City centre office deal for listed consumer finance company
The Leeds office agency team of Knight Frank, led by partner Eamon Fox, has let 15,600 sq ft of Grade A office space at 26 Whitehall Road, Leeds.
Global consumer finance business International Personal Finance (IPF) has taken a 10-year lease on the fifth floor of the building, which is owned by Credit Suisse.
Fox, who advised Credit Suisse, said: “This is a very significant deal, underlining the fact that 26 Whitehall Road is one of the finest office buildings in the city.
“It already boasts some high-profile occupiers, including Yorkshire Post Newspapers, energy company Engie (formerly GDF Suez) and Sky, and is now full.
“These occupiers underpin the quality of 26 Whitehall Road and its excellent location.
“This deal, one of the largest of the last three months, also emphasises the strength of the Leeds office market, which has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the pandemic.
“Take-up of office space in Leeds city centre in the first half of this year was 280,000 sq ft, a 72% increase compared to the first six months of 2020.”
Gerard Ryan, CEO of IPF, which has relocated from Leeds City Office Park, said: “The end of our current lease provided a perfect opportunity to rethink our working practices as we move out of the pandemic, and provide a modern, carefully-designed workplace that reflects our priorities as we build our business: creating an inspiring, collaborative space.”
26 Whitehall Road is a 122,000 sq ft office space, a nine minute walk from Leeds Railway Station.
The Leeds office of property consultancy Colliers advised IPF.
