Engineering firm begins work at £300m regeneration project

Engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), has announced its start on site on the first phase of work on a £300m regeneration scheme in Leeds.

It is working on behalf of Moda Living, a developer and operator of homes for rent and its sister company, Caddick Construction.

SES was appointed in December 2019 to provide design and installation of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing services to apartment blocks E and F at New York Square, which is part of the wider SOYO (South of York Road) development, a mixed-use scheme for the Quarry Hill area.

Now on site, work on the two multi-storey blocks will see SES install services to 515 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and the wider communal areas of the two ‘C’ shaped residential blocks including shared lounges, roof terraces, a fitness and well-being studio as well as flexible workspaces.

SES will use its in-house manufacturing facility, Prism to prefabricate cupboard services for each apartment and modularise corridor services for speedier installation throughout the blocks.

This latest contract to get underway will keep SES and its local supply chain busy until July 2022, when the contractor is anticipated to handover block E following the earlier completion of block F in February of that year.

Designed by DLG Architects, New York Square will be home to a new hotel, bars, restaurants, and further residential development.

Additionally, a multi-storey car park will be constructed, all of which will be complemented by high-quality public realm and open green spaces.

Paul Beaumont, SES’ operations director north, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Moda Living and Caddick Construction on such a key regeneration scheme for Leeds City Centre.

“Given our proven track record of delivering similar private rental schemes and student living schemes across the UK, combined with our early design involvement, I have every confidence that we will complete the work in accordance with the build schedule.

“Furthermore, using our well-established Leeds-based supply chain and local in-house resource, we will be providing employment and training opportunities well into the future.”

Moda’s project director, Carl Wood, added: “We are delighted to have SES on board as part of the delivery team for such a significant city centre development.

“This scheme reflects our confidence not only in our build quality but the need for it, together with the creation of a new neighbourhood which sits alongside the city’s arts and cultural quarter, counting Leeds Playhouse, Northern College of Music and the BBC among its neighbours.”

Once completed, SOYO will offer over one million sq ft of places to live, work and visit.