Lease signed for city’s first zero carbon office property

Yorkshire Housing has signed a 10-year lease that will see it move into Leeds’s first zero carbon office building, developed by Citu.

It follows the sale of the housing association’s previous city centre HQ – Dysons Chambers.

Its relocation to “The Place”, based in Leeds Climate Innovation District, will allow Yorkshire Housing to make savings which will be reinvested into new and existing homes as well as supporting its move to become a carbon neutral business.

Low carbon building materials and processes are a feature of all Citu developments, and The Place includes solid cross-laminated timber floors, low energy timber-framed walls and cement-free concrete to minimise the carbon involved in its construction.

Yorkshire Housing is switching to a “hub, home and roam” working approach, which enables its staff to work from home, out in their communities, or from a central hub.

Chief executive Nick Atkin said: “We’re thrilled to be the first business to commit to a zero-carbon workspace here in Leeds.

“This move represents a remarkable milestone for Yorkshire Housing and the housing sector as a whole.

“We always intended to move to a flexible way of working and delivering services, however the pandemic has accelerated our plans.

“This approach will revolutionise the way we deliver services to our customers and by having an agile workforce we’re able to better meet their demands and respond more quickly to their needs at a time and place of their choosing.”

The new base will include features such as an indoor garden, outdoor meeting and leisure area and breakout spaces to create a working environment focused around wellbeing.

Staff can also take advantage of a roof terrace which houses a multi-use games area, yoga spaces and ample room for events, exercise and socialising.

Nina Evison, director of people and culture at Yorkshire Housing, said: “Our colleagues have already felt the benefits of flexible working and the news we’ll soon be moving into the region’s first zero carbon office space is really exciting.

“This won’t be a conventional office but an innovative, high-tech workspace where people come together to collaborate, share ideas and socialise, supported by a network of other local venues around the region.

“We’re giving colleagues greater flexibility to arrange their working day around childcare or other commitments and we’ve embraced new technologies that enable us to connect anytime, anyplace and anywhere.”

Jonathan Wilson, development director at Citu, said: “The Place has been on the drawing board for over five years with the simple yet important principle to provide a healthier, positive environment for future focused companies looking to take a bold move to a new, sustainable lifestyle for both the business and its team.

“With the building due to complete in just a few weeks, it’s fantastic to be announcing our first tenant.

“As with the homes at the Climate Innovation District, we wanted to attract businesses that share our mission to make a positive contribution to the local area and to the planet. Yorkshire Housing is doing exactly that.”

The housing association will be moving into the hub in February 2022. The deal was managed by commercial agents, Fox Lloyd Jones.