Developers announced for scheme set to 'revitalise' historic Leeds city centre street

Leeds City Council has announced the appointment of the property developer set to deliver a brand new scheme to ‘revitalise’ a historic street in the city centre.

Members of the council’s executive board have approved Town Centre Securities (TCS) as the selected partner to transform the George Street area, between Kirkgate Market and the Victoria Gate development.

TCS submitted plans for the development following an open invitation by Leeds City Council, to all developers, for proposals to create a scheme for the gateway between the new Victoria Gate development and newly refurbished Kirkgate Market.

The council and Town Centre Securities are now set to form a partnership, with the Council acquiring a 50% ownership of the completed development.

The overall investment by Leeds City Council is estimated to be £12.9m.

The proposals include replacing the current outdated 1930s and 1980s buildings with a new aparthotel and nine commercial units. The ground floor commercial units will have entrances on George Street and form connections through to the former Butchers Row, which offers the opportunity to access the market from several points along George Street.

The aparthotel will also link directly into the market as well as from George Street to encourage guests to visit Kirkgate during their stay in Leeds. Bringing a aparthotel to this area of the city centre is expected to bring positive economic impacts and help boost the visitor economy.

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “The redevelopment of the George Street area is a unique opportunity to enhance and revitalise an historic area of the city. We are at early stages of the proposals but we are keen to work with Town Centre Securities to create the right development for this part of the city.

“The existing buildings are outdated and out of proportion with the Grade-I Listed market building and the Victoria Leeds development opposite, so by creating a building more in-keeping with its new surroundings, we can encourage new visitors and enhance business for our market traders.”

Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive at Town Centre Securities, commented: “We are keen to work with the city council to continue the regeneration of this area of the city and build linkages with the adjacent Victoria Gate development.

“We believe the redevelopment of the George Street buildings will strengthen these linkages to the benefit of both”.

A full planning application for the development will be submitted in 2018 with work due to start in 2019.

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