The Grade II-listed Monk Bridge viaduct, near Whitehall Road, had been disused since the 1960s. In 2019, work began on a huge redevelopment, building a high-rise residential and office scheme.
As part of the scheme, the viaduct itself is being transformed into a greenway and pedestrian path, while the archways beneath will be home to bars, restaurants and shops.
And the secret urban garden is now open to the public. We take a look around...
![The Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden is accessed via a staircase and lift in a car park off Whitehall Road, next to the Whitehall Place development](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYzNDIwZjI4LTg3OTctNGZlOS1hNzZjLWNmYWRlMGRjZGI1MTpkMTQ4MDczMi03OTE1LTQzNDgtOGU0My03ZjM2ZDk4ZWU4NTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
The Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden is accessed via a staircase and lift in a car park off Whitehall Road, next to the Whitehall Place development Photo: Steve Riding
![The urban park is inspired by the 'High Line' in New York, a 1.45-mile-long park built on disused railway in New York City, itself based on a similar scheme completed in Paris](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgxY2RiN2Y1LTU4YWUtNDYwOC1iMTRiLTdkNDk0M2Y2OGFhNjpiZmY1NzIyNC01ZWFlLTRmZjAtOTI0Ny03ZWE1OWQ4NGFhNDA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
The urban park is inspired by the 'High Line' in New York, a 1.45-mile-long park built on disused railway in New York City, itself based on a similar scheme completed in Paris Photo: Steve Riding
![While the High Line in New York is a longer stretch than Leeds' greenway, the Monk Bridge viaduct is much wider - as wide as Briggate](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkZTQzYzRmLTRlZGYtNGFmZC1hMzQ5LWViM2VhZWZmZWEyMjpjNTJlOTU3Ny03MTM2LTQ5YmUtOGI3Mi1lYTEyNTI0MzcxN2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
While the High Line in New York is a longer stretch than Leeds' greenway, the Monk Bridge viaduct is much wider - as wide as Briggate Photo: Steve Riding
![Developers have retained original features of the Monk Bridge railway line, including this signal box](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM4MTMxNThjLTQ0NjgtNGJiNi1hNDVkLWI5MTZiNjc0OGE2MDo3YWE4NjJlOS1iZjU3LTQ5YzQtYTIwNS05YTYzMWZhNDBhNDg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
Developers have retained original features of the Monk Bridge railway line, including this signal box Photo: Steve Riding
![Designed by Thomas Grainger in 1846, the old railway line goes over the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ0NGNmZTdiLTg4YmMtNDIzYi1hZTFiLWM3MjUyNjU0ZmQxODoxOWVjYWRiNy01MmNkLTRkNWYtODkzMS02YTVlZWQ2ZDg5MzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Monk Bridge Viaduct urban garden
Designed by Thomas Grainger in 1846, the old railway line goes over the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Photo: Steve Riding
![Trees have been planted](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM2NmZhYTNmLWZkMTctNDFkMC1hODM5LTZhMzFhODAyZWNjNjowZjA2NmVkYS05OTA3LTQwM2ItOGQwYy04ODRkNmMyNzIyNGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)