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Leeds's Favourite Building: Broadcasting Place and Leeds Cathedral
The YEP is leading a search to find Leeds's favourite building – and every day this week, we're revealing the shortlist. Today's buildings are Leeds Cathedral and Leeds Metropolitan University's Faculty of Arts and Society at Broadcasting Place. Suzanne McTaggart reports.
As a historic religious monument and a 21st century student hub, the two buildings featured in Wednesday's YEP could not be more different.
* CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR BROADCASTING HOUSE.
* CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR LEEDS CATHEDRAL.
But both have been nominated in our search to find Leeds's favourite building.
The current Leeds Cathedral, formally named St Anne's Cathedral, was built between 1901 and 1904 on Great George Street, in the heart of the city centre. The building, designed by John Henry Eastwood, replaced the former cathedral, which opened in 1838.
The church, which was raised to cathedral status in 1878 on the creation of the Diocese of Leeds, was dedicated to St Anne in honour of Anne Humble, the late sister of Grace and Sarah Humble, who were the principal benefactors.
The historic building was nominated by YEP reader Philip Wade, of Seacroft, Leeds, who said: "I think it is a fantastic example of Arts and Crafts Gothic, which was in fashion in this country from about 1890 to 1910.
"I think it is like Dr Who's Tardis, in that it is surprisingly larger inside than you would think from the outside. To me, it's a beautiful, light and tranquil space and a welcome retreat from the busy city of Leeds."
Broadcasting Place – the home of Leeds Metropolitan University's Faculty of Arts and Society – has been described as one of the most notable additions to the Leeds skyline in decades, built on the site of the former BBC studios on Woodhouse Lane.
The BBC moved onto the site in 1933, following the growth of radio during the inter-war years, before moving back to Leeds city centre in 2006.
The university's new development, which opened in September, includes a 23-storey accommodation tower providing 240 student bedrooms, open plan studios, offices, a cafe and exhibition space and a University Helpzone.
The building was the only one in our shortlist to be nominated by two readers, Nathan Dainty of Kirkstall and Jim Roche of Little London.
Mr Dainty said: "The quirky rust-clad building really comes in to its own in the autumn months and complements the golden leaves on its surrounding trees. It has a real Marmite factor to it because people are so divided on whether they love or hate it."
In his entry, Mr Roche said: "If you get up close and have a walk around, the ever-changing shape of the building is breathtaking.
"From afar, I have seen it transform into a Scottie dog, a snake about to strike, and a jumble of Rubik's cubes."
Leeds Town Hall, Grand Theatre, Civic Hall and Leeds Bridge House were the first four entries in our search for Leeds's favourite building.
On Friday, once we have revealed all the shortlisted buildings, a vote will be held in the paper and online at this website.
* Click here for latest YEP news. The winner will be announced at the Leeds Architecture Awards on January 28, 2010.
The awards are jointly promoted by Leeds City Council and the Leeds Chamber Property Forum, in association with the Leeds Society of Architects, the Landscape Institute, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and Leeds Civic Trust.
l Read tomorrow’s YEP or visit www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk to find out the next two buildings in the shortlist.
suzanne.mctaggart@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
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Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
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