Leeds co-living scheme given the green light

A landmark development in Leeds city centre is set to transform a vacant office block into modern, sustainable co-living homes.

Watkin Jones has secured approval from Leeds City Council to repurpose Headrow House on The Headrow into 230 managed rental homes, addressing the growing demand for high-quality city-centre living.

The scheme, scheduled for completion in 2028, will also retain retail units on the ground floor, supporting local businesses and residents.

The project incorporates sustainable design aligned with the company’s ESG strategy, including energy-efficient upgrades like photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps, and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. By reusing the building, the project will reduce embodied carbon by 78 per cent.

Residents will benefit from a gym, co-working spaces, a cinema and shared kitchens, alongside excellent transport links with Leeds train station just 300 metres away. This redevelopment will contribute to Leeds’ regeneration efforts, combining modern living with historic preservation.

Iain Smith, planning director at Watkin Jones, said: "We are very excited to announce planning approval for Headrow House, our first co-living project in Leeds.

“Ranked the third largest city by population in the UK, Leeds is a vital commercial and residential centre, and we are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable co-living accommodation that will help to address the on-going demand for rental homes in Leeds city centre.

“We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with Leeds City Council and our local communities to address this growing demand, while also supporting our ESG targets as a business.”

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