Official Leeds thread 3

[heavymetalmayhem]

Originally Posted by magicrealist

I disagree. The original was overdesigned - far too many swoops of the architect's pen. Also, the use of aluminium cladding for the 10 storey office element was overkill. If you look at the website http://www.bridgewaterplaceleeds.com/ and click on Specification, it is telling that the cladding is described as "contrasting natural stone".

Although we all like curves (!) they have to lead somewhere and the eye is drawn all over the place on the original. Much better to have the simplicity of the roadside 10 storey set against the dramatic backdrop of the tower.

I'm sure an architect could describe the changes in more formal terms, but IMHO they did the right thing toning it down

Very well explained and I totally agree.

I much prefer the new design - I like the way the tower is divided into sections and I didn't like the spikes on the original also the 10 storey element is now in context with the area where as before it would have looked very odd.

[Rob]

With regard to car parks, with all the new large multi-storeys being built recently (Market, Criterion, Wellington, Clarence Dock, Quarry Hill to follow) I would think the open 'derelict' car parks that are being gradually swallowed up are being replaced, space by space. (as a multi storey replaces the area it's sat on multiplied by the number of decks).

As for public transport, it's not brilliant but is quite extensive. I go into Leeds daily from Horsforth (Victoria) each day by bus, and it's not a bad journey really. The supertram would be good (although it would be no use to us in Horsforth).

[Skopie]

Didn't realise the office element is clad in stone, looked like those grey plastic panels from the render. Quite relieved about that as the stone should age alot better.

[Mark1511]

Make sure you don't miss the Paxman/Tony Blair interview in Leeds tonight.

[Mark1511]

Forgot to mention it will be on Newsnight, in case anyone didn't know that already.

[Skychaser 2005]

Originally Posted by Mark1511

Make sure you don't miss the Paxman/Tony Blair interview in Leeds tonight.

Just seen the interview.

Forget Blair and Paxman- didin't Leeds look fantastic in the background.

Thought it was London at first until I saw Leeds Town Hall in the background.

Wonder where it was recorded?

[Mark1511]

I think it was on the top floor of the Prices Exchange. He also had a walk round and interviews The Light earlier in the day.

[Da Bomb]

Maybe I was being a little harsh calling it "tacky" but the office element doesn't seem to compliment the tower very well.

[heavymetalmayhem]

Originally Posted by Skychaser 2005

Just seen the interview.

Forget Blair and Paxman- didin't Leeds look fantastic in the background.

Thought it was London at first until I saw Leeds Town Hall in the background.

Wonder where it was recorded?

Surely it was the BBC's new building?

Behind Toni's head I thought I saw the green glass building on Qarry Hill (Leeds College of music I think?)

[ahmedd]

The Paxman interview was recorded somewhere in/near city square. Leeds did look good and the light looked fantastic. The whole thing showed Leeds at its best.

[heavymetalmayhem]

Originally Posted by ahmedd

The Paxman interview was recorded somewhere in/near city square. Leeds did look good and the light looked fantastic. The whole thing showed Leeds at its best.

no way - you could see the building above the train station miles away in the background if it was in city sq it would have been much closer

[di Livio]

You can see the interview via the Newsnight website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...t/default.stm#

I hope Paxman made some reference to being in his home town

[heavymetalmayhem]

Originally Posted by heavymetalmayhem

no way - you could see the building above the train station miles away in the background if it was in city sq it would have been much closer

Sorry - having looked at the clip again I take this back. I agree it prob was the in/near city sq as I think the bigest building in the background is 1 Park Row and the green glass is prob City Exchange.

Haward's turn tonight!

[Skychaser 2005]

Just watched the interview again, and its deffinately Prince's Exchange next to City Station. Leeds looks fantastic from this view.

[heavymetalmayhem]

More on the future of the Allders building from this weeks Proerty Week:

Property week has learnt that the company (Capital & Counties) is planning a 500,000 sq ft redevelopment in Leeds at one of the city centre’s largest commercial properties…

The Leeds property is a six-storey 425,000 sq ft retail block on the north side of the Headrow, and will be redeveloped to provide space for four fashion retailers, a food store, two floors of offices, an underground car park and flats…

The redevelopment will include an extension to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors, designed by Manchester based architect Fairhursts design Group… The company has drawn up designs and will be submit a planning application within months.

There is also a photo but I am afraid my subscription has expired so I can no longer access the Property Week website.

[Skopie]

Here it is

[magicrealist]

Looks rather splendid - maybe there'll be a rooftop restaurant a la harvey nicks?

[ps60]

Originally Posted by magicrealist

Looks rather splendid - maybe there'll be a rooftop restaurant a la harvey nicks?

And if it is right, it looks as if it will be finally completed and lose that lop-sided look.

[SmartCity]

Looks really good. i'm impressed!!!!

Remenber folks......it's St George's Day tomorrow, don't forget your red rose and have a merry old tipple!!

.............Englands day!!!

[jimbo]

Very very very strange - from the planning permission bit of the Leeds council website:

Application 20/27/01/FU
Received on 25/01/2001

Description
part 9 and part 13 storey mixed use development with 167 flats & ground floor & basement food & drink unit
Location
VICAR LANE LEEDS 2 OS3033NW MAJ
Library
Central Library
Decision Permission Granted Decision Date 14/04/2005
Add to my list

Only taken 4 years to get planning permission. Now this could be one of two things. Either New York House, the Carey Jones designed block for the site of the old MGM/ABC cinema, or a proposal for opposite the Sony Centre and Sleep Inn, which has had a 'Oakgate developments' banner on the top of it for several years. Either way I really do't understand why its taken so long unless the developers have held back and waited until now to commence. The MGM cinema site has a 'sold' sign on it and maybe there have been lots of legal wranglings for Cala Homes in obtaining the actual site, despite planning the development years back. Either way, suggests that this parcel of land is not part of the Harewood Quarter.

I could be completely wrong, Vicar Lane is a longish road, but for new builds, the top end is the only logical location.

What thinks yee all?