Property developers sell their former HQ following Leeds move

PROPERTY developers Sterling Capitol have offloaded their former HQ following a move to Leeds.

The investment company has sold Sterling House at Capitol Park in Leeds to online sports network Pitchero for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 2007, Pitchero is a global network of more than 12,000 sports websites bringing together players, parents, coaches and club officials online.

It has relocated from Birstall and brought 16 members of staff to Capitol Park.

Sterling House is a 3,546 sq ft office building in the heart of Capitol Park.

Mike Heydecke of Sterling Capitol commented: “This is an important deal for us, as the money raised helps us to concentrate on future developments at all of our motorway business parks at Leeds, Barnsley and Goole. We have some extremely exciting plans in the pipeline, which will create much-needed business space and jobs in both West and South Yorkshire.

“In particular, Capitol Park Leeds is a tremendous success story and recent lettings and deals have taken it to the 1,500 jobs target for Phase One.”

Mark Fletcher, managing director of Pitchero, commented: “As the UK’s largest online grassroots sports network, we are expanding fast and Sterling House is perfect for our needs.

“We have only just moved in, but feel at home already.”

The deal was brokered by the Leeds offices of global property consultancies JLL and Knight Frank, who both represented Sterling Capitol.

Richard Thornton, partner specialising in office agency with JLL, commented: “This is a significant deal for the out-of-town investment market in Yorkshire. There has been some post-Brexit uncertainty in the market, but this deal underlines that there is still a healthy appetite for well-located and attractive properties like Sterling House.”