HMRC, working with the Cabinet Office, will take 378,000 sq ft at Wellington Place on a 25 year lease in the biggest ever commercial property letting in Leeds. The deal will see 6,000 civil servants working in a state-of-the-art new city centre premises in 2020. NHS Digital will also relocate to the space.
Wellington Place will deliver high quality offices for civil and public servants, including for HMRC, which will operate one of its 13 regional centres from Wellington Place. The project will see the construction of buildings 7 and 8 from MEPC’s masterplan.
Developed by MEPC on behalf of the joint venture between Hermes Investment Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the new building will create grade A office accommodation with a BREAAM excellent rating.
James Dipple, chief executive of MEPC, said: “The Government’s decision to locate at Wellington Place, in the heart of Leeds, is great news for the city as it maintains its evolution as a key northern location for business. We are proud to be a part of its sustained development and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
The project is part of the Government’s plans for building a strong Civil Service base across the UK.
Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency, Caroline Nokes, said: “The Leeds hubs will be a catalyst for growth in the surrounding cities and towns, helping to rebalance the UK economy and underpin our strategy for a strong, well-connected Northern Powerhouse that can continue to provide good-quality jobs and economic growth across the region.”
Chief Executive of NHS Digital, Sarah Wilkinson, said: “Over the past few years, Leeds has established itself as the major digital city in England with a thriving technology sector, which NHS Digital is proud to be a part of. The work NHS Digital does here in Leeds affects the lives of everyone in the country. Being part of the Government Hubs programme in Leeds is a great opportunity to work in partnership with both national and local organisations.”
The buildings’ significant position on Whitehall Road will offer a prime city-centre location, easy access to the Leeds’ retail quarter and convenient transport links across the country via road and rail. In addition to its excellent working environment, employees will enjoy additional Wellington Place community benefits, including a workplace choir, onsite allotments, free bike hire and regular wellbeing and community events. The development also includes a wide selection of amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym, cafes, bars and restaurants, and extensive public space.
Wates has been selected as the contractor following a successful long term relationship at Wellington Place on earlier phases on the development, with the Leeds office of Cushman and Wakefield representing MEPC.
The Government Property Unit, which was established in 2010 to work with central government departments to drive savings across the government estate, has been on the hunt for 13 consolidated regional bases.
