Another city skyscraper is axed

PLANS to build another Leeds skyscraper have been dropped following the slump in the property market.

The £115m Criterion Place “Kissing Towers” scheme has been cancelled just a week after KW Linfoot put construction of Lumiere, Europe’s tallest residential development, on hold blaming the credit crunch.

The company behind the plan, Simons Developments, wanted to revise the scheme because it said the original plan was no longer commercially viable.

But Leeds City Council’s executive board has decided to terminate the contract.

The site off Sovereign Street, once occupied by the Queens Hall, will now continue to be used for car parking.

Simons wanted to build a 47-storey tower next to a 27-storey tower and provide 301 apartments, a 161-bed hotel, shops and car parking.

The collapse of the scheme follows soon after the 952-home Lumiere scheme on Wellington Street was put on hold and the 24-storey Spiracle – planned for the International Pool site – was scrapped.

Both Lumiere and Criterion Place were designed by Manchester-based Ian Simpson Architects.

Deputy council leader Andrew Carter, who is in charge of development matters, said the council now had the chance to look at other options for a valuable site.

Mark Newton, development director of Simons Developments, said: “It is unfortunate that due to current market conditions the Criterion Place development is no longer viable.

“The city council in consultation with ourselves and our development partner, Dandara, has decided to terminate the contract for the scheme.
“While we are disappointed, we support the council’s decision to do what is economically right for the city at a time of uncertainty.

“We hope that when the market improves, the future of Criterion Place can be re-assessed and the potential of this prime location realised.”