'Knock it down or give it TLC': 7 eyesores in Leeds that readers want to see redeveloped... or torn down
From forgotten heritage structures and derelict cinemas to central shopping hubs, local residents have had their say on the 7 city sites most in need of attention - or more drastic action
Every major city has its architectural sore spots, abandoned developments, and historic landmarks left begging for a fresh lease of life.
Leeds is no exception - though the number of cranes and cling-film-covered buildings would suggest otherwise.
After asking Yorkshire Evening Post readers to name the biggest eyesores across the city that they would love to see tackled on our Facebook page, locals jumped into the comments to point out the buildings, streets, and structures most in need of restoration.
While some considered Leeds itself worthy of being torn down, others point to certain areas in the city, with calls for one landmark to be sorted out, leaving some of us in the newsroom aghast at the prospect.
Here are the seven prominent sites and urban issues highlighted by our readers that need to be tackled across Leeds - either through redevelopment or tearing it to the ground and starting again.
Seven eyesores YEP readers think should be redeveloped (or just torn down)
Historic Kirkgate
Despite ongoing council-led heritage restoration projects along Leeds' oldest street, the bottom end of Kirkgate remains a major point of contention for residents.
Readers including Sean Boyd, Eve Tidswell, and Rick Poppa all singled out "Kirkgate" as a primary concern, pointing to the stark contrast between the city's modern retail core and the remaining shuttered facades along the historic thoroughfare.
Quarry House
The massive 1990s Department for Work and Pensions complex in Eastgate - famously dubbed "The Kremlin" by locals - was raised for its imposing visual presence on the city skyline.
Reader MT Taylor was clear in their assessment, commenting that Quarry House has been "crying out for demolition since it opened," with others suggesting a major exterior facelift would better integrate it into surrounding developments.
St John’s Centre
St John’s Centre remains a busy, popular shopping destination that thousands of locals frequent every week for high street essentials. However, some readers feel the exterior architecture itself is ready for a modern makeover.
Commenting on the central shopping hub, reader Charles Powell noted that while the location is well-loved, the building itself is in need of a new lease of life.
Hunslet Clock Tower
Unlike purely negative entries, the historic Hunslet Clock Tower on Low Road was raised out of genuine affection - with residents making a strong case for its full restoration.
Championing the local landmark, reader Ian Richards said: "I love that thing, Hunslet wouldn’t be the same without it! But it needs some TLC," adding that he would "love to see it functioning again."
Leeds Town Hall Lions
As major multi-million-pound restoration works continue inside and outside the iconic 160-year-old Leeds Town Hall, the famous stone lions guarding the front steps also caught readers' attention.
Highlighting the historic statues, reader Richard Cawood commented simply that the "Town Hall lions need a facelift" to match the ongoing transformation of the building.
Old ABC Cinema (Vicar Lane)
The long-derelict former ABC Cinema building on Vicar Lane was highlighted by culture fans and city history enthusiasts who hate seeing prime central property sitting vacant.
Included in recent YEP round-ups of derelict Leeds buildings awaiting regeneration, reader John Wood urged action on the site, noting that the "old ABC cinema needs redeveloping."
The Former YEP Clock Tower
In an ironic twist that left a few of us in the newsroom shocked, dozens of readers pointed directly to the remaining clock tower on our former site off Wellington Street - a landmark that the Yorkshire Evening Post has previously launched a campaign to see restored and given a new lease of life.
Left standing as a solitary structure following the demolition of the main newspaper building, the tower split opinion.
David Ardern, Simon Ellner, Martin Leodis, and Karl Skirrow all called out the former YEP site, with Steven Markey commenting: "Never understood why it was just left to fall apart."
Paul Downes took a more drastic view, adding: "Knock the Evening Post clock tower down, for the love of God. It's not nostalgia, it's an eyesore."
We’re still reeling after that last comment