Bradford was unveiled as the fourth UK City of Culture, following Derry, Hull and Coventry, for 2025.
With plans for creativity, culture and the arts across the Bradford District, the city is set to feature more than 1,000 shows, exhibitions and events, throwing a spotlight on the UK's youngest and most diverse city.
1. Bradford Live
Bradford has been home to repurposed projects over the years, too.
In July, it was announced that the major building work at the former Odeon cinema in the city centre had been completed.
After being empty for about 20 years, the art deco building originally opened in 1930. In the 1950s and 60s it hosted legends like Buddy Holly and The Beatles – on the first date of their first ever UK tour. It has been restored and transformed into a 3,800-capacity music and entertainment venue.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "Not only has an iconic building been saved but it has been given an incredibly exciting new future as one of the region's best live entertainment venues.
"Bradford Live will play a crucial role in the regeneration of our city centre, improving Bradford as an entertainment destination, attracting new visitors and offering employment and economic opportunity for our district."
The cost of the scheme was £50.5m, of which £43.75m came from the council and the remainder from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
2. One City Park
At Insider's inaugural Placemaking Awards held in June 2024, Bradford was widely recognised in several categories.
One such one was the Design Excellence Award given to One City Park, developed under lead contractor Caddick Construction, which was completed in December 2023.
The £35m development by Muse and City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council is the city's first grade A office development in 20 years, and comprises 56,403 sq ft of office space across five floors.
The development provides an active frontage on the Mirror Pool in City Park – which is set to play a major role in the district's City of Culture programme – through a co-working area and café space while the landscape design also optimises sunlight.
Bradford Council hopes it will be a catalyst for other investors in further commercial and residential development.
3. Kashmir Park
Another winner at the awards ceremony was Kashmir Park, in the Health, Education & Community Development category.
The site lies in an area which is among the 10 per cent most deprived in England.
The area has very few homes with sizable gardens, so the scheme focused on developing land which is used for fly-tipping to create a pocket park play area that prioritises features encouraging active play and exercise.
The development also introduced wildflowers, tree planting and hedging. The project cost just £235,000 and the judges described it as a "placemaking dream."
