Partner Article

Knight Frank appointed to market flagship Leeds development

The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed to market the flagship 130,000 sq ft No 1 Whitehall Riverside office development in Leeds.

The news of Knight Frank’s appointment at No 1 Whitehall Riverside comes hard on the heels of a £150,000 reception refurbishment by owners NFU Mutual and the letting of 8,160 sq ft to Swedish bank Handelsbanken at a headline rent of £26 per sq ft.

Eamon Fox, partner with Knight Frank in Leeds, specialising in office agency, commented: “This is a very prestigious appointment for Knight Frank, marketing what is, arguably, the finest office building in the city. The fact that a rent of £26 per sq ft - the highest in the Leeds - has just been achieved underlines the sheer quality and pulling power of the building.

“The recent letting to Handelsbanken means there is just 26,000 sq ft of high quality office space left to lease. We are currently finalising legal terms for the whole of the fifth floor, comprising 17,159 sq ft, and will be announcing the new occupiers shortly. This will be the largest Grade A office letting in Leeds this year.

“On a personal note, I have had a long association with the building, having marketed it at my previous firm DTZ. It has an enviable combination of low running costs, high-calibre occupiers and superb office space.

“Recent lettings and lease extensions, including the ground floor café The Riverside, demonstrate that this splendid building continues to meet the highest expectations of its occupiers,” he added.

David Hidderley of NFU Mutual commented: “We are delighted to welcome Eamon Fox and Knight Frank on board as joint marketing agents with JLL. Their knowledge of the office market in the city is extensive, while their experience and expertise will prove invaluable in attracting quality new occupiers to No 1 Whitehall Riverside”.

Richard Thornton, director at JLL says: “We welcome the appointment of Knight Frank to the letting team. Eamon is very familiar with the outstanding credentials of the building and we expect to make some more announcements very soon with further letting activity”

Other occupiers include: Grant Thornton, Arcadis, Straight, BNY Mellon, Michael Page International and Mackenzie Stuart.

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