City Living - Leeds city centre property

Feature Alan Bennett joins debate over Royal Park School

The famous Leeds playwright gets behind boycotting of plans for student flats

For 6 years now, Royal Park School in Hyde Park has stood empty and dilapidated. It’s yet another eyesore for Leeds, a city subject to constant lobbying for the regeneration of countless sites. Like so many of these blots on Leeds’ landscape, the building has the potential to be so much more.

It sits at the bottom of Royal Park Road, the main road which leads immediately to the heart of Hyde Park from Leeds University and the city centre. Visible from the former school, and less than a 2 minute walk away on the adjoining Queens   Road, are…

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The Real Estate Gaynor Barrett, Linley & Simpson

We pick the brains of Leeds' premier estate agents

Name: Gaynor Barrett
Job title: Branch Manager, Linley & Simpson

What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis?
I manage the city centre branch and it’s a very busy office, so the ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment helps. No two days are the same, which is why I love the job so much. I carry out appraisals, viewings, check-outs and help out the team as and when it’s required. Liaising with landlords and tenants, checking references… the list is endless.

Have you always worked in the property industry?
No, my background…

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Interview George Payne, Sky Plaza

We get a glimpse of 21st century student living

What subject are you studying and what made you choose that course?
I’m studying physics with astrophysics. I chose physics because I studied it at A-level and really enjoyed it, and wanted to know more about it. It’s also a really worthwhile degree and can provide amazing opportunities. I’ve had an interest in astronomy since I was quite young, so it seemed the perfect degree for me.

Where are you from originally and how does it compare with Leeds?
I’m originally from Hawkhurst in Kent, so it’s very different from living in Leeds. At home, my nearest big…

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Wish You Were Here Simpsons Fold

Poke your nose round the door of the hottest city centre properties

Price: £1,350 per calendar month

Location: Simpsons Fold is a sympathetically converted mill building in a lovely part of Leeds, which combines the best aspects of urban living with the welcome addition of some natural beauty, thanks to the river nearby. Up-market apartment complexes share this part of town with some truly historic buildings, and, for a relatively small area, there really is a fantastic range of amenities on the doorstep.

What’s inside? This is a spectacular two-bedroom apartment, with a huge living space and impressive full-length floor to ceiling windows across the width of the lounge and dining area,…

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Knowledge Shadow Cast Over Lumiere

Iconic skyscraper plans hit new snag

Lumiere, the twin-tower skyscraper planned for Wellington Street, has hit another setback. The latest twist in the ongoing saga means that the important city centre site, located in the financial district a mere stroll away from the train station, is still nothing more than a gaping chasm - and no-one quite knows what its future holds.

Formal permission for the development with towers of 54 storeys and 32 storeys was originally granted by Leeds City Council back in 2007 and work on the foundations began. An amended planning application was then submitted in 2008 by co-developers KW Linfoot and Frasers…

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Wish You Were Here Waterman's Place, Granary Wharf

Poke your nose round the door of the hottest city centre properties

Price: £135,000

Location: A historic district that happens to be one of the most fashionable parts of the city right now. Situated by the canal dockside at Granary Wharf, this area is awash with wonderful old buildings as well as this eye-catching new development.

What’s inside? This is a one-bedroom apartment on the third floor of the building, with the added bonus of a balcony overlooking the public realm and docks. The property features oak wood flooring, a carpet in the bedroom, tiled bathroom, well appointed kitchen with dishwasher, oven, hob and extractor, granite worktop, microwave and fridge/freezer. As if…

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Foundations Grand Theatre & Opera House

Simon O'Hare takes a closer look at one of the region's most historic theatres

The Grand Theatre has given the people of Leeds the chance to see performances by some of the true greats of showbusiness over the years: Morecambe & Wise, Laurence Olivier and Julie Andrews are among those who have played to rapturous audiences inside the fantastic auditorium.

Constructed in 1878, the Grand Theatre is one of the great Victorian buildings still standing in the city, and to this day it continues to play host to all kinds of theatrical, musical, dance and comedy performances, attracting local and international stars to its stage. The neighbouring Howard Assembly Rooms was also reopened this…

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Knowledge Alan Bennett Piazza

Local architects unveil groundbreaking design for 36 The Calls

If you haven’t walked down The Calls for a while, you probably won’t be aware that there is now a massive statue of the Leeds-born writer Alan Bennett towering above the surrounding buildings. Just look at these photos - looks great doesn’t it?

Okay, that’s not entirely true - the Alan Bennett Piazza does not really exist. Not yet, at least. These fantastic images are the handiwork of Garnett Netherwood Architects, who have entered a competition being run by Citu Ltd that invites companies to design a new building at 36 The Calls, which is currently home to Calls Landing’s…

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Foundations Leeds Town Hall

Simon O'Hare looks at a building that's no small beer

Poor old Cuthbert Brodrick. You devote most of your adult life to becoming one of the best local architects of your era, honing your craft and designing some pretty amazing buildings in the process. Skip forward 100 years after your death and what do most people in the city associate you with? Cheap beer. All that architectural skill, all that hard work, and that’s your legacy. Curry nights, and cheap beer. We are of course talking about the man who designed Leeds Town Hall, but who today is perhaps best known as a Wetherspoons pub situated on the edge of…

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Wish You Were Here Skyline, St Peter's Square

Poke your nose round the door of the hottest city centre properties

Price: £750 per calendar month

Location: A thriving cultural quarter of the city in which you’ll find the regional BBC headquarters, the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Leeds College of Music. Transport links are also top-notch here, with easy access to the road network, and the bus station is on the doorstep (not literally).

What’s inside? This is a two-bedroom property on the sixth level of a 14-floor building, featuring enviable city views and a pleasantly spacious feel throughout. In addition to the two bedrooms, you’ve got a well appointed kitchen and bathroom and the apartment is fully furnished, including a…

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