Leeds’ historic Italian towers to undergo major renovation work

The three iconic, italian-style towers at Leeds’ historic Tower Works are set to undergo extensive restoration work.

In the next several weeks, specialists including qualified steeplejacks will be scaling the Giotto Tower, Verona Tower and Little Tower to begin the work, which includes brickwork repointing and repairs.

The gold-coloured, glass tiles on the upper level of the Giotto Tower will be repaired and replaced, and debris from the base will be removed.

The recognizable towers were originally built as dust extractors for a factory founded by T.R Harding in 1864-66, which made steel pins for the textile industry.

Leeds City Council’s executive board agreed to accept a transfer of the freehold ownership of the towers from the Homes and Communities Agency in March 2013 to help redevelopment projects to progress.

The Giotto Tower, the largest of the three, is based on Giotto’s Campanile in Florence, while the Verona Tower takes its design from the Torre dei Lamberti in Verona.

The Little Tower, the smallest of the three, is believed to be based on a traditional Tuscan tower house.

The project will be funded with a contribution from the Homes and Communities Agency, which was given to the council to protect and preserve the towers.

Property developer Carillion has recently been selected by the HCA as preferred development partner for the rest of the Tower Works site.

The renovation work will be a mixed-use, sustainable scheme balancing contemporary design with the existing heritage structures and will be a key element of the Holbeck Urban Village (HUV).

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “The Italian towers at Tower Works are among the city’s most recognisable and unique landmarks and the site as a whole is a hugely important part of the city’s heritage.

“It is vital that we preserve buildings like this to protect the character of Leeds and so they can act as a catalyst for the sympathetic regeneration of neighbouring sites.”

Cllr Lewis added: “The further development of Tower Works is an integral part of the genuinely transformative vision for Holbeck Urban Village and the South Bank.

“The South Bank Programme is one of the most exciting and ambitious development opportunities anywhere in the UK and will incorporate modern facilities whilst retaining and enhancing some of the traditional townscape and architecture that is intrinsic to Leeds.

“The completion of the new railway station southern entrance will see an additional 20,000 people in the area each day, with huge potential to attract further investment, employment opportunities and economic growth to what is a key area of the city.”