Nestled in the Holbeck area of Leeds, just a short walk from the city centre, stands one of the most important sites of the Industrial Revolution: the Round Foundry. Once a hub of innovation, invention, and industrial might, the Round Foundry helped put Leeds on the global map for engineering and manufacturing. Today, its regenerated buildings are home to creative businesses, independent cafes, and digital pioneers—but the red-brick structures still whisper tales of steam, steel, and the men who forged Britain’s industrial age.
A Crucible of Industry: Origins and Development
The Round Foundry was established around 1795, at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. It was founded by Matthew Murray, an accomplished engineer and inventor, alongside the Fenton, Murray and Wood Company. The name “Round Foundry” is derived from the round-shaped casting shop that formed a key part of the complex—though today, the original circular foundry no longer survives.
Holbeck, then a village on the outskirts of Leeds, became a key centre for manufacturing, thanks to its access to water power, later steam power, and its proximity to the River Aire and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. The Round Foundry was one of the first integrated engineering works in the world, combining iron founding, mechanical engineering, and assembly in one location.
Unlike earlier, fragmented modes of production, the Round Foundry represented a new vision: a fully self-contained manufacturing site, capable of designing, casting, and assembling complex machinery under one roof. This model would go on to influence industrial production across the globe.
Matthew Murray: The Man Behind the Machines
At the heart of the Round Foundry’s success was Matthew Murray (1765–1826). Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Murray trained in the textile industry before becoming a brilliant mechanical engineer. After settling in Leeds, he began working with the textile manufacturer John Marshall, who was revolutionising flax spinning.
Murray’s genius lay in his ability to design and improve complex machinery, particularly steam engines and textile machinery. He was instrumental in the development of the self-acting mule for spinning, and he patented a more efficient version of the steam engine.
In 1812, Murray built the world’s first commercially successful steam locomotive for the Middleton Colliery in south Leeds—named Salamanca—which used rack and pinion gearing for traction. This was almost two decades before George Stephenson’s famous “Rocket” locomotive. In fact, Murray and Stephenson were fierce rivals, and some historians argue that Murray deserves greater recognition as one of the true pioneers of railway engineering.
Innovations and Achievements
Throughout the early 19th century, the Round Foundry became synonymous with cutting-edge industrial machinery. The firm of Fenton, Murray and Wood (and later, Fenton, Murray and Jackson) was responsible for:
- Steam engines for mills, ships, and pumping stations.
- Flax-spinning machines, contributing to Leeds’ booming textile industry.
- Locomotives, including Salamanca, which ran on the Middleton Railway—now the oldest continuously operating railway in the world.
- Marine engines, used in early steamships.
- Precision tools and machine parts, exported throughout the British Empire and beyond.
By the 1820s, the Round Foundry was one of the largest engineering works in Britain, employing hundreds of skilled workers. Its influence extended far beyond Leeds: it supplied equipment to manufacturers across Europe and the Americas and trained a generation of engineers who carried Murray’s legacy into the later 19th century.
Industrial Decline and Disuse
As the 19th century progressed, the pace of technological change intensified. New firms, particularly in Lancashire, Birmingham, and the North East, began to overtake older establishments like the Round Foundry. Following Murray’s death in 1826, the company gradually lost its competitive edge.
By the mid-19th century, the original company had dissolved, though parts of the site continued to be used for various industrial purposes. Over time, however, Holbeck’s fortunes declined. The area became increasingly run-down, plagued by post-industrial neglect and poverty. Many of the buildings fell into disuse or were repurposed as storage and light workshops.
The 20th century saw further deterioration, as global shifts in manufacturing and economic policies devastated Britain’s industrial heartlands. By the 1980s, the Round Foundry was a shell of its former self—its historical significance largely forgotten by the public.
Restoration and Regeneration
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, efforts began to restore and repurpose the Round Foundry as part of wider regeneration schemes in Leeds. The Holbeck Urban Village initiative, backed by Leeds City Council and supported by developers like Citu and Igloo, aimed to preserve the area’s industrial heritage while creating a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood.
Rather than demolishing the old buildings, developers chose to adapt and reuse the surviving structures, retaining much of their external character while modernising the interiors. This approach helped turn the Round Foundry into a model of heritage-led urban regeneration.
Today, the site houses a variety of tenants:
- Tech start-ups and digital agencies, forming part of Leeds’ growing creative and tech economy.
- Independent cafes and restaurants, including the popular Midnight Bell pub and Out of the Woods coffee shop.
- Design studios, architecture firms, and media production companies, all drawn to the area’s unique atmosphere and history.
Crucially, the regeneration preserved key features of the old industrial buildings: the red-brick walls, iron pillars, arched windows, and courtyards where wagons and workers once bustled with activity. Walking through the Round Foundry today feels like stepping between the past and the future.
Heritage Recognition
The Round Foundry is now a conservation area, and many of the buildings are Grade II listed. These listings help protect the site’s historical and architectural integrity, ensuring that any future development must respect its unique character.
Leeds Civic Trust and various local history groups have played a role in raising awareness about the Round Foundry’s significance. Informational plaques and public artworks now mark important spots within the site, telling the story of Matthew Murray, the steam engines, and the innovations that transformed Britain.
The Middleton Railway, still operating as a heritage line, remains connected to this legacy, with the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills also celebrating Murray’s contribution to engineering and steam technology.
The Round Foundry Today: Past Meets Present
Far from a decaying relic, the Round Foundry has become one of the most sought-after business locations in Leeds, particularly for creative and tech enterprises. Its fusion of industrial heritage and modern design is emblematic of Leeds’ evolution from manufacturing to innovation.
Events such as Leeds Digital Festival, heritage open days, and walking tours often include the Round Foundry on their itineraries. The site continues to inspire pride, curiosity, and conversation—a symbol of what Leeds was, and what it can be.
The story of the Round Foundry is also a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of urban development: rise, fall, and reinvention. Where once fire, coal, and steel reigned, now creativity, collaboration, and sustainability are shaping the future.
Conclusion
The Round Foundry in Leeds is more than just a historic industrial site—it is a living example of innovation, resilience, and regeneration. From the clang of hammers forging steam engines to the click of laptops writing code, the spirit of invention remains alive on these cobbled streets.
The legacy of Matthew Murray and the pioneering engineers who walked these grounds continues to influence the city’s identity. In preserving and reimagining the Round Foundry, Leeds has not only honoured its past—it has created a foundation for a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking future.
