Practical completion reached at Leeds’ Kellstone
Developer Vastint UK has handed over nearly two-thirds of the 75,000 sq ft Aire Park office building to incoming anchor tenant Eversheds Sutherland.
A sustainability-forward project targeting BREEAM Excellent accreditation, along with WELL and WiredScore gold certifications, the seven-storey building has been delivered by main contractor Moortown for the Swedish-backed developer.
Along with 75,000 sq ft of grade A office space, it includes almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor retail and leisure.
Eversheds Sutherland’s team will now complete fit-out across floors three to six ahead of the law firm’s move. The firm also has exclusive use of the building’s roof terrace. Eversheds committed to moving from Bridgewater Place last September.
Aire Park’s first commercial buildings, 1 and 3 South Brook Street, opened last year. South Brook Street is now home to businesses including TPT, interactive investor, Devonshires, Jacobs, Ridge & Partners and was recently selected by rail provider, Northern, for a new centre of excellence.
Designed by architect Cartwright Pickard, Kellstone features a bull-nose frontage and curved façade, marking a key gateway to the development on the approach from Leeds station and the city centre.
Penny Cameron, managing director at Vastint UK, said: “The practical completion of Kellstone is another major milestone in the delivery of Aire Park’s commercial district and what is quickly becoming Leeds’ premier business address.
“Alongside the new Grade A office space, the building will also feature an active ground floor, offering retail and leisure opportunities that will look out over the park and create a vibrant and welcoming entrance to the development and our growing community.”
Peter Cartwright, director at Cartwright Pickard, said: “Kellstone is a high-performing, sustainable workplace rooted in its context. Off-site construction has played a key role in delivering the building whilst maintaining high design quality.
“Over 60% of the façade uses a single pre-cast panel type, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste. We are proud to be working with Vastint UK and its supply chain on a project that champions longevity, adaptability and placemaking.”
Along with Moortown, other firms on the delivery team included JPT Roofing and engineering company Inhus, which designed and delivered the pre-cast panel system.
Simon Harris, senior office partner in Leeds for Eversheds Sutherland, said: “We love the positive energy at Aire Park, and Kellstone embodies that perfectly. On visiting Aire Park, Kellstone immediately stood out as the right fit for us – a high-quality, future-focused space that supports both our colleague and client communities. There’s a strong sense of direction at Aire Park, and we’re excited it’s taking a central role in the next phase of our growth in the city.”
Cllr James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The Kellstone building is a really impressive addition to Aire Park and underlines the momentum behind the development as a whole.
“Aire Park’s emergence as a modern, vibrant neighbourhood is already strengthening Leeds’s reputation as a great place to live and do business, and one where a wide range of partners and stakeholders are committed to driving inclusive growth.”
