City Developments Limited (CDL) has an oft-repeated mantra: Conserving as We Construct. Since 1995, this ethos has guided our decisions – not just in Singapore, but wherever we venture.
This story takes us to Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest city in Yorkshire and one of Britain’s major cultural centres.
In 2019, we identified strong potential for rental accommodation in the UK and acquired a prime freehold site in Leeds, spanning 193,752 square feet. The site is strategically located just a 10-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, with London a mere two-hour train ride away.
A notable feature of the site is the Monk Bridge Viaduct, built in 1846, which served as a crucial railway route to the old Leeds Central Station for over a century until the station closed in the 1960s.
The viaduct was partially demolished and restricted to public access after the 1980s. Recognising its historical value, we developed plans to construct five residential blocks supported by the viaduct reimagined as an elevated urban park.
The viaduct has since become a community space for residents and the city alike, reminiscent of The High Line in New York. Beneath the viaduct, 20 railway arches are being repurposed, with 12 converted into vibrant hubs for bars, restaurants, and shops.
The project was completed in late 2023 and has been shortlisted for an award by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, recognising its role in revitalising the west end of Leeds city centre.
We named the project The Junction, reflecting its identity as both a point where the viaduct forks and a place where people converge.
Once again, we are proud to have conserved and brought a piece of history to life – halfway across the world from Singapore.