Popular Leeds building undergoing £6.5m transformation ready to open in autumn

The transformation of Leeds’ 34 Boar Lane into an office and retail building is nearing completion.

Owners and developers Kinrise are fulfilling plans to create a ‘dynamic’ mixed-use destinations for the city.

The 56,000 sq ft building - formerly CGU House - is located immediately opposite the railway station and Trinity Leeds shopping centre. It aims to be ready for occupation this September.

The £6.5m refurbishment of 34 Boar Lane is being undertaken by London-based contractors Oktra. The new building will feature three independent retail and leisure units on the ground floor and five floors of quality Grade A office space.

Each floor comprises up to 10,000 sq ft of office space, but can be sub-divided.

George Haddo, co-founder and director of Kinrise, said: “Our aim is to turn iconic but unloved buildings into creative work and community space.

“It means that the city’s heritage lives on for the future and real cultural capital remains in the centre rather than being pushed further out of cities.

“Our new flagship project in Boar Lane is being regenerated into an inspiring collaborative environment that will offer its occupiers characterful, design-led office and co-working space with top technology [and] restaurants, shops and events space.”

Kinrise bought 34 Boar Lane for £9.58m from Regional REIT, managed by London & Scottish Investments.

Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, which is marketing 34 Boar Lane, concluded: “We worked with Kinrise for over three years to find the correct property in Leeds to buy and now our ambitious vision is becoming a reality.

“34 Boar Lane is being substantially redeveloped, incorporating the principles of a community of like-minded people shaping a place together, with connected environments: digitally, physically, socially…

“We are transforming this well-positioned building into an exciting workplace at the forefront of the Leeds market. Be prepared, this is going to be very special.”