Stretching
ever higher in its ambition to become a more
dynamic, thrusting, twenty-first century
city, for the immediate future, this development
will be Leeds Tallest Building.
The
city’s image is forged by its architecture
as much as anything, and particularly by
high profile buildings such as this. But
tall buildings have wider implications than
their image. They cast long shadows. They
create wind turbulence. They affect panoramic
views and can dominate historic buildings.
The
City's Trust’s Planning Committee headed
up by Peter Baker
Chairman, Planning Committee had two presentations
of the scheme from the architects, Abbey Holford
Rowe. In the absence of contextual images, shadow
diagrams, wind tests and a tall buildings policy
for Leeds, the proposal was originally objected.
But approval was rushed through.
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This
development is
one of become Leeds' tallest office and residential
address, a 30 storey tower.
The majority of the tower will
be residential, with the upper 22 floors dedicated
to luxury loft-style apartments.
Full planning consent has been given for the
building, which, at 110 metres high, will dominate
the Leeds skyline once it is completed.
The
tallest building in Leeds at present is West
Riding House at 80 metres.
is
thought to be the tallest building in
the North once it is completed.
Once
here you may never want to leave, but just in
case, the M1 north-south and M621 east-west
motorways are a stones throw away allowing easy
access to towns and cities across the UK.
Leeds/Bradford
International Airport is approximately 10 miles
from the city and provides daily scheduled flights
to many national and international destinations.
This
approval will no doubt set a precedent –
watch out for more tall building applications.
The Trust will now have to wait for the finished
article to judge its impact on the locality
and the city, how it will feel to walk alongside
its sheer walls on a windy day, whether the
atrium will prove to be a pedestrian attraction,
and even what materials will be used to build
it. |
