Ground breaking scheme planned for Leeds City Centre

Holbeck Estates has announced that it has submitted a detailed planning application as a first phase of a major new development scheme in the Holbeck Urban Village area of Leeds City Centre. The company has a land holding of over 5 acres in the Holbeck Urban Village and plans to develop this over the next 5 years into a range of properties which will become the focal point of the regeneration area and the heart of this new and exciting area of the City.

This is the second major detailed planning application in the Urban Village Conservation Area. The scheme will provide over 100,000 sq feet of Grade A commercial office space with opportunities for retail, leisure and active uses at ground floor level.

Paul Nathan-Geary, Property Director at Holbeck Estates, said: “We are delighted that this planning application has now been registered. Our strategy is to develop a range of high quality, architecturally distinctive commercial properties on our landholdings to create a critical mass of employment opportunities to sustain the city’s vision for the Holbeck area. We have a long term commitment to Holbeck and are confident of attracting major office occupiers to this high profile site.”

“Our buildings will all reflect the ethos of the Urban Village, including its environmental commitments, and with this particular building we are confident of achieving a BREEAM excellent rating.”

The first phase office building, situated on Water Lane, directly opposite the Round Foundry has been designed to meet the growing demand for high quality office accommodation in the City, which remains strong despite the current economic climate. The scheme will provide some of the largest floor plates in Leeds extending to circa 23,000 sq feet offering flexible efficient accommodation around a stunning central atrium.

Duncan Senior of CB Richard Ellis added: “This is a very exciting project. There is still significant demand from tenants for this type of office space in Leeds, and with little commitment from developers willing to commence speculative construction on many of the major schemes; we see real potential to harness this demand. This scheme will deliver quality office accommodation at a time of potential undersupply, providing a unique working environment that fulfils the exact requirements of those companies that choose to base their businesses there.”