Jones Lang LaSalle and King Sturge appointed for Merchant Gate scheme

ENGLISH Cities Fund  has appointed real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle as joint leasing agents with King Sturge to oversee the office units within its £140m Merchant Gate scheme in Wakefield.

Both agents will handle 48,000 sq ft of office space across three buildings at 1 and 2 Burgage Square and Emerald House in the heart of the city, adjacent to Westgate train station.

Jeff Pearey, head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s national offices team based in Leeds, said: “Merchant Gate comprises three brand new buildings which make up an impressive new business district and comprise some of the best offices currently available in Wakefield.

“Part of an exciting, wider urban regeneration development which is reinventing the city, we are looking forward to working with ECf and King Sturge to extend the welcome to new occupiers into this exciting, vibrant scheme.”

Emma Cordingley, development director at English Cities Fund, added: “Having recently completed phase one, Merchant Gate is gaining great momentum, with several commercial enquiries coming through from national companies and local businesses such as cafes, restaurants and small independent retailers.

“Despite the economic climate, this landmark scheme – alongside developments such as Trinity Walk and the new Hepworth Gallery – are spearheading Wakefield’s current major urban regeneration programme.”

The Merchant Gate development is being delivered by ECf, a partnership between Muse Developments, Legal and General and national housing and regeneration agency the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Financial support has come from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.