Member Article

Knight Frank brokers new lettings at popular Central Park

Expanding IT apprenticeship training firm Estio Training has taken 5,770 sq ft of quality office space at the popular Central Park development in Leeds.

Estio, who have offices in Leeds, Manchester and London, already occupy 5,200 sq ft at Central Park. This new space will allow the firm to expand the number of training classrooms and provide space for its growing sales team.

The deal at Central Park, which is owned by regional office fund Squarestone Growth, was brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank.

Lee Meadows of Estio commented: “The location of Central Park is ideal, as we’re just off the motorway with car parking outside the front door. It’s easy for our training delegates to find us as we are just two minutes from the south entrance of Leeds train station.

“We are delighted with our offices in Leeds, which provide an excellent modern working environment and the rent is reasonable. They provide a perfect platform for our head office expansion,” said Mr Meadows.

Sam Jamieson of Knight Frank, who represented Squarestone Growth, commented: “Estio Training are flourishing in Leeds and have made a major commitment to Central Park, which is perfectly located immediately south of Leeds Station and close to the River Aire.

“Central Park also fronts the main approach road into Leeds from the A1, the M1 and the rest of Yorkshire’s superb motorway network. This is an area of Leeds which is becoming increasingly popular, given its location close to the station and its competitive rents,” said Mr Jamieson.

“The offices themselves provide an excellent modern working environment. The new Estio deal means that Building 2 at Central Park is now full, with the recently refurbished Building 3, comprising 15,000 sq ft, the last remaining vacant space on the site.

Paul Coulter, Head of Asset Management for Squarestone, commented:“ We are delighted that Estio have committed their future to Central Park. This is a ringing endorsement of the development and supports our programme of investment to upgrade the site and to appeal to modern occupier needs, whilst providing cost-effective space in a superb central location.“ Other tenants at Central Park include QBE and Unisys.

Meanwhile the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has advised on the significant letting of a new centre of excellence for Asda next to Central Park on behalf of landlords Squarestone.

Located on the former Pentair site on Great Wilson Street, Asda’s Merchandising Centre of Excellence (MCE) in Leeds is close to its existing head office.

Paul Coulter, commented: “Squarestone made a significant investment into Leeds last year acquiring Central Office Park and the adjacent Former Pentair Valves site. We were delighted to work with ASDA to reconfigure our former vacant warehouse site to create a bespoke Merchandising Centre of Excellence for the supermarket.”

Iain McPhail, industrial partner with Knight Frank’s multi award-winning Yorkshire industrial property team, said: “The building fronts a prominent gateway route into Leeds city centre and the recent refurbishment, redevelopment and transformation of the 94,000 sq ft building which sits on 3.7 acres has been fantastic. It is another significant investment in the city of Leeds by Squarestone.”

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