Toronto comes to Yorkshire
A NEW £10m development will create 90,000 sq ft of Grade A office space in Leeds city centre.
The nine-storey Toronto Square, which is replacing the Cloth Hall Court building and is being developed by Newbury-based Highcross, will be ready for occupation in May 2009.
The development will see three additional floors at roof level and an extension to all lower floors of the building added.
The extension will create eight floors of offices, ranging from 7,000 sq ft on the top floor to 12,000 sq ft on a typical lower floor, together with a basement and contemporary reception.
New aluminum-framed windows will be installed and the building’s façade cleaned, with additional under croft and secure car parking created beneath the courtyard extension. There will also be a brand-new new entrance on Toronto Street.
Chris Mills, development director of Highcross, said: “The property’s excellent location and existing planning consent for expansion offered an exciting opportunity to significantly enhance its asset value and rental prospects. Once complete, the high quality refurbishment will make it a very attractive solution for companies seeking prime office space in the heart of the city centre.”
Guy Cooke, partner with property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, which is working with Highcross, said: “The redevelopment will create fantastic office accommodation in almost an unrivalled business location. The new additions and specification proposed by Highcross is exactly what the Leeds market requires and its delivery in the Spring of 2009 will coincide with a lack of Grade A stock, especially in the prime office core.”
Jonathan Shires, director of office agency at joint letting agents CBRE, added: “This is a fantastic project to be involved with and its completion will coincide with a shortage of prime offices. We are already receiving good interest from occupiers keen to benefit from Toronto Square’s unrivalled location.”
The building and refurbishment work is being carried out by Bradford-based contractors ISG.
