The Leeds Architecture Awards are a celebration of excellence in design.

This will include all publicly accessible spaces. We also welcome entries for public art (which may be judged in a separate category)

An overall winner will be selected from one of the category winners

As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Leeds Civic Trust is proud to launch a special People’s Choice Award, recognising buildings constructed in Leeds between 1965 and 2025. This award is part of the Leeds Architecture Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in design and placemaking across the city.

Vote for Leeds' best building of the last 60 years!

To celebrate 60 years of Leeds Civic Trust, we asked the public to nominate their favourite buildings built in Leeds between 1965 and 2025. We received an incredible 34 nominations, showcasing the city’s diverse architecture, from bold contemporary designs to much-loved landmarks.

Now it’s time to vote for your favourite! Below are the top ten eligible buildings with the most nominations. 

The building with the most votes will be awarded The People's Choice Award at the prestigious Leeds Architecture Awards, on 6 November 2025. 

Cast your vote now to crown Leeds Favourite Building (1965–2025)!

Votes are open until 01 November. 

👉 Vote for your favourite building here : People’s Choice Top Ten

The Mark Finch Award will recognise the achievements of a person who has made a significant positive impact to the built environment and placemaking within the Leeds Metropolitan District.

It is awarded in honour of Mark Finch, an important figure in the development of the city for 25 years, who sadly passed away in 2023.

Mark, who worked as an Executive Director at Rushbond PLC for ten years, was a key figure in the development of projects such as the Majestic, the Corn Exchange and the First White Cloth Hall.

The award is supported by Mark’s family and Rushbond PLC, who are sponsoring the trophy which will be retained by the winner for two years until the next Leeds Architecture Awards in 2027.

How to apply

Awards will be made by nomination. A statement of up to 400 words should be provided by a deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 30th September 2025 by someone other than the nominee. The statement should provide the following information:

• The name and position of the nominee

• The project or body of work for which the person is nominated

• The impact made to the city’s built environment and place through this work

The statement should be sent to office@leedscivictrust.org.uk and should include the name of the person submitting the nomination and contact details.

Informal enquiries about the award should also be sent to office@leedscivictrust.org.uk

The awards process

The award will be made following a recommendation by a judging panel comprising representatives of Leeds Civic Trust, the Leeds Society of Architects and Leeds City Council in consultation with Mark’s family.

Eligibility and scope of the award

The overarching aim is to recognise the contribution of individuals who champion the built environment in Leeds through their work.

Nominations should focus on personal contributions made by the individual to work that has had a significant positive impact on the built environment and placemaking in Leeds. This may include contributions ranging from a single significant project to a body of work. Given that this is the first year the award is being made, the judges are not imposing a particular timescale on when this work took place, but would expect example(s) given to be recent.

The awards ceremony

The award will be presented at the Leeds Architecture Awards on the evening of Thursday 6th November 2025 at the Howard Assembly Room.