Consent gained to redevelop former Bank of England regional HQ

Yorkshire-based property company Rushbond Group has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the Bank House office building in Leeds city centre – once the regional headquarters of the Bank of England.

The developer will embark on a programme to refurbish the 90,000 sq ft building to create Grade A office and associated amenity floor space.

Plans also include an internal extension and the creation of a multi-level central atrium.

The former bank vaults at lower ground floor will be repurposed to create a new auditorium, and those on the ground floor into a suite of meeting rooms.

Rushbond also has plans to substantially restore the exterior and create a new roof level business lounge and terrace.

Richard Baker, from Rushbond, said: “We are excited to have secured the next chapter for this important building.

“For more than 50 years, Bank House has been a landmark in the heart of the city’s commercial and financial district, and our planned redevelopment will ensure it meets the requirements of modern businesses.

“Rushbond’s long-term vision for Bank House is for a sensitive, best in class redevelopment which respects the significance of the building.

“The demand for Grade ‘A’ office space in Leeds remains strong and Bank House will deliver sustainable, energy efficient workspace to the highest design standards rich in occupier amenities – attracting a new generation of occupiers to be part of its future.”

Bank House is on the corner of King Street and Park Place. It features a European Brutalist-style design, clad in Cornish granite.

Work on the property is anticipated to start early in 2026, when the building becomes vacant, and to complete mid-2027.