Quarry House in Leeds. PIC: Mike Cowling

Quarry House in Leeds. PIC: Mike Cowling

Go inside 'The Kremlin' - Leeds Quarry House during the 1990s

It's the building whose architecture divides opinion among Leeds residents.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 16th Jun 2020, 16:45 GMT

Whether you it love or loathe it Quarry House - nicknamed 'The Kremlin' - has now been part of the cityscape for more than 20 years. It opened in July 1993 at a cost of £55 million providing new headquarters for the Department of Health and Social Security and housing 2,000 staff. Enjoy these photos hidden in the YEP archive from back in the day. CHANGING LEEDS: Dark Arches | Briggate | The Headrow | Boar Lane | Vicar Lane LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join the Leeds Retro facebook group

A model from February 1990 of how the finished building would look.

1. Quarry House

A model from February 1990 of how the finished building would look.

Have you spotted him yet? A workman begins the long haul on the way to the top of the Quarry House development in May 1991.

2. Quarry House

Have you spotted him yet? A workman begins the long haul on the way to the top of the Quarry House development in May 1991.

Quarry House under construction in early September 1992. It was due to open in February 1993.

3. Quarry House

Quarry House under construction in early September 1992. It was due to open in February 1993.

Quarry House under construction.

4. Quarry House

Quarry House under construction.

A special camera lens adds a sparkle to this night time view of Quarry House when under construction in November 1991.

5. Quarry House

A special camera lens adds a sparkle to this night time view of Quarry House when under construction in November 1991.

Visitors were greeted by a specially-woven water theme carpet in the foyer.

6. Quarry House

Visitors were greeted by a specially-woven water theme carpet in the foyer.

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