Contractors appointed for £25m Kirkstall Forge first phase
DEVELOPERS for the £300m Kirkstall Forge site have appointed a team including Wates as their principal contractor, for the first phase of the development.
The first phase is a 167,206 sq ft seven-storey office building, starting in the new year, with completion expected by spring 2017.
Planning was secured by Nathanial Lichfield and Partners on behalf of CEG and the building was designed by architects Cooper Cromar.
The whole site comprises 2.48 million sq ft mixed-use site, including 1,050 homes, 300,00 sq ft offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space. It is expected to create 2,400 jobs.
Wates will be responsible for delivering CEG and Leeds City Council’s vocational training programme on site, getting teenagers on site to work alongside developers, builders, architects and engineers, leading to apprenticeship opportunities.
James Shimwell from CEG said: “[Kirkstall Forge] is the most ambitious project in the north of England and we wanted to ensure we had a dynamic team helping to deliver our vision.
“We also look forward to our unique partnership which will train Leeds’ future architects, bricklayers, civil engineers, joiners, plumbers and electricians through site visits, curriculum projects, hands-on work experience and mentoring support.”
In addition to Wates, the first phase at Kirkstall Forge will be delivered by project manager Pierre Angulaire Limited, engineering consultancy WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff – civil and structural engineering consultancy, hydrological consultancy Weetwood, Turner and Townsend, and WYG.
Mechanical and electrical work, as well as lift engineering and BREEAM consultancy Hoare Lea and landscapers Planit-IE will also be involved.
Work is already underway to deliver a new dedicated railway station connecting the site to Leeds City Centre with infrastructure work being undertaken by I&H Brown.
Paul Dodsworth, business unit director for Wates Construction North East and Yorkshire said: “We’re extremely proud to be appointed as principal contractor for one of the most ambitious regeneration projects the region has seen for years.
“The scheme is integral to the economic growth of West Yorkshire and will see us utilise our vast experience in order to produce a unique living environment, which will perfectly complement the historic and natural surroundings.
“We look forward to commencing construction and helping CEG deliver their vision to create a vibrant community for people to live and work.”
Commercial Estates Group is currently supporting Leeds City Region attendance at MIPIM UK.
