costs and benefits of a major Landmark...

Angel of the North - do people recognise where it is? Yes Gateshead/North East. Does it bring in many visitors? No.
Blackpool Tower - do people recognise where it is? Yes. Does it bring many visitors? Yes.

IMO it's not worth splashing the cash unless it's gonna bring in the visitors.
Good landmarks: Millennium Eye (and other London landmarks), Blackpool tower, Sydney Harbour bridge etc etc
Bad landmarks: Angel of North, proposed Brick Man,

There is the arguement that it can improve image, but do we really want Leeds to be associated with a Golden Owl in every picture in the press? Think of Gateshead - there's not much people can say about it other than they spent a lot of money on a crappy statue.

Criterion would be awesome. Alternative idea than one big landmark - many smaller landmarks spread across the city along a theme.

Alternative idea than one big landmark - many smaller landmarks spread across the city along a theme.

Love this idea. Smaller, but still sustantial, say the size of Oakwood clock. Each suburb/community could have one. They could create a sense of unity among the citizens of Leeds, act as waymarkers for people touring the city, remind visitors subliminally that they're in Leeds no matter which part of the city they are in. A suitable theme doesn't immediately come to mind though.

Love this idea. Smaller, but still sustantial, say the size of Oakwood clock. Each suburb/community could have one. They could create a sense of unity among the citizens of Leeds, act as waymarkers for people touring the city, remind visitors subliminally that they're in Leeds no matter which part of the city they are in. A suitable theme doesn't immediately come to mind though.

gold owls??
they are a good one! we could have them like mel square.

I don't think Criterion will become a renowned landmark. The problem is that it is usually the city that makes the landmark, not the other way round. Do you think the Statue of Liberty would be as famous if it was given to Margate. It became famous because of the millions of immigrents that passed it.

I disagree to an extent - I think that if built, Criterion will almost always (for a time) be pictured whenever Leeds in general is in the news (meaning it will be a prominent Landmark), though I agree that it wouldn't particularly be famous nor bring people into Leeds to see it. It will also help shed the 'grimy northern town' image. Remember though Blackpool tower is world(?) famous and that's in Blackpool!!!! (obviously).
Back to the mini-landarks, if there were a few in the city centre (on a theme) it might become a tourist 'thing' to be photographed with all the landmarks (if they were good/famous enough). Landmarks in the suburbs would also be good improving the local image and community spirit - might be hard to keep the vandals away though... :(
Gold owls has to be the obvious choice, or you could have Leeds' past (Mills, textiles, football, rugby, cricket, M&S, Canal, Railways etc etc) as concepts for each one so they are different.
I really like the idea of landmark fountains, though this is way too expensive/unlikely. Leeds - City of fountains! Also bit dubious given how the council can't keep the Millennium Sq/City Sq fountains on for more than an hour without a breakdown! Have a few more in the centre (with a really huge 'main' landmark one) and then loads more across the city. Anyway given that this is quite simply ridiculous - any other ideas for a theme?

a street with famous peoples names and handprints on the floor might be a good one??
even beter if it had a world famous cinema screen with a masave cap with them around it. thatway it could hold prems!

the city should be shouting of the rooftops that the worlds 1st ever moving images were shot in leeds!
and half the people in leeds dont know that! never mind others!

I think there's already one in London near LWTV - Avenue of the Stars? Also I don't think Leeds has the profile - we'd have the cast of Emmerdale and Jimmy Saville with their handprints. Leeds should keep going with it's Film Festival though to slowly raise the profile, especially with all the films filmed in Yorkshire.

Well theres quite a few celebs from Leeds!
But anyway; CP- I dont know if its 61 or 47 or 49 storeys. I asked the guy and he doesnt know, he said if Im that bothered, ring up. So. there we go.

what about a giant arch at all major road into and out of the city?

You mean like a big version of something like this but on a much bigger scale:

http://www.whitbyonline.co.uk/s/images/whitby/whitby-139.jpg

You mean like a big version of something like this but on a much bigger scale:

http://www.whitbyonline.co.uk/s/images/whitby/whitby-139.jpg

yes but maby in stone insted of whale bone lol.
and what about a gold owl ontop of them?

A huge arch on every major road into the city would cost loads. It would be better to have one arch; especially if there's more than one it will make it common. Its better to have different landmarks at each gateway to the city. The best place for an arch would be the A58(M) just before Mayfair- it is by far the busiest and most important entrance to the city, and would be seen by many people coming in by train.

what about a giant arch at all major road into and out of the city?

Mmm, nice, and if the major road's a dual carriageway it could be a double arch just like the McDonald's golden M.

I think a bid was submitted to the Lottery some years ago for an idea similar to yours but the submission was unsuccessful. However, I believe there is a Corridors and Connections subgroup of the Leeds Initiative which is charged with enhancing the routes into the city centre.

Did you know the golden arches are more widely recognised than the Christian cross...

Anyway, the enhancement and improvements of routes into the city does not include any landmarks. It is things like resurfacing, cleaning up, replacement of street furniture, replanting of plans/grass on central reservations and things like that.

