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| Criterion Place |
| Information |
| Location |
Sovereign Street, Leeds, England |
| Status |
Proposed |
| Constructed |
2008 - 2011 |
| Roof |
180 metres (591 ft) |
| Floor count |
53 |
| Companies |
| Architect |
Ian Simpson |
| Developer |
Simons Developments |
Criterion Place is a proposed skyscraper development in Leeds, England.
[edit] Background
The site, which is surrounded by Neville Street, Sovereign Street, Swinegate and Leeds City railway station, was home to the Queens Hall, a venue that formerly hosted events such as exhibitions, flea markets and concerts, that was demolished in the 1980s. Since demolition, the site was used as a surface level car park. Early proposals for development on the site had included, in 1994, plans for an office building designed by Norman Foster of about 60m - 70m in height to house Royal London Insurance. This development, however, did not go ahead but some small scale development on part of the car park was developed in recent years which included an office building for British Telecom and construction of a multi-storey car park with a restaurant on the ground floor.
[edit] Current proposals
In 2004, proposals were unveiled for large scale development on the site. This was originally from a competition by Leeds City Council for the development for the site that included plans of a 32 storey tower by Rushbond & DLA Architects and another proposal for a 22 storey tower by DTR:UK. These two proposals had lost out to a twin tower scheme by Ian Simpson to be developed by Simons Estates which had proposed a scheme comprising of two glass towers of 47 storeys (160 m) and 29 storeys (105 m). This proposal comprised 326 apartments, offices and a 186 room hotel and was expected to cost £115 million. However, in November 2007 a new proposal was lodged for a similar design but comprising two towers of 53 storeys (180 m) and 33 storeys (118 m). If constructed according to these revised proposals, the development would exceed the height of Lumiere to become the tallest building in Leeds and Western Europe's tallest residential skyscraper. Currently, the start of the development is uncertain but is expected to start in 2008.
Proposed height of the completed Criterion Place, compared to the height of other existing and approved tall buildings in Leeds.
[edit] Enabling works
In September 2007, engineers could be seen undertaking survey work to establish the position of existing services in the vicinity of the proposed site. Markings were applied to the Queens Hall car park, Sovereign Street, Swinegate and Pitt Row to indicate the presence of various services. Bore hole work was then undertaken at several locations in the car park.
[edit] External links
