Merrion Centre

[LeedsLad]

Wow thanks for the pic! Don't think I wudda believed it until I saw with my own eyes...
Can't imagine they're putting in new ones!! Guessing at Health & Safety risk assessment?
Suprised this land has never been sold off/developed.
I think the sculpture is out there because it's hideous! Wonder how much they paid for it in the 'olden days'.

Anyone else ever seen outdoor escalators? I never have! Anyone remember them working (that means you Fred)?

[Subliving]

There are two in Cardinal Place in Victoria, London. They work fine, day and night, though for some reason, people don't seem to like using them and prefer the stairs, even though it's quite a hike!

Subliving.

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by LeedsLad

Anyone else ever seen outdoor escalators? I never have! Anyone remember them working (that means you Fred)?

I seem to have been unwittingly acquired the role of resident elder statesman here !

No, I don't remember these escalators working, but there used to be a working one at the Merrion Street entrance.
As to outside escalators, what about that one at the bottom of Albion Street? That is still operating though it was out of action yesterday for maintenance.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by LeedsLad

I think the sculpture is out there because it's hideous!

Are you mad? It's much too good to be shoved away beneath Merrion House.

[JOliver]

I'll be happy if it is the only reminder of the 60s brutality in Leeds.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Fred2

No, I don't remember these escalators working, but there used to be a working one at the Merrion Street entrance.

Oh my goodness they must have been out of action for ages. I wonder how long they worked for.

[The Oil]

I found out something interesting today. Apparently the council offices in Merrion House are on a 50 year lease signed in 1977!

[Liam]

But they're (or we're) not moving anywhere....sadly. The hulking V-shaped slab of doom will be assaulting our eyes for years to come.

[tomd89]

Does anyone know when the Merrion Centre was "roofed"??

(purely out of interest if anyone asks!)

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by tomd89

Does anyone know when the Merrion Centre was "roofed"??

(purely out of interest if anyone asks!)

Can't say exactly, but probably about 4-5 years after it was opened in 1964.

[SirCWilson]

Originally Posted by Rob

Oh my goodness they must have been out of action for ages. I wonder how long they worked for.

Not sure, but I did hear an explanation as to why they fell into such a state. They were actually in the ownership of the Council, despite seemingly being part of the Merrion Centre, and there was dispute for years over who should be responsible for their repair and maintenance. Apparently it was finally resolved last year when both parties finally saw sense, and LCC sold them to Town Centre Securities.

For a pound.

Lo and behold they are gone; I believe a good old-fashioned set of steps will be going in.

I would like to nail my colours firmly to the side of the Merrion Centre at this point; I am a fan. The approved plans for Town Centre House, and the aim to replicate the new 'Costa Coffee' style frontage along Woodhouse Lane both look good, but I hope the character of the place isn't changed too much. What I mean is, I like the egg boxes and want them to stay! And I like the Junction 7 bar and I want it to stay! And I like the Morrisons signs and I want them to stay!

If you analyse the Merrion in terms of it's plan, it's pretty good. It forms 'streets' and routes through in a way which new buildings seek to do - look at the plan for a new arcade through the Headrow centre, for example. I think that gives the centre a robustness, which means that however it is altered in the future it will remain substantially the same. The new Costa unit looks fantastic, and that has been achieved through fairly subtle alterations around the existing frame. The Merrion's strength - and one of the reasons I like it - is that big differences can be made through small changes.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by SirCWilson

The approved plans for Town Centre House, and the aim to replicate the new 'Costa Coffee' style frontage along Woodhouse Lane both look good

Despite a worrying strip of grey plastic, I'm surprised at how respectful the Costa Coffee frontage has turned out to be (even though i haven't see the finished article yet). While I'd support replacing the brown brick with red terracotta tiling, I'd be less impressed with grey plastic cladding replacing the mosaic tiles on Town Centre House.

[leeds the best]

Are you saying their renovating town centre house?

[SirCWilson]

Originally Posted by leeds the best

Are you saying their renovating town centre house?

Town Centre Securities were granted planning approval for a scheme late last year. It's necessary before the current cladding falls off.

I think it's to be reclad in a terracotta-ish style - I can't quite remember. They were talking about vari-coloured cladding though, so it more closely resembles brick - rather than, say, the single shade cladding on the new parts of the Light. On the side facing Woodhouse Lane, they'll be an internally illuminated glazed staircase, the glazing wrapping on to a predominantly glazed new floor to be added on top.

At the same time, the Hobby Shop unit will be extended towards Woodhouse Lane, into the area where the news kiosk is - which has closed. This will remove the alcoholic's meeting space and help lessen the impact of the Morrisons service exit. The entrance to the Merrion Centre will therefore be nearer to Woodhouse Lane, and expressed by a high level (fourth or fifth floor) glazed canopy, supported by a pole.

[leeds the best]

So if yu have the full plans for the merrion centre post them.Do you know if they will renovate merrion house.

[SirCWilson]

Originally Posted by leeds the best

So if yu have the full plans for the merrion centre post them.Do you know if they will renovate merrion house.

It was all from memory, leeds the best. I can maybe arrange a brain scan, but I told you all I know...

[leeds the best]

Ok sircw i just thought id enquire this place needs renovating and fast .Thanks for the info u got anyone else got any?

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by leeds the best

Ok sircw i just thought id enquire this place needs renovating and fast .Thanks for the info u got anyone else got any?

If you are so desperate to know, leeds the best, contact TCS and ask them !

[skybonse]

Originally Posted by LeedsLad

Piece in the YEP tonight (cba to copy n paste it) basically saying council have recieved application for 'pukey' coloured cladding (TSC call it 'subtle interesting colours'). Councillors basically all agreed we should knock it down, then agreed this was unlikely for at least 20years, then decided they had better make sure they get the cladding decision right.
As for me? Well I think that the site has huge potential obviously taking up such a large area. It's a dump as it is now but it's somewhere for the cheap shops and a few old fashioned independents. Hardly in-keeping with Leeds trendy image though and hardly makes a great 1st impression. I fear one day it might get protected status as an example of 60's architecture and as it was such a pioneer in it's day.
My best idea for a solution would be to flog the Morrissons part to Morrissons (If they don't already own it?) They could then redevelop it by sticking the car park underground and making the store bigger and modern. That would be a quarter of the Merrion done in one swoop. Multi Story car park could get away with cladding and then a nice new 30 storey tower block to raise more cash. If the tower and Morrisons were redeveloped like that and the Multistorey clad, the rest of it would barely be noticable.
Also they need to build or landscape the area where the outdoor escalators are...

The Merrion Centre is dire although I think a renovation/recladding would be better than tearing it down for a rebuild. I think its important to keep the cinema in the building as it is part of the city's history. I look forwards to seeing that when I visit on Heritage days

Morrisons definitely needs an overhaul- the place is a dump and depressing! Most of their stores are though, so how about we get a Tesco instead? At least their shops are bright and modern.

As for the old shops, sorry but they definitely shouldnt be got rid of. They are what make Leeds unlike many "clone" town centres - unique small shops are brilliant and give much more variety to the people. I think leeds should set up a preservation fund for some of these small shops to protect them against the fierce competition of multiple retailers moving into close proximity if anything

[skybonse]

Originally Posted by di Livio

Are you mad? It's much too good to be shoved away beneath Merrion House.

That sculpture is horrible, but I dont think the dank and gloomy surroundings it sits in does anything for it. I certainly dont think its should be got rid of though, if placed in nicer surroundings (maybe a few bushes and a couple of shiney benches even) it would look better.

Its been around there forever though and should be for some time to come!