Granary Wharf

Granary Wharf is a mixed-use development that stands next to the brick tunnels beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and the River Aire in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Leeds City railway station sits above the brick tunnels on Dark Neville Street. The tunnel complex is known locally as the Dark Arches.^[1]

Granary Wharf
General information
Status	Completed
Location	Leeds, England
Completed	2009
Opening	2009
Height
Roof	Candle House: 76 m (249 ft) Watermans Place: 50 m (160 ft) DoubleTree: 48 m (157 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	Candle House: 23 Watermans Place: 17 DoubleTree: 15

History

In 1864 it was proposed to build a "New Station" in Leeds. Construction began in 1866 and the station was completed in 1869. The new station was built on arches which span the River Aire, Neville Street and Swinegate. The building of the station led to the creation of the 'Dark Arches' over Neville Street. Over 18 million bricks were used during their construction, breaking records at the time^{[citation needed]}.

Although the arches appear to be part of one single structure, closer inspection reveals that it is a series of independent viaducts two or four tracks wide^{[citation needed]}. The station is situated next to the terminus of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, but as the station is raised high above ground level it is possible to gain access to the Dark Arches from the towpath.

Developed in the 1990s and advertised as Leeds' best kept secret, the Granary Wharf shopping centre was situated underneath the Dark Arches. There were several established businesses underneath the arches, these included; restaurants, shops, boutiques, cafes, a bakery, exhibition spaces and a 1,000 capacity events venue. The Arches as a shopping centre was in decline for some time, and has now been developed as a car park. ^{[citation needed]}

In 2009 Granary Wharf was redeveloped with a new hotel (the City Inn, Leeds - now DoubleTree by Hilton) and two apartment blocks: Candle House and Watermans Place.^[2] The newly developed Granary Wharf also features several modern restaurants and bars.^[3]

Gallery

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  Candle House
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  Watermans Place
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  Dark Arches
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References

1. Hutchinson, Andrew. "The Dark Arches in 19 photos - An engineering wonder of Leeds". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
2. Granary Wharf. . Granary Wharf. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
3. "Granary Wharf, Leeds". Granary Wharf, Leeds. Retrieved 1 June 2018.

53°47′39″N 1°32′53″W / 53.79417°N 1.54806°W / 53.79417; -1.54806