Calls Landing

Meandering back from Leeds Dock into the city centre, we crossed the river and walked through the area known as The Calls. At one time it was an industrial area with warehousing for the docks. Industry declined and moved out in the 20th century and the area was regenerated in the 1980s/90s, with buildings converted into offices - mainly media and creative businesses - and residential use. It's beginning to look a little run-down again now. The Covid pandemic seems to have changed working patterns so that many more people now work from home, meaning that footfall in these commercial areas is much less. There are still bars, so maybe it all comes to life at night. 

The industrial past is still evident, particularly if you look upwards. The building above with the fine brickwork is called The Old Brewery so I assume that's what it once was. Calls Landing (below) was a warehouse built in the early 1900s to support the adjacent Fletland Mills, which in the mid 1880s was a huge corn mill supplying flour and horse feed. The mill is now, I think, a hotel, though currently 'closed for redevelopment'.  

The 'You & Me, Me & You' mural on the side of this historic building is by graphic artist Anthony Burrill, and was completed in 2021.  The grey heron mural, by Peter Barber, is designed to submerge and re-emerge as the river levels vary. 

Just glimpsed between the buildings, this tribute to the former Leeds United and England footballer Kalvin Phillips (who now plays for Manchester City) was painted by street artist Akse P19. 

And finally, I couldn't resist the light and shade on these old steps - and it was a mono outing, after all!