Plans unveiled to create accommodation for more than 1,100 students

Property investor and developer, Town Centre Securities (TCS), has unveiled the next phase for its Merrion Centre in Leeds, with an ambitious application which aims to transform the one million sq ft mixed used scheme.

For the first time, the Merrion Centre is looking to include accommodation in its offering.

TCS’s planning application aims to introduce two new buildings within the Merrion Centre. These are designed to deliver 1,110 student bedrooms, comprising studios and cluster bedrooms.

The student accommodations will be complemented across both buildings with amenities including residents’ lounges, co-working spaces, meeting spaces, a cinema, gym, a karaoke room, 191 secure cycle spaces and external terraces.

It would involve the conversion of the 13-storey Wade House, a 1960s office building which has been predominantly vacant since May 2021. It would be next to a new 35-storey tower, on the site of 100MC which was previously consented as a new build office scheme.

Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of TCS, said: “We have identified significant untapped potential within our Merrion estate, strategically positioning it for future growth.

“We are pleased to submit this crucial planning application which signifies the commencement of our upcoming strategy for the Merrion Centre.

“Our dedication to investing in and enhancing this mixed-use city centre destination is resolute, and we are excited to embark on this next phase of development.

“The surrounding location and demographic has continued to evolve over previous decades, more recently with the first direct arena and numerous student and residential developments.

“These changes are set to continue with further developments coming forward including the proposed Convention Centre on Merrion Way.

“Our application has been carefully considered to strike a balance of reuse first with the re-invention of Wade House.

“The two buildings provide a rare opportunity to deliver a complementary student offer which will benefit from the vast array of retail and leisure amenities that the wider estate offers.”