Leeds hotel 42 The Calls has been put up for sale, years after it closed for a luxury refurbishment.
The landmark waterfront building on the banks of the River Aire was rescued from administration by local entrepreneur Simon Pollard back in 2018.
It had also been home to much-loved local restaurant Brasserie Forty 4 for almost three decades, which closed around this time.
42 The Calls operated as a hotel for around a year after Pollard acquired it, before closing for refurbishment in 2019.
The vision was to create a new luxury five star hotel, complete with rooftop champagne bar, with dreams to be open for business by 2021.
But Covid struck, the world slowed, and 42 The Calls never actually reopened.
Now a huge for sale sign has appeared on the side of the 28,000 sq ft building seeking potential buyers to complete its five-star luxury redevelopment.
As well as the 37-bedroom hotel filled with lavish suites, the building includes a riverside dining space and a range of entertaining spaces.
CGI plans for 42 The Calls hotel in Leeds. Credit: 42 The CallsThe proposed rooftop champagne bar. Credit: 42 The Calls
The vision board for 42 The Calls even includes the option for guests to arrive in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, or by the hotel’s own Riva boat which will pick you up from the train station and take you on a river cruise to the hotel, arriving to a glass of champagne.
The hotel listing says: "Originally built in the 18th century, this Grade II listed site is a fantastic waterfront location that's steeped in local history, renovated as Leeds' first boutique hotel in 1991."
The listing also states that this is an opportunity to 'rekindle 42 The Calls Hotel as the finest destination in Leeds'.
The landmark sale includes planning permission valid until January 2025.
When The Hoot shared a video of the empty 42 The Calls building earlier this year, we were flooded with comments crying out for it to reopen.
The for sale sign at 42 The Calls in Leeds
One person wrote: “Absolutely agree, superb potential, prominent location. Shame that its redevelopment appears to have stagnated.”
Another said: “Yes it's got so much potential. Don't think its previous owners made the most of it either.”
Someone else commented: “Used to work in brasserie 44.. such a shame to see it still empty and unloved.”
Hopefully this sale will finally see the wheels turning at 42 The Calls again.
This modern restaurant in the heart of Leeds is redefining how we enjoy Indian cuisine.
If you haven't already dined at Kerala Canteen, then you are sincerely missing out.
Offering South Indian dining like you've never seen before, Kerala Canteen is the world's first Kerala tapas restaurant where guests can enjoy multiple dishes in one sitting.
And it's not just us who thinks it's class, the restaurant has earned recognition as one of the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, ranked among the Top 3 Indian restaurants in Leeds & Yorkshire, and awarded Best Restaurant by North Magazine — cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Image: Supplied
So, how does it work? Kerala Canteen isn't your traditional curry house, but the concept means you get to try more of the menu in one go.
Guests are encouraged to start with small plates and move onto curry bowls before sharing a biryani per person and ending with a delicious dessert.
The kitchen is led by renowned chef Bobby Geetha, known for appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.
Image: Supplied
Working alongside him is Abdulkhader Allingal Siddique, whose Michelin-starred kitchen background and deep-rooted Kerala heritage promise authenticity.
Together, they make the perfect dream team in the kitchen.
There's a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu too so no one in your party has to miss out, with dishes like the chilli and tamarind cauliflower and gunpowder hasselback potatoes being standouts on the menu.
Visit on a Saturday and get involved in their iconic Bollywood Bottomless Brunch where for just £36 per person you can enjoy one bowl and one side alongside 90 minutes of free flowing drinks.
Image: Supplied
You can choose from prosecco, draught beer, cocktails, mocktails - trust us, the list is endless. And you can enjoy it all whilst bopping along to the best Bollywood beats. Find out more about the brunch here.
Visiting on a Sunday? You have to try their iconic T-Bone Sunday Roast experience, featuring a slow-braised T-bone steak finished in rich beef & bone marrow curry, paired with Yorkshire pudding and gunpowder potatoes. You'll never look at your mum's Sunday roast the same again.
Image: Supplied
Kerala Canteen also offers a private event space for your next big celebration that seats up to 100 guests with custom tapas menu and corporate dining packages available.
Located right next to Leeds Playhouse, it's the perfect spot for those visiting the city centre.
To book your table, take a look at Kerala Canteen's website - thank us later.
Salon Madre – the new tequila bar and pool hall that’s just opened in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
We’ve been waiting for this one and trust us, it’s just as good as we’d hoped.
If you’re a fan of a cheeky margarita, a taco and a bit of a boogie then this is the spot for you - and let’s be honest, who isn’t.
Introducing Salon Madre, made famous over in Manchester and now with another spot in Liverpool, think late nights fuelled by margaritas, cosy dates over tacos and lively game nights.
The new Leeds site is located on Wellington Street, perfect for those wrapping up work over on Wellington Place and looking to blow off some steam.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is huge, with floor to ceiling windows letting loads of light in during the day and plenty of red neon lights setting the vibe for the evening.
There's about 20 different variations of margaritas and tequilas on the menu, as well as fresh Mexican beers on tap if you're not ready for a shot just yet.
But it's not just about the drink, the food menu is top notch too.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's tacos and quesadillas all made with hand-pressed tortillas, twice-cooked chicken wings in a range of flavours from Mexican cola to Yucatan buffalo, and of course there's stacked nachos which are perfect for snacking on between sips of margarita.
If you're feeling competitive then they've got six pool tables as well as darts, and Lucha Libre on the big screens if you'd rather watch the play happen than play yourself.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Salon Madre will have DJs on in the evening and on a Friday and Saturday they'll even be open til 1am.
Welcome Salon Madre, we can't wait for this to become our new late-night party destination. You can take a look at their menu here.
Daisy Jackson -
27th June 2024 
