Plans in for Leeds city centre office expansion

Plans to redevelop a prominent Leeds city centre office building have been given the go-ahead by the city council.

A joint venture partnership between Asset Capital and Prescient Capital has purchased Wellington Plaza, a prominent 1980’s former HQ building on Wellington Street.

Designed by DLA Architecture, the approved plans will increase the building’s floor space from 1,950m² to 7,150m² with Grade A specification floorplates up to 930m².

A total redesign of the buildings’ façade is planned, influenced by the local conservation area and ESG credential targets, including BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, minimum NABERS 5 Star, Fitwell 3 Star and Wired Score Platinum Certification.

The internal space is designed to support the post-pandemic hybrid way of working with flexibility for occupiers. This will include communal spaces, a large roof top terrace, sky lounge, and business lounge linked into reception for occupiers and their guests.

Daniel Newett, Chief Executive at Asset Capital, said: “We are delighted to secure planning consent to redevelop this important building in Leeds city centre that has lain vacant for some time now. We have plans to not only bring the site in line with its neighbouring Grade A premises but surpass this with a specification that the city has not yet seen, redefining the term ‘super prime’.

“We are very much repurposing an existing building, in line with our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, to provide an inspirational, collaborative, sustainable and futureproof working environment that is worthy of a leading European city for business.”