Another image of the impressive Corn Exchange in Leeds.

Designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, a young Hull architect best known for Leeds Town Hall, this Grade I listed structure was completed in 1862 and opened on 28 July 1863. Leeds Corn Exchange is now just one of three Corn Exchanges in the country which still operates in its traditional capacity as a centre for trade, albeit no longer for trading in corn.

After the closure of the Corn Exchange, its condition deteriorated to such a degree that the building itself and the surrounding land became one of Leeds' most run down areas. Early proposals for the regeneration for this site had included turning the Corn Exchange into a concert hall similar to the Royal Albert Hall.

In 1985, Speciality Shops plc won the contract to re-develop the building as a shopping centre. The refurbishment process designed by Alsop & Lyall was completely restored to its current state, with new staircases to allow shoppers access to the balcony and basement levels. It opened for trade in 1990. Many other old buildings have been restored in this area, now known as The Exchange Quarter.

Following a major restoration project, Leeds Corn Exchange re-opened in November 2008 as a boutique shopping destination for creative independent retail enterprises. The entire 13,200-square-foot (1,230 m2) ground level is now occupied by a new restaurant venture, with the upper levels home to a number of retailers.