Plans were discussed for a 23 storey landmark city centre skyscraper in March 1938. The 3,000 square yard site stretched from Briggate to Trinity Street, between Nelson's Yard and Upton's Yard. The skyscraper was very ambitious in design with an unbroken elevation of 255', making it 35' higher than the dome of Leeds Town hall and twice the height of the Queens Hotel. Unfortunately the project was abandoned due to the onset of World War II.placeholder image
Plans were discussed for a 23 storey landmark city centre skyscraper in March 1938. The 3,000 square yard site stretched from Briggate to Trinity Street, between Nelson's Yard and Upton's Yard. The skyscraper was very ambitious in design with an unbroken elevation of 255', making it 35' higher than the dome of Leeds Town hall and twice the height of the Queens Hotel. Unfortunately the project was abandoned due to the onset of World War II.

8 forgotten Leeds schemes - including the Briggate skyscraper that never was

Alex Grant
By Alex Grant

Senior Reporter

Published 31st Jan 2023, 16:30 GMT

Leeds has seen plenty of successful projects over the years – but whatever happened to those schemes that never quite came to fruition.

Schemes ranged from multiple skyscrapers that never reached the sky and the many guises of the city’s ever illusive tram system.

Here are eight forgotten Leeds schemes that could have changed things.

International hotel chain Hilton had planned to occupy a 16-storey hotel proposed for Portland Crescent, close to the First Direct Arena. Initial planning permission was granted in 2009, but by 2011 no work had begun. Construction finally started in 2013, but was halted in 2015 when the contractors, GB Building Solutions, entered administration.

7. Leeds Arena Hotel

International hotel chain Hilton had planned to occupy a 16-storey hotel proposed for Portland Crescent, close to the First Direct Arena. Initial planning permission was granted in 2009, but by 2011 no work had begun. Construction finally started in 2013, but was halted in 2015 when the contractors, GB Building Solutions, entered administration. Photo: James Hardisty

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Presented as an alternative to the failed Supertram scheme, the trolleybus system was to be similar to the one operating in the French city of Lyon. It was to be powered electrically by overhead wires and would involve eight stages of the 14km line. Despite support from local council, the public backlash won the argument as the Government scrapped the scheme in May 2016.

8. The Leeds Trolleybus

Presented as an alternative to the failed Supertram scheme, the trolleybus system was to be similar to the one operating in the French city of Lyon. It was to be powered electrically by overhead wires and would involve eight stages of the 14km line. Despite support from local council, the public backlash won the argument as the Government scrapped the scheme in May 2016. Photo: Stock

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