Saltaire

Saltaire is a Victorian model village located in West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. It was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen industry. The name Saltaire is a combination of Salt's surname and the River Aire, which runs alongside the village.

Salt built Saltaire to house his workers and to provide them with superior living conditions compared to the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions prevalent in nearby Bradford at the time. The village includes well-built stone houses, a park (Roberts Park), a church (Saltaire United Reformed Church), a hospital, and an institute (Saltaire Institute) which housed a library, reading room, concert hall, billiard room, science laboratory and gymnasium. The centerpiece of the village was Salt's massive textile mill, Salts Mill, a testament to his industrial prowess.

The architectural style of Saltaire is predominantly Italianate, reflecting the fashions of the mid-19th century. The village was carefully planned and designed to provide its residents with a self-contained and harmonious community.

Following the decline of the textile industry, Salts Mill eventually closed in 1986. However, the village was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, recognizing its historical and architectural significance as a well-preserved example of a 19th-century industrial village. Salts Mill has been revitalized as a commercial, retail, and arts space, housing the 1853 Gallery which features the works of artist David Hockney, along with shops, restaurants, and office spaces. Saltaire remains a popular tourist destination and a living community.