Major refurbishment for Leeds city centre offices

A MAJOR proposal to expand and modernise a landmark city centre office building has been given the green light.

Savills has secured full planning approval from Leeds City Council to refurbish 6-7 Park Row, which was purpose-built in the early 1970s as the regional headquarters for Lloyds Banking Group.

Designed by Abbey Hanson Rowe, the 10-storey office building is located at the junction of Park Row and Bond Street, close to new Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre and Leeds Train Station.

The plans will create 553sq m of additional floorspace through the introduction of new glazed cantilevers on the upper floors, glazed curtain walling to the ground floor, and two new entrances.

The upper floors of the building will be refurbished to provide Grade A standard office accommodation, with the ground floor being part converted to a restaurant. The lower basement of the building has also secured consent for a range of flexible uses, including use as a restaurant, bar, or a gymnasium.

Savills acted on behalf of CBRE Global Investors in securing planning permission.

Oliver Freer, associate planner in the Leeds office, said: “Park Row lies between the retail and office quarters in the city centre and securing this permission is certain to have a positive effect on this important gateway. The works to the ground floor and flexible uses approved to the lower basement will increase the building’s appeal to a wide range of future occupiers.

“We worked closely with officers from Leeds City Council to secure these changes and have been greatly encouraged by their flexible approach.”

Savills office agency is marketing the building on behalf of CBRE Global Investors.

Paul Fairhurst, head of the Leeds office, said: “The quality of the extensive refurbishment will create an iconic building just off City Square in the heart of the traditional core so popular with occupiers.”

Simon Lister, director from Savills investment team based in Leeds, added: “This next important step in our clients asset management programme will help reposition this important asset as one of the stand out Grade A buildings, strategically positioned between the Central Business District and retail core.”