Evaluation

The development has been well received by the existing and new communities as well as the wider architecture and regeneration sectors.  Commentary on the Round Foundry frequently focuses on the restoration of an historic area to a new thriving contemporary quarter.  The exposure of restored elements of the historic buildings has ensured the character and sense of place of the quarter has been both preserved and developed. High quality design of new buildings has complemented this distinctive character. The media centre has proved an attractive location for businesses, with tenants filling all the offices within 18 months of opening and the centre has been credited with spearheading the regeneration of south Leeds.

Physical design
The careful adaptation of the original morphology in the neighbourhood has helped to preserve the distinctive character of the area and enhanced its sense of place. The flexibility that has been built into both the preserved buildings and the new buildings should also ensure that the area has an active role to play in the economic and residential life of Leeds for the foreseeable future.

The scheme includes careful attention to detail such as ground floor entrances that are flush to the pavement to ensure accessibility to the buildings. Street furniture and way-finding signs throughout the site are also consistent and are of extremely high quality design.  Careful building preservation and sensitive design on the site was facilitated by a close working relationship between the developers and the architects.

In terms of environmental sustainability, most of the buildings were developed before clear policy guidance was available on the subject, but the buildings planned for Phase Two will be carbon neutral developments with natural ventilation and photovoltaic cells. The listed buildings preserve their embodied energy from the original materials, transportation and construction, and have been designed with flexibility in mind so they may have an alternative use in the future. The Government's Academy for Sustainable Communities will locate their offices in the Round Foundry Media Centre, demonstrating sustainable regeneration as a critical part of the site design and use.

Perimeter treatment of the site has yet to be completed and consequently, the development does not integrate well with its immediate surrounds. This can be explained by the fact that the surrounding sites are yet to be developed and will be addressed in later phases of the programme. It is hoped that once these are developed, connections between the sites will be strengthened and the public realm will be landscaped to the standard of the courtyards within the Round Foundry site.

Transport connections
Garages or car parking spaces are currently provided on a 1:1 ratio. Poor public transport links to the area mean that the development would not have been financially viable or successful without sufficient parking levels. This level was agreed to by the Council on the provision that once the area is established, or within seven years of the original construction, some parking areas would be developed as office or residential space. The large car park currently serving the Media Centre is due to be developed as part of this agreement. Some existing parking, however, is positioned at ground level and creates inactive street frontages which detract from the area's vibrancy and sense of safety.

The current street hierarchy places the Round Foundry on a direct, signposted route to the nearby motorway, resulting in high average speeds of cars and commercial vehicles through the area. Transport studies are currently being undertaken to explore methods of improving public transport links to the area and providing either an alternative route to the motorway or traffic calming measures.

The wider regeneration of Holbeck Urban Village should improve public transport links to the area and a growing residential population in the area will bring wider leisure and community services to complement the new restaurants, pubs and local shops.

Community regeneration
Good efforts have been made to create a sense of community and belonging at Holbeck, with an annual gala held at Holbeck Moor, providing a chance for all of the community to come together.  Over 1,000 residents normally take part, as well as local community groups and businesses.  The event includes a procession through the streets of Holbeck, involving bands, performers and community group stalls.

The Round Foundry represents a sensitive and imaginative redevelopment of an internationally renowned, yet mostly derelict, industrial site to a genuine mixed-use development that retains the area's character and provides a high quality public realm. The development has made a positive economic contribution to the regeneration of the Holbeck area through its establishment as a popular location for creative and knowledge based industries, and other economic uses that spring up to support these. 

Prior to the redevelopment, the area was cut-off from the centre of Leeds by railways and canals, and many of the listed buildings were redundant and dilapidated.  The area has now become inhabited by an assortment of businesses, good quality residential accommodation and retail services situated in an attractive environment, whilst preserving as much as possible of Leeds industrial heritage. The scheme has been successful as a catalyst for the further development of Holbeck Urban Village.