I HAD not been along Spurriergate for a few weeks, and today had my first glimpse of the stunning piece of architecture that is emerging from under its wraps, to grace the entrance to our main city centre shopping street.

Perhaps I should reserve judgement until it's nearer completion, but for now, looking at the stylish lines and impressive facades, it looks as if it could be the envy of every 1970s Arndale Centre in the country.

If only we could have our awe-inspiring fountain from Parliament Street within close proximity, then it really would be a retail development of note. Again, only time will tell, but it looks as if will age well too, in a Stonebow House kind of way.

I bet the designers of the Victoria Quarter in Leeds and similar must be wondering where they went wrong, when they see what we can do with a few hundred tonnes of cement.

Graeme Rudd,

Kerver Lane, York.

Updated: 09:17 Monday, October 31, 2005