Winvic tees up Q4 start for £130m Leeds BTR

Gateway 2 approval has been secured for 578 apartments across two towers at Lisbon Street, where the contractor is working for Marrico Asset Management and Helios Real Estate.

Winvic Construction, no stranger to working around the former International Swimming Pool development hotspot, has now been appointed to deliver the build-to-rent residential scheme, after the Gateway 2 hurdle, introduced to enhance safety measures, was cleared.

Acting on behalf of new client Lisbon Street Developments – the name for the JV between Marrico and Helios, Winvic will deliver 578 apartments across two residential towers, with construction due to start this year.

The appointment comes six months after Winvic delivered a 548-bed student living scheme next to the proposed site.

The BTR scheme will feature towrs of 33 and 22 storeys, set above a single-storey podium and shared basement. The podium will include resident amenity spaces and two commercial units, while the basement will provide car parking, direct access into both buildings, and ancillary facilities. Other features include a roof terrace and east-facing balconies.

Mark Jones, managing director for multi-room at Winvic, said: “Working in partnership with Marrico Asset Management, we look forward to delivering a high-quality residential scheme that will contribute to Leeds’ continued growth and provide homes in a thriving city centre location.

“Following our recent work on the same site, this development is a great example of our capability. The scheme’s scale, complexity and prominent city centre location make it an exciting addition to our portfolio.”

Richard Bland, partner at Marrico Asset Management, said: “Gateway 2 approval moves the scheme into delivery. We appointed Winvic following their work on the PBSA scheme on the same site, which gave us confidence in their ability to deliver here.

“The BTR towers are the third scheme underway on the former International Swimming Pool site, following student scheme and the aparthotel now under construction. Together with Helios, we are focused on bringing forward 578 well-built rental homes in a central Leeds location.”

In further news around the ISP site, Caddick Construction recently began work delivering a 200-key hotel. Marrico and Helios meanwhile, have applied for a temporary change of use for part of the student accommodation at the site, looking to introduce hotel stays even during term time in response to low occupancy.