International finance company relocates Leeds HQ in "significant" property deal

An international finance company has announced that it is relocating to new headquarters in Leeds.

International Personal Finance (IPF) has taken a 10-year lease on more than 15,000 sq ft of office space on Whitehall Road from Credit Suisse.

The lease, which property consultancy Knight Frank has called one of the “most significant” office deals in the area this year, will see IPF pay £23.50 per sq ft.

Eamon Fox of Knight Frank, who advised Credit Suisse, commented: “This is a very significant deal, underlining the fact that 26 Whitehall Road is one of the finest office buildings in the city.

“It already boasts some high-profile occupiers, including Yorkshire Post Newspapers, energy company Engie (formerly GDF Suez) and Sky, and is now full.

“These occupiers underpin the quality of 26 Whitehall Road and its excellent location. It has an enviable combination of low running costs, high-tech features, quality design and superb office space. It is also one of the most energy efficient buildings in Leeds and has recently been refurbished.

“This deal, one of the largest of the last three months, also emphasises the strength of the Leeds office market, which has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the global pandemic. Take-up of office space in Leeds city centre in the first half of this year was 280,000 sq ft, a 72 per cent increase compared to the first six months of 2020.”