Member Article

'Ugly duckling' Bond Court set to start multi-million regeneration

The multi-million pound regeneration of the Bond Court area in Leeds takes a major step forward next week, with work starting on site.

The refurbishment of 9 Bond Court announced earlier this year is the latest development of the regeneration of Bond Court, which is rapidly becoming the finest office location in the city, according to global property consultancy Knight Frank.

Alex Duckett, associate in the Leeds office of Knight Frank, explained: “Every single building on Bond Court is having a refurbishment, creating a superb new office quarter in the heart of Leeds.

“The new 10-storey, 90-bedroom Dakota Hotel, which is replacing the brutalist Greek Street car park and will look down over Bond Court, will provide a whole new dimension to the area.

“Meanwhile the new student housing development at Pennine House Bond Court, Wilton Developments’ 2 Bond Court, formerly known as Midland House, and the recently-purchased Aquis House, are all combining to create a new-look quarter, which is enhanced by the work done to the public realm area in the centre of Bond Court.

“Finally, the iconic 9 Bond Court, the jewel in the crown of the whole of Bond Court, begins a comprehensive multi-million pound refurbishment next week.

“The refurbishment work, which includes for two refurbished office floors of approximately 5,800 sq ft and lobbies; a new reception; a new entrance; new basement shower facilities; and floor-to-ceiling glazing, is on-going and will be complete by July next year.

“Bond Court, once an ugly duckling, is now becoming the new heart of the professional core in Leeds.”

The building is let to a number of professional firms including global property consultancy Knight Frank, Stewarts Law, Redmayne-Bentley and Begbies Traynor.

A planning application has been approved by Leeds City Council for a new entrance to the building and floor-to ceiling glazing, allowing work to start on site.

Patrick Carter, associate director at Savills Leeds, adds: “There is a lack of good quality Grade A stock in Leeds and this extensive refurbishment work will give 9 Bond Court a new exciting new lease of life and we are sure that it will help us target new occupiers.”

Gary Bulloch of Savills, who is project managing the refurbishment, explains: “When previous owners F&C REIT Asset Management bought 9 Bond Court in 2004, they did a substantial amount of modernisation work on the building.

“We have taken this a step further to create much-needed high-quality office space in the centre of Leeds, fit for the 21st century.”

Knight Frank and Savills are the joint marketing agents for 9 Bond Court, which was recently bought by Cordea Savills, on behalf of a client, from F&C REIT Asset Management.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .