St Paul’s House £3.5m refurb completes in Leeds
The grade two-listed building, which overlooks Park Square in the centre of the city, now offers grade A space following a project spearheaded by Knight Frank on behalf of owner EPIC UK.
The rest of the professional team consisted of project manager In4M, designer Incognito, fit-out contractor Flexible Business Interiors, and M&E Smith Consultancy.
St Paul’s House was built in 1878 as a warehouse and cloth-cutting works for Sir John Barran, the founder of the mass-production, ready-made clothing industry in Leeds.
The refurbishment of the building, which has occupiers including DAC Beachcroft, Cushman & Wakefield, and accountants Sedulo, started in May.
Elizabeth Ridler, office agency partner at the Leeds office of Knight Frank, commented: “This significant investment has created high-quality grade A office specification internally which, when combined with the stunning exterior façade and its unrivalled location with gorgeous views over the green space of Park Square, offers one of the most attractive working environments in Leeds.
“In addition to the newly refurbished contemporary reception and toilets, the existing occupiers are now enjoying the brand-new end-of-journey offering that includes club class showers, high quality changing area with heated lockers and cycle storage.
“There is currently strong interest in the 10,739 sq ft first floor which has been completed at the perfect time, as there is a shortage of immediately available grade A space on a single floor in the prime Leeds commercial core.
“There is one highly specified fitted plug and play suite of 2,471 sq ft available on the second floor with the opportunity to tailor-make a fitted suite of 2,223 sq ft on the third floor respectively.
“The landlord is delivering what occupiers want in the form of fitted suites which have been delivered to a very high standard.
“It’s important to note that 26% of all lettings in Q3 this year were in fitted suites, and we expect this trend to continue as it helps to remove the stress from an office move.”
Howard Powsney, director at Incognito, said: “Our goal with the refurbishment was to elevate St Paul’s House to meet the expectations of today’s occupiers, while respecting its architectural heritage.”
Leigh Perl, chief operating officer of EPIC UK, said: “It is one of the most distinctive, light, airy and iconic buildings in Leeds and we have honoured that.
“At the same time it was important that we created some of the most hi-tech and sustainable grade A office space in the city, underpinned by a commitment to ESG, and that is what we have done with substantial upgrades to the reception, first and second floors, to end-of journey facilities, and to the exterior of the building, which has been thoroughly cleaned.
“In particular, we are now fully connected with the Leeds PIPES network, which provides homes, businesses, and public buildings with heat and hot water that is affordable, reliable and low carbon.”
