City Square House, the new 140,000 sq ft office building next to Leeds Station, has been “topped out.”
This major landmark, which has been developed by MRP and built by McAleer and Rushe, is the most significant new office building in Leeds for a generation.
Speakers at the Topping Out ceremony included Tom Riordon, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, with Tracy Brabin, the first Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Councillor Robert Gettings MBE JP, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, among the guests.
Completion of the £100 million City Square House, scheduled for the end of this year, will coincide with the completion of the extensive public realm improvement works at City Square.
The prime workspace will comprise Grade A office accommodation over 12-storeys including low carbon credentials, terraces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels and extensive cycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging point facilities.
Global law firm DLA Piper has already signed a deal to take 83,000 sq ft of prime office space at City Square House in the largest private sector pre-let deal in Leeds in the past 20 years.
Meanwhile Markel, an SME-focused expert in providing integrated insurance, tax and legal services, has taken 20,000 sq ft at City Square House on a 15-year lease.
Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council’s Chief Executive, said: “It’s brilliant to see the progress being made on City Square House which is one of the most prominent locations in Leeds city centre. Further investment into commercial space, record cranes on our skyline and the growing appeal of Leeds to global businesses, shows how our great city is really continuing to thrive economically.”
Angus Montieth, development director at MRP, said: “We have been quietly going about our business of building the best office development in Leeds with sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of its design. City Square House is now nearing completion and will be the final piece of the City Square regeneration plan.
“We are delighted to welcome two companies with such excellent reputations as DLA Piper and Markel to City Square House. Our vision was to provide high specification, flexible Grade A workspace in the heart of the city centre and it is tremendously rewarding to witness this vision becoming a reality with more than 100,000 sq ft of space already let.”
Jonathan O’Neill, senior director at Design & Build contractors McAleer & Rushe, added: “City Square House has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding project for us. As this iconic building nears completion, we are so proud. There’s no doubt that City Square House will be a magnificent addition to the built environment in Leeds city centre and a symbol of the city’s thriving economy.”
Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who is advising MRP, said: “It is tremendous to see this flagship building nearing completion, providing a very genuine cause to be optimistic about the commercial property sector in Yorkshire.
“Two major pre-lets at City Square House are a resounding endorsement of this speculative development and we are experiencing strong interest in the remaining 37,000 sq ft of quality Grade A office space.
“City Square House is the iconic new office development that the Leeds market has been waiting for. It is in a prime position, just off City Square and next to Leeds Station, and the remaining space will help to address the pressing need for quality Grade A office space in the city centre.
“This splendid building now joins the Majestic, 1 City Square, 34 Boar Lane and Platform as four state-of-the-art office developments, which are a credit to the city of Leeds. They underline the fact that Leeds is now one of the most flourishing regional cities, not just in the UK, but in Europe,” said Mr Fox.
