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THIS might just be the coolest place for a garden party in Yorkshire – but in the depths of winter it's also probably one of the coldest and wettest.
Almost 250 feet (75 metres) above Leeds city railway station, this communal roof terrace is the highest in the city and the last word in living the high life.
While most high-rise apartment blocks are topped by expensive penthouse suites, the developers of Candle House decided to build a decked garden on the 21st floor, complete with tool sheds, herb garden, supplies of seeds, some hardy plants, bean bags and hammocks.
The plants have been specially chosen by Palmers Plants in Calverley, Leeds, for their ability to cope with a typical Yorkshire winter, from bamboo to eucalyptus.
The three garden sheds are themed: one for tools and seeds; one for deckchairs and a "book shed" for books and bean bags.
The circle-shaped roof terrace sits atop the 160- apartment Candle House, in Leeds's Granary Wharf canalside development.
Surrounding the cylindrical garden are large glass windows which are high enough to keep out the worst of the wind while allowing residents to enjoy the 360 degree panorama.
Look up and all you can see is the sky.
Developers Isis Waterside Regeneration say the tower block's circular design, with its brick and copper exterior, "has already made a huge impact on the skyline south of the city centre".
Yesterday the Yorkshire Post was given a tour of Candle House ahead of a public launch event on Thursday.
Mike Finkill, regeneration director with Isis, has only taken a handful of people for a sneak preview of the panoramic view but the common reaction was a simple "wow!".
Isis decided to install the sky garden after asking people what kind of features they would like to see.
"They said they wanted space to mix with their neighbours, like a real community. Rather than give the views to a lucky penthouse, we gave views to all residents."
His colleague Hollie Reynolds, who is in sales and marketing, added: "Everyone who comes up here goes 'whoa'. We like showing it off."
Candle House already also has an unofficial fan club on the website skyscrapercity.com
On a clear day the view stretches as far as the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, according to Isis, but yesterday the hills around Wharfedale were partly hidden by mist.
Much easier to see is nearby Waterman's Place, another Isis development which also has a rooftop terrace, but at a more modest 120ft (37 metres).
Waterman's Place, which has 13 storeys, was launched in October and has seen almost half the 122 apartments sold so far.
Isis won't know until next week how popular Candle House will be but the signs are promising, with a waiting list of 70 people who want to view the apartments.
One person who has already taken a one-bed apartment in Candle House is Jamie Lawson, managing director of Yorkshire brewery firm Ossett Brewery, which is opening its 14th pub, The Hop, in Granary Wharf later this month.
But Mr Lawson won't be in a hurry to enjoy the sky garden as he's a little afraid of heights.
He said: "I'm not a big fan of heights to be honest. The company has taken an apartment on the sixth floor; it's perfect for us."
But despite his concerns, he added: "It's nothing that a few beers wouldn't cure."
Prices range from just under 100,000 for a studio to just below 200,000 for a two-bed flat.
An Isis spokesman said the launch on Thursday marked the completion of the final stage of development at Granary Wharf which has undergone a 40m facelift.
n The launch is on March 11 between 4pm and 8pm at the sales office in Dark Neville Street, Granary Wharf.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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