Developers announced for major city centre development

The development company selected to carry out a major scheme to revitalise an historic street in Leeds city centre has been announced this week.

Members of Leeds City Council’s executive board have approved Town Centre Securities (TCS) as the council’s selected partner to transform the George Street area, between Kirkgate Market and the Victoria Gate development, at their meeting earlier this week (Wednesday 13 December).

TCS submitted plans for the development following an open invitation by Leeds City Council, to all developers, for proposals to create a high-quality development for the gateway between the new Victoria Gate development and newly refurbished Kirkgate Market.

It was agreed at the executive board meeting that the council and Town Centre Securities will form a partnership, with the Council acquiring a 50% ownership of the completed development. The overall investment by Leeds City Council is estimated to be £12.9 million.

The proposals include replacing the current outdated 1930s and 1980s buildings with a new apart-hotel and nine commercial units which will bring more visitors into the area and improve the flow of customers between the market and Victoria Gate. The high standard of the proposed development will attract high quality retailers which will not only add value to but also complement the existing offer in the market.

The ground floor commercial units will have entrances on George Street and form connections through to the former Butchers Row, which offers the opportunity to access the market from several points along George Street. The apart-hotel will also link directly into the market as well as from George Street to encourage guests to visit Kirkgate during their stay in Leeds. Bringing a high quality apart-hotel to this area of the city centre will bring positive economic impacts and help boost the visitor economy.

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said:

“The redevelopment of the George Street area is a unique opportunity to enhance and revitalise an historic area of the city. We are at early stages of the proposals but we are keen to work with Town Centre Securities to create the right development for this part of the city. The existing buildings are outdated and out of proportion with the Grade I Listed market building and the Victoria Leeds development opposite, so by creating a building more in-keeping with its new surroundings, we can encourage new visitors and enhance business for our market traders.”

Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief executive at Town Centre Securities commented:

“We are keen to work with the city council to continue the regeneration of this area of the city and build linkages with the adjacent Victoria Gate development. We believe the redevelopment of the George Street buildings will strengthen these linkages to the benefit of both”.

A full planning application for the development will be submitted in 2018 with work due to start in 2019.

Discussions with the existing tenants who will be affected by the redevelopment have been taking place for a number of years and alternative arrangements have already been made with the majority, either to relocate elsewhere, potentially look to be part of the completed development or receive an appropriate level of compensation.

ENDS

Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) is a Leeds based property investment and development company with assets of approximately £375m. With more than 50 years’ experience, a commitment to sustainable development and a reputation for quality and innovation, TCS creates mixed use developments close to transport hubs in major cities across the UK. Its current portfolio delivers an annual income of more than £26m.