Holbeck Viaduct Project wins prestigious international ‘Pineapple’ Award

The Holbeck Viaduct Project has been crowned a winner at the 2026 Pineapple Awards, the UK’s leading celebration of excellence in place-making and urban design. Known in the industry as the "Oscars of place-making," the Pineapple Awards recognize projects that make a positive impact on people and cities. Our vision to transform 1.6km of Victorian railway infrastructure into a vibrant green "sky park" for Leeds stood out against a shortlist of high-calibre international projects. The win is a major milestone for the project, providing a massive boost as we continue our work with planners and stakeholders to turn the viaduct from a historic relic into a world-class public asset. What the Judges Said The judging panel was struck by the project’s ability to blend industrial heritage with a green future. In their summary, they noted: "A project that brilliantly captures the soul of its community, turning industrial history into a vibrant, green future for Leeds. An ambitious and beautifully executed vision that proves how forgotten infrastructure can be reimagined as a world class public asset." A Collaborative Success This award is a testament to the power of collaboration in Leeds. While the project is community led by the Holbeck Viaduct Project CIC, it has been driven forward by an incredible team of partners including Urban Wilderness, Edward Architects, Buro Happold, CEG, Network Rail, Railway Heritage Trust, and the McLaren Group. What’s Next? As we celebrate this international recognition, our focus remains on the "next steps" for the viaduct. This award gives us fresh momentum in our conversations with partners and planners as we work towards making the vision of a highline park for South Leeds a reality. A huge thank you to all our supporters who have followed the journey so far. This award belongs to the community who've kept this idea going.