Property development firm launched by Leeds charity
LEEDS charity St George’s Crypt has launched a property development firm.
The company will have a management of well-known Leeds property and construction board members.
St George’s Crypt Development Company will provide homes and community facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people throughout Leeds.
The company’s directors include Mark Henderson from Brewster Bye Architects, Jonathan Morgan from city living specialists Morgans, quantity surveyor and project manager Richard Cavadino, Joel Owen from The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Maggie Gjessing, executive regeneration manager at Leeds City Council and Reverend Jonathan Clark from St George’s Church.
The first site that St George’s Crypt Development Company plans to develop is located next to Saint Hilda’s Church in Cross Green. It will offer 20 homes and community facilities.
The company also intends to expand a Headingley hostel on Regent Terrace that currently offers accommodation for 10 men with alcohol dependency.
Based at the church of St George’s in Leeds, the charity has been supporting homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Leeds and its surrounding areas since 1930.
Mark Henderson said: “As a company, we have a longstanding relationship with St George’s Crypt, which was forged by Brewster Bye’s co-founder, the late David Bye.
“Over the last 20 years we have worked with the charity on a pro bono basis on a wide range of highly successful projects and it’s great to be taking it to the next level by launching this development company.”
Jonathan Morgan added: “This company has been set up to build on the great work that The Crypt already does in supporting the homeless in Leeds.
“The objective of St George’s Supported Living is to provide safe, managed homes for clients of The Crypt as they leave their addictions behind and work towards independence.
“The sites in Cross Green and Headingley both offer great potential and we’re already considering several other sites across the city.”
Martin Patterson from St George’s Crypt, said: “This exciting project will enable us to significantly expand the work that St George’s Crypt does in Leeds.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have such an experienced team on board who will all contribute towards ensuring our developments will be a success as well as providing inspirational environments for our residents to make positive changes in their lives.”
