Trio of businesses set for expansion at former Leeds foundry buildings

Three companies are set to expand into The Round Foundry area of Holbeck Urban Village.

With this latest announcement, the business development is now almost fully occupied with a growing community of creative and tech businesses.

SpaceInvader, an interior design agency which has studios in London and Manchester, has chosen the Green Sand Foundry as the home of its third studio.

The design specialist has already been delivering projects for Leeds-based clients and were recently tasked with helping Sky Betting & Gaming develop its new flagship digital base in the city.

Spotting further potential for growth at a time when Leeds has been identified creative and digital industries as a key growth sector, the company has taken 4,313 sq. ft of space in the Green Sand Foundry, a self-contained heritage building fronting Water Lane.

John Williams, director of SpaceInvader, said: “We will create a space that is more than just an interior design studio – it will be opened up to external creatives and consultants to come together in a purposefully collaborative environment.

“We knew we wanted to be in Holbeck Urban Village because it is home to many of the city’s most innovative companies, and the Green Sand Foundry is a beautifully designed building, sympathetically transformed for the 21st century, so it’s a natural fit for us.”

Also new to the area is Taste, a sandwich shop and café which was established from the team at Your Engine Room, which has been based in the Round Foundry Media Centre for six years. Opening in June, Taste have taken over the 968 sq. ft unit previously home to the Pickled Pepper.

Ian Hargreaves, managing director, commented: “The Round Foundry area is a fantastic independent foodie hotspot, so it was a no brainer to set up our business here. It’s such a busy area with lots of hard workers, many of whom need a speedy service that doesn’t compromise on quality.

“We think it’s really important to support fellow local businesses, so all our suppliers will be Leeds or Yorkshire-based firms.”

Urban Wilderness, a landscape architecture and master planning consultancy which specialises in the design and master planning of urban realm, residential, education and regeneration projects, is also expanding for a third time within Holbeck Urban Village.

Having outgrown its first two offices in the Round Foundry Media Centre, the company has now signed a three-year lease to relocate to a 780sq ft. unit situated within Saw Mill Yard. Nathan Edwards, director of Urban Wilderness, added “it is great to have a standalone space which we can make our own. Saw Mill Yard has a great atmosphere and offers our staff a choice of places for lunch and relaxation on our doorstep.”

All deals were completed by Creative Space Management, acting as joint agent with Knight Frank. Fox Lloyd Jones acted on behalf of SpaceInvader.