New plans for former Lumiere site to be unveiled

NEW multi-million pound plans are to be released for Central Square in Leeds, the former site of the proposed Lumiere project.

Roydhouse Properties’ plans to develop an iconic office and leisure building on the site will go on display on Friday as part of a public consultation before being presented to Leeds City Council bosses next week.

The 225,000 sq ft project will include space for up to 2,500 workers over 11 floors and include a sky garden, restaurants and bars, a gym, 128 parking spaces and winter garden.

The site between Whitehall Road and Wellington Street in the centre of Leeds had been earmarked by KW Linfoot to become Western Europe’s tallest residential scheme, called the Lumiere, featuring two towers of 55 and 33 storeys, before KW Linfoot went into administration in 2009.

Mark Barnes, from Marrico Asset Management on behalf of Roydhouse Properties Central Square, said: “Our plans are to make Central Square the best commercial building in Leeds providing exclusive office space of the highest quality to blue chip companies who want to be in Leeds city centre.

“We’re already holding positive talks with many of these companies and our aim is to provide them with office space which fits their modern market requirements.”

He added: “Their belief in the project at this early stage is not only a vote of confidence for our plans for Central Square, but for Leeds as a business centre. We hope that the public attends the exhibition on Friday to see for themselves our ambitious plans for the site.

“Leeds has seen a solid level of activity and the year- to-date volume of new office lettings is already 33% higher than the previous full year total. Take-up has already substantially exceeded the five year average of 380,000 sq ft and it is anticipated that year end city centre volumes will be around 600,000 sq ft; potentially the highest level on record since 2000.”

“The lack of Grade A office accommodation together with general momentum in the UK economy, improved market sentiment and increase in occupier demand means office occupiers wanting large footplates built to excellent environmental standards are looking at potential pre let opportunities.”

If planning permission is granted work could start on site in summer 2014, with construction on Central Square completed by mid-2016.

The public exhibition will take place from 2pm to 7pm on Friday at Novotel Leeds City Centre, Whitehall Quay.