Built on the site of the former Morley sewage works in March 1997, the shopping centre was the first of its kind in Leeds. Residents in the south of the city watched as the £64million pound development sprung to life, a 76-acre site equivalent to the size of 246 Olympic swimming pools. There have been a raft of changes over the last 26 years, but here is what the centre looked like in its opening week.
All images courtesy of White Rose.
1. White Rose in 1997
The White Rose shopping centre is celebrating its 26th birthday this month Photo: White Rose
2. White Rose in 1997
White Rose was opened on March 25, 1997, a £64 million pound development on the site of the former Morley sewage works. Photo: White Rose
3. White Rose in 1997
Works commenced to build White Rose on July 10, 1995, and took 87 weeks. Photo: White Rose
4. White Rose in 1997
1.3 million bricks were used during construction. If placed end to end, these would cover 2,020 miles - the same distance from Morley to Tenerife. Photo: White Rose
5. White Rose in 1997
Twice as much steel was used in the construction of White Rose than Blackpool Tower. Photo: White Rose
6. White Rose in 1997
White Rose diverts 100 per cent of its waste from landfill – more than 70 per cent of waste produced on-site is recycled Photo: White Rose