Workspace operator acquires historic former cloth warehouse

A Yorkshire-based workspace operator has acquired Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council for an undisclosed sum.

WorkWell plans to retain the building’s commercial use and will offer the current occupiers workspaces as it improves the quality of the interior.

The four-storey, 22,979 sq ft building has a basement and attic space. The property currently has 30 individual units and offers communal spaces. It houses 50 creative businesses.

Oliver Corrigan, managing director of WorkWell, said: “We are pleased to allay any fears the current occupiers had about the building being sold and converted into flats.

“As a leading provider of serviced office space, we plan to improve the working environment of the building over the coming months. All the current occupiers will be offered space in the much-improved workspace.”

Aire Street Workshops was built in 1875 as a cloth warehouse. In 1981, the nearly derelict building was bequeathed to the city centre as a space to house and help small industrial businesses.

WorkWell is also Leeds-based and supports 800 people who work from its offices every month.

The office group operates two centres in Leeds and has recently opened its largest office development in Harrogate.