CEG has submitted a reserved matters (detailed) planning application for the next 200,000 sq ft of commercial space at the £400 million Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds
Designed by Cooper Cromar architects, it will provide bold, contemporary space with leisure/retail space on the ground floor and flexible office accommodation with open floor places from 11,000 sq ft.
Designed as two office buildings with a concealed dedicated car park between them, it will offer electric car charging, a cycle spa, shower rooms, locker facilities, as well as outdoor rooms and balcony features to maximise the wooded, riverside views. A blend of masonry, high performance glazing and cladding will reflect the commercial as well as the new residential elements on the site helping to blend the mix of uses being delivered across the 57-acre development.
Architect Graham Forsyth, Director of Cooper Cromar, said: “Having secured the British Council of Office’s best Commercial Workplace for the first phase, we had set a high benchmark. Agile, flexible space will be provided for businesses large and small. A bold, contemporary building, we have worked hard with the team to ensure we use the latest technological advances to ensure it is even sustainable, efficient, productive, healthy, future-proofed and digitally resilient than the first phase.”
In addition to securing Best Commercial Workplace in the UK, the first 110,000 sq ft office was also named the UK’s healthiest building by Property Week. Designed to a specification which exceeds most city centre products, it harnesses its unique setting, offering those within the building exceptional views across the riverside, wooded valley.
The top four floors of the building are now Zenith’s headquarters, with the remaining three floors housing Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, Bupa, CEG and Butlers restaurant and bar. This high calibre of customers evidences the high specification of the space, as well as the benefits offered by the adjacent railway station connecting to Leeds City Station in six minutes, on-site cycle, car and scooter hire, riverside and woodland location, meeting rooms for hire, Butler’s café and business lounge and the fitness clubs and activities offered by the Forge Life team.
Only two Let Ready Studios remain at the site, available from 8 desks upwards and offering comms-ready and fully furnished space with fitted kitchens and break-out space on all-inclusive, flexible terms.
Fox Lloyd Jones is appointed to market these, as well as the new 200,000 sq ft office development. Paul Fox said: “We are very excited to see the planning application for the next phase of offices at Kirkstall Forge submitted. Now that the multi-award-winning Number One Kirkstall Forge is almost fully occupied and, given the lack of office supply across the city, we feel timing is perfect to bring this next phase to market.
“This will be another prime city centre quality property in this unique and inspiring environment, just six minutes from Leeds City Centre. The quality benchmark has already been set at an extremely high level, but we are confident we can maintain and even better it by ensuring we listen to what occupiers want and need, and delivering on these demands with a forward-thinking and technologically advanced building, all in a setting where people are inspired to come to work.”
Ultimately, the £400million Kirkstall Forge scheme is set to become home to a thriving mixed-use community comprising of 1,050 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.
Nick Lee, Development Director at CEG, said: “This next phase will bring some of the most advanced and well-connected office space to Leeds. This, alongside our commercial development close to Leeds City Station at Temple will help to meet the need for high quality workspace in attractive environments, helping businesses to attract and retain talent.”