‘Next generation’ blueprint published for business and leisure destination

Property development and investment company, Allied London, has unveiled its plans for the next generation of its Leeds Dock estate.

The business says it wants to put the estate at the vanguard of work, events, and social space in the region. Over 40 firms are currently located at Leeds Dock and the new plans aim to double that number over the next two years.

Allied London says it will remodel four buildings for creative, media and tech businesses at the Dock – South Quay, West Dock, East Dock and South Dock.

This will open up 85,000 sq ft of fully fitted and serviced workspace and studios for the city’s creative industries to call home.

The four buildings will offer a blend of spaces designed to create a diverse mix of businesses, independents and freelancers.

Proposal for the next generation of Leeds Dock estate includes:

• Two-year sustainability plan – The entire estate is to be powered by green renewable energy and will possess A-rated energy certificates for every commercial building in the district by 2026.
• Creative industry focus – A renewed emphasis on supporting the city’s creative industries and organisations, through improved infrastructure which future-proofs the district and supports emerging work trends.
• New work, studio, event and hospitality spaces – Additional amenities to accommodate the diverse work that the creative industries produce, plus the introduction of media facilities, aimed at local, regional and national businesses of all sizes.
• Affordable pricing structure – Allowing organisations of all sizes to find a space and make use of the amenities they need to create their best work on terms that suit them.
• Sponsored community facilities and activities – Additional wellness facilities and sauna, running club, open water swimming club, and paddleboard club to bring creatives together socially.

Responsible for the running of the Leeds Dock estate, Stephen Bickers, estate management director at Form and Form Sustain, said: “Our aim is for Leeds Dock to lead the new generation of sustainable commercial developments in the city.

“These plans set out a clear blueprint for how we will improve the estate’s ESG credentials and offer businesses a sustainable home to flourish.”

Scott Gray, sales director at Department, Allied London’s flex workspace operation, said: “Since its launch 12 months ago, Department Leeds Dock’s flex workspace building has proven a huge success.

“At 100% occupancy, it has provided a fantastic launch pad for a new approach to the Leeds Creative District and the advent of a workspace that accommodates creative businesses at the cutting edge.

“Department will be at the heart of the Creative District we are establishing with the new workspace locations creating a complete ecosystem for businesses from the creative sectors.”

Amy Matthams, general manager of Department Leeds Dock, Allied London’s flex workspace company, said: “Following the stellar success of Department Leeds Dock, we are opening a new floor in the building which allows us to add further amenities for our members to benefit from.

“In addition, we are introducing Department Studios and Department Creative to the space to better cater to the creative industries.

“These amenities work on a plug-and-play model and let members add the features they need only when they need them.”

Michael Ingall, CEO of Allied London, added: “Our vision is to establish Leeds Dock as the Leeds Creative District. While others in the city are failing to support the region’s creatives, we are ready to accommodate them and support their ideas and innovation.

“I’m sure every investor, owner and manager of office buildings has been looking at the post-Covid environment and going through the various possibilities.

“We have concluded that there is a need for even greater diversity of inventory, occupiers and users. We must focus on our communities and the sectors that want to be together regularly in the workplace or studio.

“Their productivity and outputs are significantly increased by being in an inspiring place. Leeds Creative District can offer all this and more.”