Further development on the cards for Holbeck Urban Village

FURTHER development is planned for Holbeck Urban Village in Leeds on the back of soaring demand for office space.

There are currently around 2,500 people working and living in Holbeck Urban Village and 150 businesses based in the area which includes Round Foundry Media Centre (RFMC), Tower Works and Marshalls Mill.

RFMC and Tower Works are both fully let.

Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Igloo’s Round Foundry regeneration project is managed by facilities management and consultancy company Creative Space Management.

HCA says it is looking to market the Tower Works development plot in spring 2014.

Paul Taylor, a director at Creative Space Management, said in the last three months the firm has seen enquiries for office spaces in Holbeck Urban Village double and they now have a waiting list for offices spaces at both the Round Foundry Media Centre (RFMC) and Tower Works.

He said there are plans in the “offing” to develop the site to keep up with demand.

“I think this is happening because of where we are – some of the buildings here are the best performing in the city. This will trigger development.”

According to Leeds-headquartered Creative Space Management, around 200 jobs were created last year by businesses in this area. The business said 60% of companies in the area also collaborate with each other – creating further business opportunities.

“There is a really powerful business community here and the job creation is pretty phenomenal,” said Taylor.

Recent news of the plans for the southern entrance project at Leeds station have received final approval and will bring thousands of passengers to the south side of the city.

“We cannot underestimate what the new southern train entrance will do and the infrastructure it will bring,” Taylor said.

Allied London, which acquired New Dock in 2012, plans to reposition the south bank area as a residential and business destination.

Taylor added: “Granary Wharf is now fully let, too, which is a real testament. It is a really exciting place to be.

“One of the greatest potentials for the southern side of the city is residential and the work by Allied London is a real opportunity to bring developers together to create a cohesive community along the south bank.”