You mean like a big version of something like this but on a much bigger scale:

http://www.whitbyonline.co.uk/s/images/whitby/whitby-139.jpg

Didn't Sadam have something like this in Bagdad? :ohno:

well here it is..........?

http://photobucket.com/albums/d172/SMARTCITY/lemon.jpg

.......er no, not a good idea, me thinks!

what elce (landmark wise) could we have?

http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=39&ArticleID=1403763 A series of small metal owls purched up high above the city centre and suburbs - too high for vandals, cheapish, on a theme, something for tourists to spot, something Leeds can be famous for...

Find the money from somewhere, commission leading sculptors to come up with large scale projects, and stick them around the city centre. Par example...

http://www.ub.es/escult/Water/tress/leeds/Vd5.jpg http://moblog.co.uk/blogs/1210/thumbs/moblog_5858865afeed4.jpg

I don't think owls are a good enough symbol for Leeds any more - I mean, who actually knows why we have them - or the golden fleece - in the first place?

Something entirely unrelated would be better IMO.
Can you imagine replacing/updating the Liver birds?

Im sure if that globe building for the university get builts, it will become a well known landmark!

I don't think owls are a good enough symbol for Leeds any more - I mean, who actually knows why we have them - or the golden fleece - in the first place?


As a symbol of wool manufacture, the fleece is somewhat outdated now. There's also something a bit old hat and bandwagon-jumping about an owl sculpture.
I like the idea of using public art as an integral part of the built environment, provided it's up to a high standard. I'd like to see more artistcally flamboyant architecture in the city centre, rather than the basic profitable block.

Well NY Paris and London are world cities. But cities that are on equivalent levels to Leeds dont really- Birmingham doesnt, Manchester doesnt, Sheffield doesnt- it would be good to have one but it's not like it's majorly losing out to other UK cities because of it.


Portsmouth have the Spinnaker tower (which I think is fantastic!)


http://www.lusas.com/case/civil/images/spinnaker_tower_people_8may05_300.jpg



http://www.lusas.com/case/civil/images/spinnaker_tower_night_20nov05_300.jpg


I suppose you need somthing worth viewing to justify a viewing tower.

I suppose you need somthing worth viewing to justify a viewing tower.


You mean to say our great city and surrounding countryside aint worth looking at?

You mean to say our great city and surrounding countryside aint worth looking at?


Personally I would love to see a view across Leeds or any other city for that matter but then that’s because I (like the rest of you) have an interest in planning and the built environment.

I’m just not sure the majority of the public would be so keen to part with their cash.

I don't think you would see much countryside and it would have to be pretty spectacular countryside to justify a viewing tower.

A viewing tower would be a great thing to have but I don't think the cost of construction could be justified.

I think a viewing tower is a good idea in any city- theres one in Dublin but nothing particularly exciting in Dublin to see in terms of skyline. It seems that within 5 years there could be quite a nice skyline to see anyway!

Is it the plan on sweet street that intends to have a 40th floor resteraunt?

Was this idea referring to any particular development? Although that is true, if its built there will be a good view from the top- just saying a viewing tower anywhere will work- people will go up it anywhere, although I don't think people will especially visit Leeds just to go up the tower.

You can save all that expenditure by getting people to pay 20p to go to the top of the West Riding House car park.

Works for me.

The top of Woodhouse Lane car park is probably higher and does have quite a good view, and you can go up there for free.

The top of Woodhouse Lane car park is probably higher and does have quite a good view, and you can go up there for free.

Wasn't the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey due for a multimillion pound re-clad?
I'll be glad to see the back of it - currently it's as bleakand grey as the worst concrete disasters in Cov City.

Woodhouse Lane multi-storey was only redone a few years ago. As concrete monsters go, I don't think it's all that bad......we're talking about the one near the Dry Dock right?

Wasn't the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey due for a multimillion pound re-clad?
I'll be glad to see the back of it - currently it's as bleakand grey as the worst concrete disasters in Cov City.

It is awful isn't it, that bit of the IRR with this monstrosity looming above reminds me of communist Warsaw circa 1980 but not as bad as Cov!

Work under way on Yorkshire wheel

Construction of a giant observation wheel is under way at York's National Railway Museum.

Components for the 60m (200ft) high structure were transported in a convoy of 40ft containers from Holland.

It is expected to take about 10 days to build the wheel, which will have 43 climate-controlled viewing capsules.

The wheel will offer panoramic views of York's city centre, the Minster and the River Ouse and is expected to attract up to a million visitors to the city.

It will also create about 30 jobs when it opens next month.

The plans are a joint venture with World Tourist Attractions Ltd, which had its own application to build a wheel near the Ouse was withdrawn last year.

Councillors agreed to approve planning permission for the wheel for three years, despite police concerns that its proximity to the main roads may distract drivers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/4850680.stm

I for one would not like to see an 'observation wheel' in Leeds. The London Eye works as it's unique - or was. I see little point in emulating London. Surely the purpose of a landmark is to add something with a little individuality. Can you see hoards of tourists turning up to see Manchester from it's wheel? No. A landmark should be something that inspires a little civic pride, it's almost comical thinking of every sizeable UK City/town having a wheel.

