Positive progress on the construction of 6 Wellington Place, has been marked with a traditional steel signing ceremony.
As work accelerates ahead of occupation in January 2016, the event signals a pivotal point in the development of the five-storey building, which is funded by a joint venture between Hermes Investment Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
James Dipple, chief executive of MEPC; Neil Clarke, Construction Director at Shepherd Construction, the appointed contractor on the build; Tom Riordan, chief executive at Leeds City Council and John Leake of first occupier, Squire Patton Boggs all signed the steel frame of the 106,000 sq ft structure.
With the steel skeleton in place, construction of 6 Wellington Place, which will offer grade A office and retail space, will continue to gather pace in the second half of this year with external glazing complete and internal fit-out work taking place.
6 Wellington Place will feature a floor to ceiling atrium, roof terrace, retail space and flexible office suites ranging from 4,973 sq ft to 19,784 sq ft. It has a prominent entrance, at the heart of the development, on Leeds’ newest and most exciting public space known as Tower Square.
Mr Dipple said: “We are all hugely excited about progress at 6 Wellington Place with work also progressing well on 5 Wellington Place, which is a speculative 75,000 sq ft grade A office building, set to be completed by the middle of 2016.
“These buildings continue the regeneration of this large masterplanned site, which will provide the first speculative grade A office development to have been constructed in Leeds for more than six years when 10 Wellington Place was completed last year.
“Bringing forward such a positive opportunity like 6 Wellington Place, and reaching the landmark of today’s traditional steel signing, reflects the ongoing growth and confidence we are seeing in Leeds and across the entire Northern Powerhouse.”
Shepherd Construction’s Neil Clarke, added: “It’s extremely gratifying to be involved in such a prestigious project and we are proud to be playing our part in bringing another quality building to Leeds here at Wellington Place.”
Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has agreed terms to become the first occupier at 6 Wellington Place and will take around 32,000 sq ft over two floors.
John Leake of Squire Patton Boggs, concluded: ““We are excited about our move to 6 Wellington Place next year. With state-of-the-art facilities and flexible working space, it will provide a prestigious platform for the firm’s long term future in Leeds, with headroom for further growth.
Squire Patton Boggs are the first to agree terms on what is proving to be one of the most in-demand commercial spaces in the city. A number of UK companies are currently in negotiations to take further space in the building.
Establishing itself as an outstanding new urban quarter and the business location of choice for many leading corporate organisations in Leeds, Wellington Place boasts modern, high specification office space designed to meet the needs of its occupiers both now and in the future.
Once complete, the 22 acre scheme will feature a vibrant, mixed-use community with around 12,000 people living and working there. It includes approximately 1.5million sq ft of mixed-use space, including offices, residential, retail and leisure as well as a central square focused around the listed Railway Lifting Tower dating back to the 1850s and wide pedestrianised boulevards and avenues.
Made in Leeds TV produced a news article covering the Steel Signing event. To see the video CLICK HERE.
