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Concordia Works wins major honour in BCO awards

The newly-refurbished Concordia Works in Sovereign Street, Leeds, has won a major honour in the prestigious British Council of Offices (BCO) Northern Awards.

Concordia Works, a unique and striking five-storey property, was named the best new office in the “up to 1,500 sq metres category”, covering corporate, commercial, fit out and refurbished/recycled workplace.

The BCO judges praised Concordia Works for a “transformative space which has modern businesses in mind, whilst maintaining its existing structure and many original period features.

They added that the interior design respects the integrity of the warehouse’s industrial past with exposed brickwork, trusses and cast iron columns playing a major part in the building’s new look. Lighting design was also seen as a key factor in this building’s success, as the LED based office lighting is designed with daylight sensors to maintain appropriate light levels whilst keeping operating costs at a minimum.

Concordia Works will now been submitted to the BCO National Awards in October 2017. Eamon Fox, head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who put Concordia Works forward for the award, commented: “This honour is so well-deserved and is a resounding endorsement of the finest refurbished office building to become available in Leeds last year.

“From start to finish the project was a pleasure to work on. This award is a joint success for our whole team which included Contractor Firecrest Construction, Project Manager & Quantity Surveyor Projex Building Solutions, and Architecture & Interior Design gpad London ltd and of course our client Boultbee Brooks for working on the vision and encouraging us to push the boundaries of office design”

“Built in the early 20th century, this former yarn and cord warehouse had been sadly neglected before London-based developers Boultbee Brooks transformed it with modern businesses in mind, whilst maintaining its existing structure and original period features.

“The refurbishment is a fusion of original features and modern design, creating a dynamic hi-spec loft-style workspace. The interior design respects the integrity of the warehouse’s industrial past. Exposed brickwork, trusses and cast iron columns play a major part in the building’s new look,” said James Whitcher from Boultbee Brooks.

Concordia Works is now home to three successful tech companies, Yonder Consulting, Bark & Bite and Caldero Limited. There is only one floor left, which is attracting interest from three tech companies.

“Tenants have been captivated by the exceptional and adaptable open plan office space, which offers a contemporary working environment for dynamic and creative businesses.

“Boultbee Brooks have spent £1.5 million on the radical refurbishment of a building steeped in the proud industrial heritage of this great city. This marvellous building could so easily have slipped into obscurity, but it has been restored and revived and is now a vibrant part of 21st century Leeds,” said Mr Fox.

Bark & Bite, the leading Yorkshire television and video production company, has taken the 3,036 sq ft second floor of the iconic building.

Christian Knowles-Fitton, Managing Director of Bark & Bite commented: “With a rapidly expanding team and a need for new premises, Bark&Bite are moving to the newly renovated Concordia Works. Concordia Works fits the agency’s needs perfectly. It’s a great mix of contemporary and industrial design and the regeneration of the surrounding area sets the right tone for the level of clients we service.”

The Leeds office of Knight Frank are the joint marketing agents for Concordia Works with the Leeds office of Savills.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .