UKREiiF | Allied London unveils Leeds Dock refresh

The developer said remodelled buildings and other improvements will put the estate in the “vanguard of work, events and social space in the region, and help establish it as the city’s true creative district”.

More than 40 businesses are currently located at Leeds Dock and the new plans aim to double that number over the next two years.

Allied London will remodel four buildings for creative, media and tech businesses at the Dock – South Quay, West Dock, East Dock and South Dock.

This will open up 85,000 sq ft of fully fitted and serviced workspace and studios for the city’s creative industries to call home. The four buildings will offer a blend of spaces designed to create a truly diverse mix of businesses, independents and freelancers, Allied said.

Allied London’s proposal for the next generation of Leeds Dock estate includes:

• Two-year sustainability plan – The entire estate is to be powered by green renewable energy and will possess A-rated energy certificates for every commercial building in the district by 2026.

• Creative industry focus – A renewed emphasis on supporting the city’s creative industries and organisations, through improved infrastructure which future-proofs the district and supports emerging work trends.
• New work, studio, event and hospitality spaces – Additional amenities to accommodate the diverse work that the creative industries produce, plus the introduction of media facilities, aimed at local, regional and national businesses of all sizes, from start-ups, SMEs and established businesses.
• Affordable pricing structure – Allowing organisations of all sizes to find a space and make use of the amenities they need to create their best work on terms that suit them.
• Sponsored community facilities and activities – Additional wellness facilities and sauna, running club, open water swimming club, and paddleboard club to bring creatives together socially.

Responsible for the running of the Leeds Dock estate, Stephen Bickers, estate management director at Form and Form Sustain, said: “Our aim is for Leeds Dock to lead the new generation of sustainable commercial developments in the city. These plans set out a clear blueprint for how we will improve the estate’s ESG credentials and offer businesses a sustainable home to flourish. The ‘no gas’ strategy will lead our strict environmental charge to Net Zero and allow businesses to rest assured their headquarters are as green as their working practices.”

Allied feels the time is right for Leeds Dock’s next act. Credit: via PR Agency One

Scott Gray, sales director at Department, Allied London’s flex workspace operation, said: “Since its launch 12 months ago, Department Leeds Dock’s flex workspace building has proven a huge success. At 100% occupancy, it has provided a fantastic launch pad for a new approach to the Leeds Creative District and the advent of a workspace that accommodates creative businesses at the cutting edge.

“We have created a space that is different to anywhere else in Leeds. It is a genuine destination and has a great atmosphere and environment. Department will be at the heart of the Creative District we are establishing with the new workspace locations creating a complete ecosystem for businesses from the creative sectors.

“Large corporates on long leases bring some benefits, however, a district that supports different-sized businesses in shaping their own workspace increases diversity and builds a greater feeling of community. We can be the go-to place for the creative industries in the city.”

Department Leeds Dock will be added to, with the opening of another floor in the building to allow further amenities to be introduced.

In addition, the firm is introducing Department Studios and Department Creative to the space to better cater to the creative industries. These amenities work on a plug-and-play model.

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: “We have invested a large amount of time, resource and energy into Leeds Dock in recent years, however, it is now time to future-proof the estate and ensure its success into 2030 and beyond.

“Our vision is to establish Leeds Dock as the Leeds Creative District. While others in the city are failing to support the region’s creatives, we are ready to accommodate them and support their ideas and innovation.

“I’m sure every investor, owner and manager of office buildings has been looking at the post-Covid environment and going through the various possibilities. We have concluded that there is a need for even greater diversity of inventory, occupiers and users. We must focus on our communities and the sectors that want to be together regularly in the workplace or studio. Their productivity and outputs are significantly increased by being in an inspiring place. Leeds Creative District can offer all this and more.

“We have established a vibrant community and these plans will help us scale it, bringing even more enjoyment to the work and social lives of the people that call it home. Our plans will bring more commerce to the city and make it relevant to the locality and also to Leeds as a whole.”