I thought the same until i saw a party of schoolchildren tramping through brindleyplace to get to Birmingham's wheel. It wouldn't make Leeds a tourist destination, but it might encourage local tourism (daytrippers from Halifax and such like) and create a few jobs. The idea is perfect for the capital (York that is), as it adds another dimension to its list of national/international tourist attractions.

I thought the same until i saw a party of schoolchildren tramping through brindleyplace to get to Birmingham's wheel. It wouldn't make Leeds a tourist destination, but it might encourage local tourism (daytrippers from Halifax and such like) and create a few jobs. The idea is perfect for the capital (York that is), as it adds another dimension to its list of national/international tourist attractions.

The only way I would like to see one of these come to Leeds would be if it was the largest one anywhere!

The only way I would like to see one of these come to Leeds would be if it was the largest one anywhere!


Do you honestly think the skyline of Leeds would be improved by a 500ft wheel!

I cannot think of anything worse.

london was with the mel eye!

we have lots and lots of space neer the river (excluding c dock)
old shut down werehouses!
BIG STADIA please! like mel stadium!
it could be the rugby league natonal stadium (like union have twicken).

.The idea is perfect for the capital (York that is),

.. I think you're a few centuries out of date there :poke:

yeah I think it was a joke heh. I have no idea what would make a good landmark in Leeds, but as I have said before, the best landmarks seem to be things you can do not just see. Like a wheel, or observation tower. Maybe it would just be better to put the money that would be used for a landmark into a major new attraction such as Tate, Lowry, Imperial War Museum, Royal Armouries, The Deep- things that attract alot of people and get cities put in the map.

Not sure about these but Birmingham has a proposal http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=571 as does Brighton http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=575

http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/1449/10054/f/41239-Beijing-skyline-to-the-west-1.jpg

http://www.dcfev.de/landschaft.jpg

http://www.coachtrips.com/tourImages/3581.jpeg

http://www.traveladdicts.connectfree.co.uk/Niagara/SToronto.jpg

Something like one of these would be good for Leeds

Shanghai (first pic) in particular has a stunning skyline - when you can see it through the pollution

We should have something like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/Kesaph/a1c28d7a.jpg

I had totally forgotten about it.
It means something to people in Perth but its also a wicked piece of design and looks great where it sits at the side of the (albeit Aire dwarfing) Swan River.

For those that didn't know it's the Bell Tower, Perth, Australia (http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/wa/pertharea/perth/guide/bell-tower-swan)

Oh I thought you meant the blue CCTV... :jk: :)

london was with the mel eye!

we have lots and lots of space neer the river (excluding c dock)
old shut down werehouses!
BIG STADIA please! like mel stadium!
it could be the rugby league natonal stadium (like union have twicken).

:dunno: WTF?

What I think he meant to say was:
London's skyline was improved with the addition of the Millenium Eye (Wheel).
Leeds ahas lots of space near the riverside (excluding Clarence Dock), most of which is old warehousing.
I would like to see a big stadium, similar to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff!
It could be the national stadium of the Rugby Leagie (like Twickenham is to Rugby Union).

What you think? Can I make it as a translator???

On a separate point - 2 of the smaller buildings in the second of Stig's pictures look like the one that was proposed for Leeds Met behind the Civic Hall. I do think a viewing tower would be good for Leeds. Especially of you could see as far as the dales. Pretty rare in the UK. Not sure how financially viable they are though...

I always wonder why NTL don't allow visitors to the top of Emley Moor Transmitter - bet the views are awesome - I'd certainly pay!

What I think he meant to say was:
London's skyline was improved with the addition of the Millenium Eye (Wheel).
Leeds ahas lots of space near the riverside (excluding Clarence Dock), most of which is old warehousing.
I would like to see a big stadium, similar to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff!
It could be the national stadium of the Rugby Leagie (like Twickenham is to Rugby Union).


What I think he meant to say was:
London's skyline was improved with the addition of the Millenium Eye (Wheel).
Leeds has lots of space near the riverside (excluding Clarence Dock), most of which is old warehousing.
I would like to see a big stadium, similar to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff!
It could be the national stadium of the Rugby League (like Twickenham is to Rugby Union).
:)

:runaway: lol very good....

Council leader Andrew Carter did confirm in a radio interview today that it is some kind of tower they're considering ,possibly with a revolving viewing room/ restraunt .I know it's been done elsewhere before but it could be good for the city ,perhaps on the same site as our long awaited arena?

Maybe above a potential (though highly unlikely) SuperCasino....
I think something like that would be good, though financial viablility has to be poor. Imagine the cost to build, staffing costs and upkeep etc versus the £5 per person they could charge to go up and the profit from a restaurant...
It sould have to be a proper tower with offices/flats on every floor rather than a viewing tower I think