Plans submitted for transformation of one of Leeds city centre’s oldest streets
A planning application has been submitted for the transformation of one of Leeds city centre’s oldest streets.
The major mixed-use scheme for 101/104 Kirkgate and the Crown Street Car Park completes a series of planning applications by site owner Cityfusion for what is the largest landholding within the Lower Kirkgate area.
Designed by Think Architecture, the 100,000 sq ft scheme comprises Crown Square, 80 new build apartments in four buildings, a new public square between the Corn Exchange and the First White Cloth Hall and a new pedestrianised street, featuring retail and leisure space for independent businesses, behind the existing Kirkgate frontage.
The scheme is designed to integrate with the planning consent for the restoration of Kirkgate obtained by Cityfusion earlier in the year, their application for the restoration of the infamous Crown & Fleece public house and the restoration of First White Cloth Hall, being undertaken by Rushbond.
This key site completes the pedestrian linkages between Leeds Waterfront, Kirkgate Market, the Victoria Gate, Trinity and Corn Exchange shopping centres and Leeds bus and railway stations.
Paul Nathan-Geary, of Geary & Associates advising Cityfusion, said: “The site is steeped in history and the proposals blend complimentary and sensitively designed new build space into the historic grain of restored heritage buildings. The site is the original home of Leeds commerce and the mercantile classes and the re-introduction of high quality residential accommodation into the heart of this site will ensure Crown Square and Kirkgate once again becomes the city living location of choice.
“Residents and local businesses will have the benefit of a secure privately managed estate, gardens and public realm, on the doorstep of the Corn Exchange, Leeds Markets, Leeds Minster and the Arts District as well as an array of on-site services, including a community pub infamous for the mystery of the “Kirkgate Skulls!”
First White Cloth Hall proposed designs
The Grade Two listed First White Cloth Hall is one of the most significant historical buildings in Leeds and images of its planned transformation have now been revealed. It will include a rebuild of the West Wing and northern elevation, as well as the re-creation of the single, undivided assembly room space.
A lightweight structure will enclose the central courtyard to reveal the building’s historic form, and a contemporarily-designed cube on the southern elevation will provide a new physical and visual link to the Corn Exchange.
The scheme is designed by Manchester-based Buttress and subject to approval, work is expected to start early in 2018.
The Hall’s revival is being led by Leeds-based property company Rushbond, working closely with Leeds City Council, Historic England and the Leeds Civic Trust.
Mark Finch, director of Rushbond, said: “The revival of the First White Cloth Hall, where commerce in Leeds first began, will be pivotal to the ongoing revival of Kirkgate — the city’s oldest street. Our approach has to be to understand and learn from its rich and fascinating history and then set a clear direction and role for this unique building to have a new and exciting future.
“There are lots of great things happening in Kirkgate by lots of different people. The oldest street in Leeds now has new stories to tell. This is also a unique opportunity for a new occupier to help write the next chapter in the First White Cloth Hall’s story.
“Although the revived building will lend itself to a variety of uses, the prospect of the Hall being part of the burgeoning fashion scene in Leeds is a particularly enticing one. Arguably, it is where fashion in Leeds began!”
The story of the First White Cloth Hall started in 1711; it was built in response to the news that a covered cloth market was being planned by the merchants of Wakefield in a bid to tempt trade away from Leeds. The Hall was hugely successful, and was soon replaced by a larger facility — the Second White Cloth Hall on Meadow Lane. The First White Cloth Hall has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 1999.
Martin Hamilton, director of Leeds Civic Trust said: “Leeds Civic Trust has been campaigning for years for the First White Cloth Hall to be brought back to its former glory after falling into disrepair. We are delighted that this scheme — a subtle combination of restoration and refurbishment together with sensitive modern interventions to ensure that the building is practical and usable in the 21st century — could start on the ground early next year.”
