Victoria Gate

Victoria Gate is a 21st century interpretation of Leeds’ rich
architectural heritage and Victorian shopping arcades. The
complex is defined by textured exteriors and a series of new
passages that will reconnect the surrounding parts of the
city and integrates with existing Leeds public spaces. The
two new arcades were developed following a rigorous study
of the key ingredients that characterise the 19th century
European shopping arcades, which have often been lost in
contemporary mall designs. The John Lewis store anchors
the development with a sculptural diagrid façade, which
relates to the three dimensionality of civic buildings of Leeds
and is reminiscent of the woven pattern of Leeds traditional
textiles. The resulting diamond infill panels are either
transparent or sculpted to create a terracotta decorative
relief. The Multi-Storey Car Park façade recreates the
department store diagrid with an interplay of light and
shadow provided by twisting aluminium fins.