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.
Britain's 20 biggest cities have been ranked, and Leeds has done pretty well.
Although, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the overwhelmingly lacklustre description we've been given.
The listing comes from The Telegraph and ranks Britain's 20 biggest cities from worst to best, taking into account visitor appeal and where offers most to tourists.
Leeds comes in at a very respectable number 10, however judging from what they've said about our city you'd think we were much, much lower.
Kicking things off, the description reads: "There’s an untidy quality to Leeds, borne of a patchwork of periods in its built environment and the fact that a lot of regeneration is underway (cranes rise at every corner)."
Image: Unsplash
Yep, not off to a good start but it's only down hill from there as Leeds is then said to have a 'certain shapelessness'.
But perhaps the worst part is yet to come: "There are some ugly, run-down streets very close to the centre, and while the Headrow and other high streets have a fair number of shops, there’s no real boulevard or grand square.
"The most atmospheric spaces are Queens Arcade and perpendicular Cross Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade; Grand Arcade is also Victorian but looks and feels less uplifting."
By the end it starts to get slightly more positive, emphases on 'slightly': "Leeds’ strongest points might be its small size and its north-central location; it’s easy to walk everywhere inside the city, and a short ride away are Ilkley, Skipton and the Dales."
Our visitor appeal gained a 6.5/10, beating Cardiff, Sheffield, Brighton and Nottingham.
Taking the top spot was Liverpool followed by Edinburgh, Belfast and Glasgow. Read the full ranking here.
An award-winning Sardinian restaurant made famous in Sheffield is now opening in Leeds
Clementine Hall
This family-run restaurant has chosen Leeds as their second location, and we're very glad they have.
Introducing Domo, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
They've been teasing a second site for some time now but finally the cat is firmly out of the bag as they've announced they'll be bringing Domo to Leeds.
But where might you ask? Well, none other than the scenic location of the Lockside overlooking the canal.
Slotting right in next to BAKE, they're going to be in very good company indeed.
Image: The Sheff
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Domo said: "So most of you guessed it right...it’s been a long time coming but Domo 2.0 is finally cooking.
"Here’s a little sneak peek at our week which we’ve mostly spent admiring the views and getting to know the new neighbours …. If you can guess where it is there’s a glass of bubbly on us next time we see you. To be continued ………"
That's all the information we have so far, but we'll keep you in the loop as and when we find out more.
We can't wait to have you here in Leeds Domo, but for now we'll pop round to Sheffield to get our Domo fix and we highly suggest you do too.
Daisy Jackson -
27th June 2024 
