Construction starts on 331 apartments in major city regeneration scheme

Building work at the SOYO Leeds project has begun on two apartment buildings for Hestia, the residential BTR brand for Federated Hermes.

The building of the Hestia apartments is scheduled for completion in late 2023. The development features two adjoining blocks in the new city centre district, with planning permission held for 331 apartments.

These will include a mix of studio, one, two and three-bed homes, as well as outdoor courtyards, and 12,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and ground floor amenity space.

And there will be new public realm including green spaces and a pedestrian square.

Matt Chillingworth, senior investment manager, Federated Hermes said: “Hestia’s priority is to deliver high quality, sustainable and relevant housing across the UK and in doing so are helping to deliver a meaningful impact on local communities.

“SOYO Leeds is an ideal location to achieve these goals. Our priority is to effectively integrate into and enhance existing communities creating positive environmental and social outcomes.”

Leeds-based DLG Architects have designed the buildings with sustainability credentials that go beyond statutory requirements, using techniques to cut embodied carbon alongside high levels of insulation and renewable technologies.

Caddick Group businesses Caddick Developments, Caddick Land and Caddick Construction will work with the project team to bring the scheme from blueprint to delivery.

TT&G has acted for Federated Hermes Limited.

SOYO Leeds has highlighted the positive social impact of the development so far, which includes:

• Nearly 500 local Leeds’ residents brought into employment on the first phase of SOYO – New York Square – the building of which continued throughout lockdown.
• Commitment to training and employing 20 apprentices has been met, despite the pandemic.
• Latest phase for Hestia will support a further 2,000 construction jobs, with the creation of 10 new apprenticeships.

Myles Hartley, managing director Caddick Developments said: “Projects like SOYO represent a huge investment in Leeds.

“I’m also hugely proud that we’ve been able to deliver the ambitious social value targets we set for ourselves, in spite of the pandemic.”

The Construction Team has engaged with over 1,000 students during the project through site visits, education workshops and work placements.

Caddick Construction is also trailing the new construction T Level with both Wakefield College and Leeds College of Building. T Levels are a new, two-year qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds.

Designed with employers, the T-Level is equivalent to three A Levels and has been developed to meet industry needs and prepare students for work.

Chris Wilson, commercial development director at Caddick Construction, said: “One of the main challenges within the construction industry is the skilled labour shortage and this is why we are keen to engage with education providers like Leeds College of Building and Wakefield College to work with the next generation to showcase the industry and roles within it.

“Working with Leeds College of Building, Wakefield College, UTC Leeds and Ahead Partnership we’ve been able to engage with over 1,000 students during the first phase of SOYO.”