SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Does anyone remember this rather imposing edifice of Greenwood and Batley's Albion Works, Armley Road? To the left is Arkwright Street (near the Albion pub) I think, and at the far end are the back-to-backs of Binks Street (next to the old Comet site.) When was it demolished? In a 1948 aerial photo I have, the building looks different from this Leodis picture. Cheers, Si.            

Yup Si, the road on the left led to the big Iron green gates that led the way into the old works. Greenwoods became part of the fairbairn lawson group I thing, or the other way round, I can't remeber which. Late 80's the place was torn down. Funnily enough, early 90's the big green gates were still there, to be ripped out when the road was re-done and the units at the back of the iste put up. Might be out by a year or so, but the place was deffo gone by 1990.

Thanks, Simon. I remember the gates, and I must have gone past the works thousands of times, but I can't for the life of me remember the building itself, especially that bloody big tower! There's a tiny bit of wall remaining in the right front corner of the former Comet car park on Armley Road.

This is the aerial photo, taken on 28th March, 1948 from 5800 feet. Sorry it's not great quality, but the building with the tower looks different to me.    

Si, where did you get the aerial photo like that please?. I'm trying to get something similar of Sheepscar pre interchange days but cant find anything.

LS1 wrote: Si, where did you get the aerial photo like that please?. I'm trying to get something similar of Sheepscar pre interchange days but cant find anything. A bloke was selling them door to door, about five years ago. He said they were taken by the RAF and were in pairs, making them stereoscopic when seen through a special viewer. Apparently, all major cities in the UK were covered, so there will be one of Sheepscar in existence somewhere. The pic above is just a small part of one of them (I have two which overlap.) The prints are about 14"X18" and are much better quality than the photocopy I posted. There are hardly any cars on either picture.I think the bloke's name was Dave Walker(?) but I don't know how he got hold of them.    

Another picture from the other side of the railway, showing Crown House and The Albion, courtesy of Leodis.

An old drawing of Greenbat's site.

Si wrote: LS1 wrote: Si, where did you get the aerial photo like that please?. I'm trying to get something similar of Sheepscar pre interchange days but cant find anything. A bloke was selling them door to door, about five years ago. He said they were taken by the RAF and were in pairs, making them stereoscopic when seen through a special viewer. Apparently, all major cities in the UK were covered, so there will be one of Sheepscar in existence somewhere. The pic above is just a small part of one of them (I have two which overlap.) The prints are about 14"X18" and are much better quality than the photocopy I posted. There are hardly any cars on either picture.I think the bloke's name was Dave Walker(?) but I don't know how he got hold of them.     Aye, I got a belter of Elland Road, taken in 1949 whilst a game was being played. Leeds United V Barnsley, Leeds won 4-1. Fantastic image it is.

Si wrote: Another picture from the other side of the railway, showing Crown House and The Albion, courtesy of Leodis. What a wonderfully"atmospheric" photo Si.Apart from the interesting buildings you can feel the industrial gloom of the period, and the tram standards and wires (number 14 Half Mile Lane or even Pudsey if early enough) and the multi bracket telegraph pole are fascinating to me.