37-storey accommodation tower plans approved
Plans to build a 37-storey student accommodation building in the Arena Quarter of Leeds have been given the green light.
Leeds City Council yesterday approved plans submitted by London-based developer Olympian Homes on a site currently occupied by Hume House on Wade Lane in the city centre.
The scheme, designed by O’Connell East Architects, will provide 752 student bedrooms, plus a roof terrace on the 35th floor. The rooms will comprise of 96 studios and 135 four, five and six ‘clusters’ (totalling 656 bedrooms).
Level one of the building will house a common room and services including the laundrette and study rooms will be on levels 24 and 35.
The developers are expecting to start demolition of the existing 1960s-built Hume House building in the near future, with a view to starting the construction of the building in October 2018 in readiness for occupation of the development in August 2021.
The planning report states: “The landmark building for Leeds would complement the evolving Arena Quarter and provide a significant addition to the skyline of the city in an area of the city centre identified with a potential for tall buildings.”
As part of the plan, the public realm surrounding the building would be enhanced and a contribution will be provided towards improving the pedestrian environment along Merrion Way.
The existing building is a part two-storey and part five-storey office building dating from the late 1960s, sitting on top of a small basement car park accessed from Tower House Street.
Simon Murray-Twinn, chief executive officer of Olympian Homes, told Construction Enquirer: “We are very excited with the opportunity to add this striking building to the skyline of Leeds city centre and to contribute to the continual growth of the City.
“We intend to start works on site this year and will create up to 450 jobs during the construction phase along with local apprenticeship schemes as part of our investment in the area.”
