Groundwork starts on a plethora of Leeds towers

The tallest, second tallest and fourth tallest buildings in Leeds have all seen a commencement of ground preparation work this month, as the current tallest, Bridgwater Place nears completion.

Phase 2 of the Plaza being developed by specialist student accommodation provider Unite Group has been due to start on site this summer following completion of the 15 storey first phase in September 2006. Phase 2 was always intended to be a taller element; designed by Carey Jones Architects, it was originally proposed at 25 storeys high, later increased to 28, and following a complete redesign rose to 37 storeys.

This design was finally approved earlier this year clearing the way for the anticipated start on site. The building is quoted as being the tallest dedicated student building in the UK, and in its location on a 30m high elevated area in north central Leeds, will certainly make a tall and slender impact on the rapidly changing city skyline.

The building is just a stones throw from a second major student accommodation tower being developed by rival specialist student accommodation provider Opal Group, which at 26 storeys is already making its appearance on the Leeds skyline with the central structural core already at full height.

Within a matter of days, work had also started on clearing the site of the most eagerly anticipated project in the region; the two Lumiere towers. Being developed jointly by local property firm K W Linfoot and Scarborough Development Group, the larger of these towers will, as things stand, be the tallest UK building outside London with 54 storeys at 171m, which will top Architect Ian Simpsons current tallest Manchesters Beetham Tower by 2m.

Lumiere is to be built by Carillion with WSP as the structural and services engineers, which effectively formulates the same team that worked on the Manchester Beetham Tower project, bringing the obvious benefits of a proven team structure and applying lessons already learned to such a complex project.

The site programme is lengthy, with an anticipated duration of at least three years, by which time the tallest title may well be lost to other projects currently on drawing boards around the UK. However, this scheme will definitely put Leeds on the modern architectural map, something the local city council are keen to see as part of their goal to develop Leeds into a major European city.

Other significant projects already commenced this year includes ISIS riverside Granary Wharf scheme, which incorporates a mid rise hotel, residential building and a striking 22 storey cylindrical residential tower, designed by Carey Jones Architects. Laing ORourke are currently on site installing sheet piling in the early stages of construction.

Also recently starting on site is a 16 storey residential building, directly adjacent to the West Yorkshire Playhouse, in the citys cultural quarter. This scheme designed by Brewster Bye Architects includes 128 apartments and is due to be completed in 2009.