The Grade II-listed Monk Bridge viaduct, near Whitehall Road, had been disused since the 1960s. In 2019, work began on a huge redevelopment, building a high-rise residential and office scheme.
As part of the scheme, the viaduct itself is being transformed into a greenway and pedestrian path, while the archways beneath will be home to bars, restaurants and shops.
And the secret urban garden is now open to the public. We take a look around...
1. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
The Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden is accessed via a staircase and lift in a car park off Whitehall Road, next to the Whitehall Place development Photo: Steve Riding
2. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
The urban park is inspired by the 'High Line' in New York, a 1.45-mile-long park built on disused railway in New York City, itself based on a similar scheme completed in Paris Photo: Steve Riding
3. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
While the High Line in New York is a longer stretch than Leeds' greenway, the Monk Bridge viaduct is much wider - as wide as Briggate Photo: Steve Riding
4. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
Developers have retained original features of the Monk Bridge railway line, including this signal box Photo: Steve Riding
5. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
Designed by Thomas Grainger in 1846, the old railway line goes over the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Photo: Steve Riding
