Leeds City Region - Thread

[Aviador]

We recently went to watch a show at the Leeds Grand Theatre. It was my first visit to the venue and I was gobsmacked by the size and the architecture of the building. The outside of the building doesn't do it any justice considering what's inside.

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[TheLocalYokel]

There are some beautiful old theatres around the country.

Have you ever been to the Leeds City Varieties? This theatre was home to an iconic regular entertainment programme The Good Old Days that ran for 30 years from 1953 on BBC1 (when it began there was only one tv channel in the country) and featured old-fashioned (it was old-fashioned then!) musical entertainment, with the audience dressed in period costime.

 

[Aviador]

Funnily enough I was just discussing that with the other half a few days ago. No, we have't been to the City Varieties. It's hidden down a narrow cobble street. It's another one to add to the list of things to do.

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Image: leedscitymagazine.co.uk

 

[Aviador]

Had a trip out to the Leeds Light Night a couple of weeks back. I was surprised at how large the event has grown. The city centre was busy and it had a great vibe.

Here's a few photos I took on the evening.


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[Brum X]

Converted to Loiner X for 1 day only, photo's coming soon

Visited Leeds with my work.

 

[Aviador]

You kept that quiet @Brum X

 

[Brum X]

You kept that quiet @Brum X

As I was officially visiting Leeds to work and didn't know how much spare time I would have I couldn't really plan anything, however wild horses couldn't keep me away from exploring the city whilst looking out of a 6th floor office window on Park Row and seeing a huge tower being constructed in the distance.

Lets just say I had an extended lunch, lol. Weather was pretty rubbish though so must return in the summer and have a good nosey around.

 

[Brum X]

LEEDS | Altus House | 114m | 38 fl | U/C

 

[Brum X]

Bye bye Leeds, see you soon

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Great pictures, Brum X. I've only been to Leeds once - about ten years ago - and was only there for an hour or so. Like Brum, it looks very impressive.

Actually twice - we changed trains in Leeds a few years ago to get to Harrogate. Saw some of the cityscape from the train window.

 

[Aviador]

Did you make it into Victoria Gate. You took a picture from the outside?

 

[Brum X]

Did you make it into Victoria Gate. You took a picture from the outside?

I did indeed and it is like a palace

 

[Brum X]

Early plans to replace the former Santander offices in Leeds city centre with a 33-storey tower have been called ‘attractive’ and ‘promising’ by planning chiefs this week.

A pre-application from developers Merrion Street Ltd outlined early plans to demolish 44 Merrion Street and replace it with a 545-bed student accommodation building.
Developers showed a meeting of Leeds City Council’s city plans panel artist impressions of how such a building might look if it were eventually given the green light.
A report added the development could also include ‘a mix of ground floor uses’, potentially including ‘retail space and a community/arts centre’.
During comments on the pre-application, committee member Coun Elizabeth Nash (Lab) said: “The tall part of the building is very attractive and will be enjoyed by many people, but the plinth needs further work on it.
“I think it is a strong proposal so far,” added Coun Neil Walshaw (Lab). “We should be really pleased with this. This is super promising – I’m really pleased.”
No decision was made by the panel, as a full planning application is yet to be submitted. However, members of the committee agreed that such a development would be acceptable in principle.
The Santander offices closed in 2019, and a report by council officers claimed the proposal would only reduce employment land by a ‘relatively small amount’.

 

[Aviador]

If I'm honest i'm not keen on the basis on this render alone.

One of the emerging problems I see in Leeds is we have far too many poor quality tall student towers versus high quality low rise office grade buildings. The latest tall tower, Atlas House is possibly an exception to that.

It's a real bug bear of mine as I see some really outstanding talls going up in Manchester and Birmingham but Leeds city council seems to allow developers to build whatever they like in Leeds instead of raising the standards.

 

[Brum X]

If I'm honest i'm not keen on the basis on this render alone.

One of the emerging problems I see in Leeds is we have far too many poor quality tall student towers versus high quality low rise office grade buildings. The latest tall tower, Atlas House is possibly an exception to that.

It's a real bug bear of mine as I see some really outstanding talls going up in Manchester and Birmingham but Leeds city council seems to allow developers to build whatever they like in Leeds instead of raising the standards.

I understand what you are saying and there does appear to be a desire to get more students living in Leeds which should be a concern as these area's are empty of Students for circa 2 months of the year so will these area's of the city become a ghost town ?

However Aviador Leeds is starting to get a very impressive skyline and I love it.

Image credit to Skychaser 2005 on SSC

 

[Aviador]

I can't argue with that. The skyline views from the M621 are particularly impressive and give some other cities a run for their money.

 

[Brum X]

 

[Aviador]

It does look impressive. I don't know how Leeds compares with other cities but the majority of the skyscrapers are Leeds university developments rather than private office or residential other than the locally famous Bridgewater Place which is mixed residential and office use.

For the benefit of a different conversation @White Heather and @TheLocalYokel This video show perhaps about 50% of the Leeds University impact on the Leeds skyline.

 

[Ianbutty]

I understand what you are saying and there does appear to be a desire to get more students living in Leeds which should be a concern as these area's are empty of Students for circa 2 months of the year so will these area's of the city become a ghost town ?

However Aviador Leeds is starting to get a very impressive skyline and I love it.

Image credit to Skychaser 2005 on SSC

That does look impressive. Height is not the issue: cityscape is. Hope it all comes off.