PROPOSALS to transform a historic Yorkshire factory once owned by one of the founding fathers of the industrial revolution in the region are to be unveiled to an international audience at MIPIM.
Tower Works is to be regenerated into a mixed-use development which will include 145,000 sq ft of offices, 154 studio and family homes, a bakery, organic micro brewery, bars and cafes, as well as public open spaces.
The complex in Leeds was originally built in the 19th century and was owned by Colonel Thomas Harding. Its distinctive towers, modelled on the Giotto tower in Florence and the Lamberti tower in Verona, have been landmarks on the city's skyline since they were built.
After sustaining damage during the second world war when neighbouring buildings were bombed during air raids on Leeds's railway station, the factory was never repaired and ceased to trade in 1981 after almost 120 years of operating on the site.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which bought the empty site in 2005, and waterside regeneration experts ISIS will unveil proposals for the redevelopment Tower Works at the international property conference in Cannes tomorrow.
Property agents, developers and investors will be able to view the plans for the site at an event taking place on the Location Leeds exhibition stand at the three-day festival.
The event will see Leeds civic architect John Thorp introduce speakers from ISIS and Yorkshire Forward outline their vision for Tower Works and the role it will play in the regeneration of Holbeck Urban Village as a business and residential community.
Mike Finkhill, director of ISIS, said: "We are thrilled to be selected by Yorkshire Forward as the development partner for Tower Works. We feel privileged to be able to show Leeds and the UK what ISIS can do.
"We are already involved in animating the waterfront at Holbeck with the redevelopment of Granary Wharf, and now with Tower Works, we believe Leeds will have one of the most exciting waterside communities in the UK."
Chris Hilton, Holbeck Urban Village's project leader for Yorkshire Forward, added: "The Tower Works site is an integral part of the Holbeck Urban Village renaissance programme. The aim is to create a sustainable community with a distinctive sense of place, whilst retaining the area's unique character by combining the rich architectural legacy of the industrial age, with high quality contemporary design."
Holbeck Urban Village includes the regeneration of the Round Foundry which is now home to a range of companies including archcitects, graphic designers and other media businesses, including TheBusinessDesk.com.
The most notable features of Tower Works are the three towers that give it its name and served as chimneys for the gill-pin factory.
The third plain tower, built as part of Harding's final phase of expansion in 1919, is thought to represent a Tuscan tower house. All three are listed structures, the two ornate towers being grade two* listed and the plain tower grade two listed.
Ian Briggs
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