Book celebrates city’s transformation

MORE than 200 people, including senior business figures from across the region, attended the launch of a book that celebrates the work of civic architect John Thorp.

Titled ‘From the Tile to the City’, the book is a journey through civic architecture and design in the city of Leeds.

As Leeds City Council’s civic architect, Mr Thorp, until his recent retirement, spent 40 years working on the transformation of Leeds from an industrial  city to a 21st century commercial centre.

The book, commissioned by the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Charitable Foundation in association with Leeds City Council, goes on sale today and is available from the Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds City Museum shops priced at £20.

All proceeds will go to The Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal, which is supporting Voluntary Action Leeds. 

Every high school, sixth form college, further and higher education institute and the universities in Leeds is to be given a copy for their library.

The book includes examples of architecture, urban design and regeneration from across the city.

Edward Ziff, trustee of the Foundation and chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities, said:
“We have been delighted to assist in the production of this book in recognition of our family’s association with the city of Leeds over half a century. We believe ‘From the Tile to the City’ will become essential reading as an approach to city making.

Mr Thorp said: “Leeds has both a richness in its architectural character and a great diversity within its broad, landscape setting – qualities which distinguish it from many other cities.”