The 13 most famous Leeds landmarks and the stories behind them including Town Hall clock and Corn Exchange

The Leeds skyline is changing at a rapid pace, but some buildings have become deeply embedded in our city’s identity.

By Abbey Maclure

Published 18th Apr 2023, 04:45 BST

From Victoria-era constructions to more modern builds that have changed the shape of our city, here are 13 landmarks which we think are the most recognisable to people living here.

Here are 13 Leeds landmarks which are deeply embedded in the city's identity - and the stories behind them

1. Famous Leeds landmarks

Here are 13 Leeds landmarks which are deeply embedded in the city's identity - and the stories behind them Photo: National World

Located on Millennium Square, Leeds Civic Hall is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city. It was officially opened by King George V on August 23 1933, costing £360,000 to build, and today is used by Leeds City Council. The golden owls keeping a watchful eye over Millennium Square have become an emblem of Leeds.

2. Leeds Civic Hall owls

Located on Millennium Square, Leeds Civic Hall is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city. It was officially opened by King George V on August 23 1933, costing £360,000 to build, and today is used by Leeds City Council. The golden owls keeping a watchful eye over Millennium Square have become an emblem of Leeds. Photo: Janis Abolins/Adobe Stock

The clock was hung on January 3, 1860, two years after Leeds Town Hall’s official opening - attended by Queen Victoria. The bell tower has 270 stone steps. It was wound mechanically twice a day until it was fitted with electrical winding gear on September 11, 1929. A report on October 18, 1935 has at one time the chimes could be heard as far away as Pudsey, Oakwood and even Harewood Avenue (11 miles away).

3. Town Hall Clock

The clock was hung on January 3, 1860, two years after Leeds Town Hall’s official opening - attended by Queen Victoria. The bell tower has 270 stone steps. It was wound mechanically twice a day until it was fitted with electrical winding gear on September 11, 1929. A report on October 18, 1935 has at one time the chimes could be heard as far away as Pudsey, Oakwood and even Harewood Avenue (11 miles away). Photo: Mark Bickerdike

The iconic clock tower formed part of the headquarters on Wellington Road in the city centre, where the YEP and its sister title, the Yorkshire Post, ran for decades. The site has been derelict since the two daily newspapers upped sticks and moved to a new office on Whitehall Road in 2014. Developers have recently confirmed the tower, which was retained after the old office was demolished, will be taken down as they builds new flats.

4. YEP clock tower

The iconic clock tower formed part of the headquarters on Wellington Road in the city centre, where the YEP and its sister title, the Yorkshire Post, ran for decades. The site has been derelict since the two daily newspapers upped sticks and moved to a new office on Whitehall Road in 2014. Developers have recently confirmed the tower, which was retained after the old office was demolished, will be taken down as they builds new flats. Photo: Andy Manning

The statue of the Black Prince in City Square was commissioned by Thomas Harding, the Mayor of Leeds, to celebrate Leeds' new status as a city. A local champion, such as crusader Henry de Lacy, was rejected in favour of a nationally prominent figure: Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III. The bronze sculpture was unveiled in front of thousands of spectators on City Square in September 1903.

5. The Black Prince statue

The statue of the Black Prince in City Square was commissioned by Thomas Harding, the Mayor of Leeds, to celebrate Leeds' new status as a city. A local champion, such as crusader Henry de Lacy, was rejected in favour of a nationally prominent figure: Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III. The bronze sculpture was unveiled in front of thousands of spectators on City Square in September 1903. Photo: James Hardisty

Flanked by John Lewis, the shopping centre was one of the most eagerly anticipated developments in the whole of the retail world, not just Leeds. Victoria Gate opened in October 2016 and won an award for 'Best Shopping Centre' in 2017. The striking design is a modern interpretation of the neighbouring Victoria Quarter and has quickly become a landmark building in the city.

6. Victoria Gate

Flanked by John Lewis, the shopping centre was one of the most eagerly anticipated developments in the whole of the retail world, not just Leeds. Victoria Gate opened in October 2016 and won an award for 'Best Shopping Centre' in 2017. The striking design is a modern interpretation of the neighbouring Victoria Quarter and has quickly become a landmark building in the city. Photo: James Hardisty

Leeds Town Hall