Majestic Leeds
The Majestic is a Grade II Listed building in Leeds which has been a city centre icon for more than 100 years. Since its original construction in 1920, it has served as a ‘picture palace’ – what we know as a cinema, a bingo hall and a nightclub.
Its classical façade stood tall throughout all those uses, but was damaged by a fire in 2014. This damaged the original roof and ensured the building would have to evolve once more. It now functions as Grade A office space following the redevelopment, and is home to big businesses including Channel 4 and the law firm Knights. The new roof is defined by its aluminium solar fin system, anodised by United Anodisers with our Anolok® Bronze
Reimagining a local classic
The Majestic is Leeds through and through. It is clad in locally made glazed terracotta, and its classical style has been a landmark in the city for more than 100 years. The redevelopment and redesign of the building following the 2014 took this style as the starting point for a sensitive, contemporary adaptation.
Any new roof needed to provide a modern evolution of the building without losing that heritage. The fire was damaging, but it provided an opportunity to renew The Majestic and secure the building’s future. A triple-height atrium, stepped backwards from the existing roof, was the solution. It is a stunning intervention on Leeds’ street scene and has become a case study in how to update older buildings without losing their character.
Jonathan Maud, chairman and managing director at developer Rushbond, said “The fundamental objective has been to breathe new life into the Majestic, reinventing the building so that it secures a sustainable future. From the start, we have been focused on delivering a restoration that was worthy of the Majestic’s history, and to protect and preserve key elements that make the building so special.”
Key to it all was the aluminium structure which defines the shape of the new roof and helps the building function effectively as Grade A office space.
A complex aluminium fin system
A bespoke aluminium solar fin system was designed and fabricated for this complex site. It is comprised of a series of angled fins arranged in a configuration that controls the amount of sunlight and solar heat entering a building.
The metal was chosen for a number of reasons including its sustainability, versatility and its strength which allows the roof to stand tall and shade the interiors effectively without dominating the building and the surrounding environment.
A dark bronze anodised finish was chosen to complement and enhance all these features. It provides an understated, natural beauty which complements the rest of the building while also fitting in naturally with the local area. The darker, metallic shade offers a weight and depth to the building, ensuring that the new sections blends in seamlessly.
Our finish also supports the architect’s sustainability goals through its durability and recyclability.
Peter Watts, Managing Director at United Anodisers, said: “United Anodisers was pleased to assist in the creation of this beautiful bespoke façade. The Majestic is one of the most historic buildings in Leeds and we’re proud our Anolok® Bronze has played such an important role in its redevelopment and evolution.”
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