Clegg Construction wins prestige Leeds office job
Prescient Capital has triggered the start of works on the redevelopment of Wellington Plaza into a new-build 80,000 sq ft eight-storey block rebranded as 31 Wellington Street.
Clegg Construction has been appointed as main contractor to deliver the DLA Architecture-designed £54m project.
An updated planning permission in May last year saw the previous permission upgraded to the total rather than partial demolition of the existing four-storey 1980s building.
Joint venture partners Prescient Capital and Asset Capital secured the permission, with Prescient subsequently buying out its partner. The developer has now appointed Knight Frank, Fox Lloyd Jones and Cushman & Wakefield to market the scheme.
The building holds a prominent position at the junction of Wellington Street and Northern Street, directly opposite Wellington Place, and just a few minutes’ walk from Leeds train station.
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Prescient is aiming for top ESG credentials, targeting EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, Fitwell 3 Star, NABERS 5 star, & Wired score platinum.
The building will include co-working space, with floorplates available between 3,000 & 9,500 sq ft. The top floor will feature a sky lounge for client entertaining and social events, with further amenities including a fitness suite, changing facilities/showers and secure cycle storage.
A statement entrance and lobby is the aim. Credit: via French PR
Doug Friend, chief executive of Prescient Capital, said: “We’re delighted to now get this project underway. Leeds currently has a significant shortfall of prime workspace and this elevated ESG credential property is perfectly located and designed to assist in relieving some of that pressure.
“This also marks a return to the commercial office sector for me and Rob Randall, Prescient Chairman, having previously funded and managed over two million sq ft of Grade A office space across the UK.”
Along with DLA and planner Quod, advisors include civil and structural engineer Roscoe, service engineer Thornley & Lumb, fire engineer BB7, Hydrock advising on BREEAM & Fitwell, Ridge on NABERS & AH Connections on WiredScore.
Nick Salkeld, partner at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “Fox Lloyd Jones is proud to be a part of the team bringing forward this exemplar development designed to the highest standards and current day ESG benchmarks.
“It is a truly unique landmark scheme for the Leeds office market offering boutique, high-end workspace in a prime West End location.”
Site preparation works have been started, with the full demolition programme inked in to begin in September. Project completion is expected by July 2027.
Prescient’s approved application can be viewed on Leeds City Council’s planning portal, with the reference 24/9/00113/MOD.
