Bringing craft ales, mouth-watering food and retro gaming to Leeds
The Head of Steam, Park Row, Leeds, is the latest opening for Cameron’s Brewery for which we were asked to develop and deliver the interior design scheme. It is its third venue in the city, and the sixteenth in the UK, transforming the old Lloyds Bank on Park Row into a venue for craft ales, mouth-watering food and retro gaming. The significant investment has also allowed for a private hire tasting room with its own bar, as well as setup that allows for live music on Thursdays and Fridays and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
THE BRIEF
The design thought process & practicalities of converting a once major banking landmark in Leeds City Centre to a new bar, led to The Head of Steam evolving once again into a pivotal hub of the city for drinkers & revelers alike seeking a sanctuary for a fine drinking experience.
The existing structure, of virtually impenetrable reinforced concrete walls and floor slab, meant a major logistical co-ordination of M&E services across the ground floor bar and kitchen areas as well as the lower basement level. Supply to the bar from the basement cellar called for a thoroughly robust layout plan that would work both operationally for day to day running as well as customer flow & access throughout the building.
THE DESIGN
The design meant that the beautiful original concrete waffled ceiling & the vast majority of the concrete shell walls were left exposed in all their glory in the front of house areas, this helped to convey the heavy industrial theme, assimilated to previous Head of Steam interiors. This combined with the more traditional elements seen in an historical pub including oak paneling, deep buttoned furniture with luxurious upholstery & feature lighting helped to bring a softer element to the interior.
An island bar arrangement services the customers with a plethora of beers & spirits from across the world aided with the facility for customers to take home their favorite tipple with in-house canning & vending machines. Whilst an open kitchen pass provides sustenance to accompany the drink. Entertainment is provided within a gaming area adorned with wall art provided by a local artist, something the client Cameron’s Brewery are keen to promote along with acoustic musical entertainment through local performers.
The once financial building has been given a new lease of life through a sympathetic interior scheme that will become a destination for both those working in the city and visitors disembarking for a great time in Leeds.
