£1m refurbishment of Leeds city centre public square unveiled

Major public realm works at Leeds city centre’s Bond Court have completed following a £1m investment by Evans Property Group with the scheme delivered in partnership with Leeds City Council.

The newly remodelled space is the realisation of long-term ambitions to regenerate Bond Court and the surrounding area, into which Evans is investing £25m.

Works have included new trees, planters, granite paving, floor lighting and the opening up of key walking routes.  The carriageway on Russell Street has been repaved in granite, giving Bond Court a large public square, piazza-style appearance which is ideal for lunch, evening and weekend outdoor trading for the neighbouring leisure operators. The new space complements nearby Greek Street, which has also seen a recent revival and will be pedestrianised for summer 2017.

Evans has played a major part in transforming Bond Court, including its jewel in the crown new 84 bedroom 5 star Dakota Deluxe hotel, developed in partnership with famed boutique hotelier Ken McCulloch and opening this month. In addition to the public realm works, Evans has invested in the upgrading of two major office buildings, Minerva and Capitol, creating more than 50,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation.

Evans has also attracted new restaurant operators, Tattu and Manahatta, into redeveloped units with outside terraces beneath Minerva, as well as agreeing an extension to Living Venture’s Blackhouse Bar & Grill, for year-round alfresco dining.  The Council is encouraging bars and restaurants to place tables and chairs on the street to give the area additional life and vibrancy.

Leeds City Council and Evans, alongside adjacent property owners, have shared an ambition for the comprehensive redevelopment of the space, which kicked off in 2013 with the first phase of works to improve the area around Boules Court. The final phase of works by Evans along with the delivery of all key elements of Bond Court is creating a revitalised leisure destination for Leeds.

Alan Syers, portfolio director at Evans Property Group, said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside Leeds City Council to bring back to life this public space, which provides important pedestrian links between the traditional office and retail/leisure cores of the city centre. Creating an attractive and stylish new square was a key part in the broader regeneration of Bond Court and the works have transformed the space into a thriving, vibrant, and appealing city centre destination.”

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning said: “This latest phase of the redevelopment of Bond Court has been delivered in partnership with Evans of Leeds and we are pleased to have been able to secure private sector funding to deliver this scheme. This scheme, together with the construction of a new hotel and refurbishment of adjacent office premises, underlines the economic confidence in this part of the city centre.
“Bond Court is now a high quality piece of public space, which, thanks to these improvements is less car dominated and more people-friendly, so we hope to see an increase in footfall on the space.”
Alan Syers from Evans Property Group and Cllr Richard Lewis