Wellington Place’s oldest buildings is under construction.
Leeds Central Railway Station was used from the nineteenth century right up until 1967 when the new station on New Station Street became the main station, putting the original Central station out of use – but there’s one reminder of the old station that still remain to this day.
The Lifting Tower has been the only remaining feature of Leeds old train station for quite a few years now, and its heritage is being preserved through a brand new construction project that see the tower transformed into a mini museum and exhibition space.
The full building is currently under construction, with plans to repair and repoint the existing building fabric; restore the staircase with new landscaping, windows and doors, as well as internal and external lighting all planned in to make the space useable.
Perhaps the most impressive of the developments will be the new green roof which is designed to aid biodiversity in the area, as well as the ‘opening up’ of the structure that allows a wide entrance to visitors on the ground floor.
The idea is that once the work is complete, the ground floor will be home to a mini museum and exhibition open to the public to highlight ‘the core role that the tower played for Leeds’ original railway station, and an exhibition capturing people’s memories of the working station’.
The new space inside the Grade II listed lifting tower will also display artefacts from the station’s history and exclusive photography of the area.
Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “The former railway lifting tower is a symbol of the rich heritage of Wellington Place and a symbol of city’s industrial roots, it plays a central role in the development and provides an interesting juxtaposition between old and new architecture.
“These works will ensure that the lifting tower remains at the heart of the development. We’re especially excited to take this onto the next level and use the space to benefit the local community as well as those across the city and wider region.”
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Work is expected to be competed this winter.
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