Market St Arcade

[pss53]

Apologies as couldn't find a thread if there is one..

Noticed this morning workers back on site after a spell of absence, boards gone up round exterior, anyone shed any more light on what's going on etc?

[di Livio]

As if by magic... (looking towards Briggate)

Market Street Arcade, Briggate

Location: Leeds
Value: £3.0m
Client: Oaklyn Investments
Duration: TBC

Allenbuild have been selected as preferred contractor to carry out a £3m shopping arcade transformation project .

Owners Oaklyn Investments want to bring the Market Street Arcade on Briggate in Leeds, into the 21st century with a dramatic overhaul which will include a refurbishment of all four floors, a new lift, new footbridge and balustrades, a glazed atrium over the new mall.

Image courtesy of Archial Architects

[dkeeno1]

Wow, that looks fantastic, what an amazing transformation this is going to be!!! Do we know how big these units are going to be and if any retailers have signed up yet?

[tomd89]

Wow, where has this come from!

Will be great if they can get independent retailers, will be just like a modern Queens/Thorntons arcade, and hopefully full of character unlike the generic Westfield-eqse shopping centres.

[Leeds No.1]

Hopefully it will bring more trade to Out of this World and Pop Boutique by creating a new shopping axis from the Corn Exchange through Market Street Arcade to Trinity.

[FreddyFresher]

Independent shops would be good - it might help connect the existing independent retail area around the corn exchange with briggate.

This looks a thousand times better than I expected for this site, I'm really quite surprised!

[LeedsLad]

I remember a revamp of this arcade was top of many peoples wish lists for Leeds. Not because it's a huge or prestige project or anything like that, but just because it was a disgrace at the bottom of Briggate, the same street as VQ

[Val Verde]

And for those new to Leeds here is how it used to appear . http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnepettinger/2816364737/

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Great news about the render and surely the new Market Street Arcade will improve accessibility between Briggate and the Corn Exchange area. On another note wasn't there a rumour that House of Fraser were going to take the entire north side of the Market Street Arcade? Also could the upstairs of the new arcade potentially struggle for custom with shoppers inclined to just stay at ground level unless there is a specifically strong draw. Wonder if Bella Italia will stay open throughout these works or if they will have to vacate?

[LoveTheCity]

Wow, I wasn't even aware that it was four floors! The renders look brilliant. I definitely agree that independent retailers would be perfect for this, especially with Trinity being built opposite, It would give the independents plenty of footfall. I think if the upper levels are done correctly they will be able to survive because of the location of the shopping arcade, on Briggate. My only concern is that it says a lift will be installed, I hope this is alongside an escalator system as I think escalators would draw customers in much more. Cant wait for this to come to light, along with Trinity its going to give Leeds the modern shop fronts and units it's being crying out for.

[Leeds No.1]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

Wonder if Bella Italia will stay open throughout these works or if they will have to vacate?

I was reading through the document about a week ago; it said that the restaurant, ie Bella Italia, will remain open and unaffected by the revamp. Shame in a way because I think it's a horrible restaurant in need in a massive revamp.

[KidNeStonez]

It's amazing that such an horrific place in such a high profile shopping area has not been improved on before now. Hallelujah!

[Yorkshire Boy]

Awww... I miss that old decrepid walkway.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

I was reading through the document about a week ago; it said that the restaurant, ie Bella Italia, will remain open and unaffected by the revamp. Shame in a way because I think it's a horrible restaurant in need in a massive revamp.

I wonder whether there will be some changes to the exterior because this end of Briggate is vile at the moment. A bit of stone cladding like the Merrion Centre re-clad would be ideal.

[aviator]

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Boy

Awww... I miss that old decrepid walkway.

..with its smell of piss

[Smoggie_Si]

Originally Posted by di Livio

As if by magic... (looking towards Briggate)

Bloody hell, that looks awesome! As has been said, whilst it's a small scheme but the arcade is currently such a disgrace and really lowers the tone of that part of Briggate. What with the news on Trinity it has all in all been a great few weeks for Leeds city centre

[The one that leeds!!]

SHOWS THE CONFIDENCE IN THE CITY OF LEEDS THAT TRINITY IS RE STARTING AND WITH THIS JUST OVER THE ROAD WILL REALLY IMPROVE THIS AREA OF THE CITY. EXCELLENT

[Alexi Lalas]

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?!!

[The one that leeds!!]

BECAUSE IM IN A GERMAN TECHNO CLUB OF MY FACE

[Yorkshire Boy]

Originally Posted by The one that leeds!!

BECAUSE IM IN A GERMAN TECHNO CLUB OF MY FACE

[Even Flow]

Strangely, I noticed today that some more documents have been added to the council website referring to this application (eg plans, materials etc)

https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/on...=K59WE8JB0FZ00

and then later when I walked past for the first time ever I actually saw someone working on the site, pulling down the facade on the Briggate side.
It really is quite a bizarre set up. Seemingly no machinery, no deliveries, a tiny workforce, and yet looking at the documents it really is quite an extensive scheme! It's only when you look at the plans that you realise just how much floor space there actually is going to be once it's complete. The finishes also look like they are going to be pretty decent as well, I must say this could actually turn out pretty well!

....and to continue the rather bizarre story of this development, it says on Archials (Architects) website that they've gone into administration....