Property developer snaps up Temple Mill before it gets to auction

Property developer CEG is to acquire the Grade One listed Temple Mill building on Marshall Street in an agreement made before the property was due to head to auction today.

The firm last night confirmed the purchase of the building in the South Bank area of Leeds city centre, which comes just months after submitting plans for a development on a 3.52 hectare derelict site in the same district for offices, retail, hotel, parking, homes and public spaces.

Temple Works was due to be sold by public auction today, with a starting bid of just £1. In recent years, the privately owned building, which is around 200 years old, has been earmarked for development by Burberry but this fell through.

 

CEG Development director Jon Kenny said: “We are pleased to become the custodian of an important element of the city’s historic culture and look forward to working with Leeds City Council to progress the regeneration of this challenging site.”

CEG said that the reuse of the historic building, with its extensive physical and environmental liabilities, will require creative and innovative ideas. It has monitored the various initiatives throughout the years to bring Temple Mill back into use.

The company added: “As a developer with a strong track record of working closely with Leeds City Council to unlock key regeneration sites, CEG welcomes the challenge the building offers.

“Recognising the difficulties that the redevelopment of this site has posed for many years, CEG, along with its technical team, aims to work closely with Leeds City Council together with other consultees and interested parties to explore viable and long term sustainable solutions for its redevelopment.”

CEG has managed investments in Leeds for many years, including the flagship Kirkstall Forge development and office assets at Thorpe Park and Albion Street.

CEG added: “With a wealth of experience in place-making, transport strategy and regeneration, as well as detailed technical knowledge of the area and a history of engagement with its communities, CEG looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Leeds City Council to design a scheme which will benefit the city for future generations.”

Leader of Leeds City Council, councillor Judith Blake, said: “It’s a very positive step that new owners have been secured for the historic Grade One Listed Temple Works. We will look to work collaboratively with CEG to bring this important part of Leeds’ heritage back in to use and secure its long-term future.”

The online description of the property when it was up for sale stated: “Grade I Listed former Flax Mill extending to 10948 sq m (117,848 sq ft) approximately (the measurements exclude the “1953” infill and basements) in a state of disrepair, plus car park.”

The building has offices, storage on workshops on three floors and the ground floor is still described as “Former Flax Mill.”

Its car park is currently let on a tenancy at will at £6,000 a year.

 

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