Grade II-listed Wellington Street site gets new lease of life

Developers have been given the green light for “radical” proposals for the reconstruction of Leeds city centre buildings to go ahead.

Construction will begin on 26 apartments and a 9,000 sq ft restaurant, set for 17 Wellington Street and 47 Aire Street.

The building owners Hallborough Properties, advised by Holbeck Land, were also given permission for a coffee shop on the lower ground floor.

The developers will maintain the ornate frontage of 17 Wellington Street and the gable walls of the grade II-listed building.

The majority of the rear extension to Aire Street demolished and replaced with a new six storey building.

It is part of the ongoing revival of Leeds’ west end, with MEPC/s Wellington Place development set to grow further.

Architects Think Architecture has created a sympathetic blend of old and new structures connected by internal bridge links. A particular feature is the approval to create an extended “at grade” restaurant entrance on Wellington Street by the removal of existing steps.

This leisure element will have dual frontage to both Wellington Street and Aire Street and can be divided to suit individual occupiers’ requirements.

Barton Wilmore LLP, has provided planning and economic benefit advice in support of the granting of Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent. Stuart Natkus, planning director at Barton Willmore, said: “This project will deliver a new lease of life to an historic city centre building.”

Pudney Shuttleworth is retained to promote the leisure opportunity. Morgans City Living is advising on the residential units, which the firm will be letting and managing.

Hallborough Properties is to retain the investment following completion of the development.