I often hear rumblings of discontent about the ongoing facelift of Holbeck. As a Holbeck resident myself I like it very much, but clearly I'm biased.
So this post is a whirlwind tour of Holbeck and its attractions, and highlights just a few of the reasons I like living there so much.
Despite its sometime irreverent reputation, the district of Holbeck, or the Holbeck Urban Village as it is now known, is a case study in urban regeneration and care; home to many upscale apartment buildings, office buildings, boutique pubs and restaurants, and home to the city's booming creative, digital and media industries.
Things weren't always so rosy for Holbeck, read these two reviews of the area from May 2006 and you'll see that Holbeck has its issues, namely crime, prostitution and drugs.
Industrial city area
But, Holbeck, partly repackaged and rebranded in a joint venture between Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Forward as the 'urban village', is a great example of an industrial city area, in need of some TLC, brought bang up to date in a sensitive and attractive and more importantly, successful manner.
The Urban Village website said:
"The journey started in 1999 when the area was designated an urban village, and is expected to take more than 20 years, but certainly promises to be worth the wait."
Holbeck is an exciting part of Leeds, and one which looks set to grow, even in the face of economic adversity.
Despite the recession, the tightening of purse strings city-wide, and the sad demise of Yorkshire Forward, the commitment is still there and its results are tangible.
Holbeck has the odd corner you might not want to stray to after hours, and yes there are the occasional glimpses of less than savoury behaviour, but this is symptomatic of any other city. There are areas of every city, be it Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or London, that one wouldn't want to wander after dark.
You could argue that Holbeck's makeover is something of a public relations coup, but there is substance to its Urban Village claim, it genuinely feels like a nice place to live.
'Success of Holbeck'
The success of Holbeck is that very little of its former industrial character has been lost, witness the delightfully renovated and restored Marshall's Mill, the attractive yards and walkways of Saw Mill Yard peppered with industrial relics more akin to art installations, and just over the other side of the canal, the very impressive and glitzy Granary Wharf.
Not forgetting the shabby chic of Temple Works, read Phil Kirby's Temple Works Blog for more on this cultural hub. Furthermore, the ongoing renovation of Tower Works, given the go-ahead recently, is sure to add to Holbeck's attraction.
Holbeck is also home to some big business, Yorkshire Forward itself is based here, along with several large banking institutions such as RBS and Yorkshire Bank, Asda Supermarkets has its corporate home here too.
Bridgewater Place, (loved and hated in equal regard, and sometimes known as The Dalek) is one of the most recognisable building of the Leeds skyline; it not only has a residential aspect, but houses business such as GHD, KMPG, Tesco, and that enduring stamp of urban approval, a Starbucks.
Right in the centre of the village is the hub of the Leeds creative industries. Saw Mill Yard, its surrounding walkways, and the Round Foundry Media Centre house some of the biggest and best creative names Leeds has to offer, the Round Foundry alone is home to over 45 businesses based in the creative and media sectors.
The area is impressive to walk around, just taking a stroll through the yards and over David St Café's cute bit of Astroturf, and you can see the promise of the area.
Accessibility (and cheap parking!)
A key factor in Holbeck's attraction for business and residents alike is it's accessibility; being right off a motorway junction means avoiding the torturous loop road anyone who has ever driven in Leeds will know all too well, it's just a stone's throw from Leeds central train station, and a mere ten minute walk to the city centre itself.
And while I shouldn't spread this secret too far in case everyone catches on, parking is cheap here too!
There are also some excellent places to eat; Wasabi Teppanyaki on Granary Wharf, The Foundry, The Engine House Cafe, The Midnight Bell, David St Café, and you can grab a supremely healthy and tasty breakfast from juice bar Out of the Woods.
And finally, if nothing else will tempt you, Holbeck also boasts one of the best mini-pub crawls in Leeds!
I recommend starting at The Hop in Granary Wharf, then taking a short stroll to The Grove (lovely real ale pub), ambling to few metres to The Midnight Bell, popping next door to The Cross Keys (excellent choice of drinks), finishing up at The Foundry Wine Bar (very chic) just around the corner.
And if you live in Holbeck, you don't even need to find a taxi home, a short stumble will do it!
Guest blogger Michelle Allison lives in Holbeck Urban Village. She has her own blog here.
What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.
