The Junction represents an early entrant into Leeds’ BtR market, providing 665 homes set amongst a new landscape ‘high-line’ and commensurate commercial/retail opportunities.
The design is focused around the grade II listed Monk Bridge viaduct, discussed and increasingly decrepit since 1967, which serves to form one of the boundaries to the site alongside the canal and the East-West mainline. Early in the design process it was decided to embrace the viaduct and turn it into the main access to the development, creating a continuation of the main axis through the CJCT masterplanned Wellington Place. By creating a raised access route into the development, it allowed all the ancillary accommodation (parking, plant, bins and bicycles) to be buried below the buildings, with the new route along the viaduct being turned into an elevated landscaped park.
The project was designed around the idea of five buildings supported by the viaduct as a piece of continuity landscape, each block would take it’s own identity with a specific use; variously containing communal amenity & concierge services, indoor gym, private dining, outdoor gym and a large communal unit. The buildings step in height towards the city centre rising from 10 storeys to 22 storeys alongside the Leeds Liverpool canal. As a practice we are interested in the idea that buildings change cities, not drawings alone and to that extent we always attempt to produce viable schemes; at the outset viability was discussed and there was a focus on providing the highest quality at levels where it can be touched and seen.
The key to unlocking the site was ultimately the acceptance that the viaduct was not a ‘problem’ but could instead be seen as an asset to the development. In viewing it as such it drove the scheme forward and, as is necessary in BtR development, gave the project a degree of uniqueness. This approach was rigorously tested at the design and planning stage and was well received by both the client and the local authority.
The Junction has already made an enormous impact on both Leeds and the wider county. As a region, we are blessed with a significant number of notable and valued heritage assets and seeing what can be achieved if these assets are embraced as a design driver rather than a barrier to development should be commended. At a macro level the approach taken here should serve as an example of what can be done in a commercially viable manner whilst still respecting the value of our region’s heritage.
At a local level The Junction has had the effect of extending the city south and west adding much needed housing into the city centre. It continues the historic grain that we established at Wellington Place and knits together several disparate sites. As a consequence of The Junction’s redevelopment of the viaduct high-line adjacent sites have become viable with investment from outside the region coming in to develop a further 961 homes on HUB Residential’s Latitude sites.
Since the buildings were handed over and Native began to operate The Junction, we have already seen it become an important development within the city centre; it has already become fully let and well used within it’s first year of opening. The high-line has also become a notable landmark which has been well-used and publicised on social media whilst also forming the background to important events in the city.
