£4m scheme to modernise historic city building

Contractors have been appointed to comprehensively refurbish a central Leeds building, which was originally the home of Hepworth Tailors.

Wellington Park House, now renamed Tailors Corner, was bought for an undisclosed sum by property developers Boultbee Brooks last year.

Work will begin in September to transform the building, which is on the corner of Wellington Street and Thirsk Row, into Grade A office space. The £4m refurbishment programme will take 12 months. The main contractor is Simpson of York.

Eamon Fox, Partner with property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, which is marketing Tailors Corner, said: “Set over seven floors and offering over 25,000 sq ft of design-led Grade A work space with suites from 1,000 sq ft, we’re rebuilding the past and reinventing it for today.

“A place steeped in history — formerly a fabric and garment warehouse with a once state-of-the-art retail space at street level, it’s always been a site for trailblazers and forward-thinkers.

“Fast forward to 2020 and we’re reinvigorating this building. It’s called Tailors Corner in honour of its history – making its mark once more. We’ve designed Tailors corner around real people; the way people work, and what they do in between.

“We’ve done away with basement parking for the privileged few, in favour of installing bike storage and shower facilities for everyone. And, there’s an incredible roof terrace for all tenants.

“Set in the hubbub of the city just moments from Leeds station and the new Channel4 HQ, and with the Cycle Superhighway literally on the doorstep, Tailors Corner is designed as an inspiring modern space where businesses thrive within a community of like-minded people.”

The renovation is being led by the same architectural team Gpad, Hollis and Hoare Lea LLP, as many of Boultbee Brooks’ past developments, including Concordia Works in Leeds.

Fox added: “Boultbee Brooks have already demonstrated their commitment to excellence in Leeds with the stunning refurbishment of Concordia Works in Sovereign Street, which has won a number of prestigious awards.

“They had been looking for a suitable development opportunity now Concordia Works has been completed. And this is it.

“The building will be radically refurbished to provide a solution to the increasing demand for trendy, cutting-edge office space in Leeds.”

“The newest generation of workers expect their office to be an inspiring and enjoyable place to work. Historically the preserve of technology and media firms, the ideal office combines collaborative spaces with individual work areas, as well as providing amenities that encourage people to think of work as an extension of home.”

The refurbishment includes: An eight-person lift; a communal roof terrace with feature planting, decking and views of the Leeds skyline; architecturally sympathetic feature ground floor entrances; a communal roof terrace on the seventh floor with a sixth floor terrace for exclusive use of that floor’s occupants; double glazed windows throughout; dedicated entrances on Wellington Street and Thirsk Row; showers and changing rooms; and 30 cycle racks.

Wellington Park House was originally built in 1881 for Hepworth Tailors but was badly damaged by the Great Fire of Leeds in July 1906. It was subsequently completely rebuilt and continued to be occupied by Hepworths, the forerunners of Next, until the 1920s.

Fox said: “The location is superb. As well as being so close to the railway station, there are an abundance of sandwich shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity providing excellent amenities for staff and occupiers.”