Member Article

Boultree Brooks' iconic Concordia Works wins prestigious national offices award

The newly-refurbished Concordia Works in Sovereign Street, Leeds, has won a major honour in the prestigious British Council of Offices (BCO) National Awards.

Concordia Works, a unique and striking five-storey property, was named the best new office in the “up to 1,500 sq metres category”, covering corporate, commercial, fit out and refurbished/recycled workplaces in the UK.

The BCO judges praised Concordia Works for a transformative space which has modern businesses in mind, whilst maintaining its existing structure and many original period features. The judges also commented that the lighting design was seen as a key factor in this building’s success.

The judges said: “This former industrial warehouse has been transformed into a bright, contemporary business space, fusing original features with modern design. The exposed brickwork, trusses and iron columns help create a dynamic loft-style workspace.”

The judges were also impressed by the sensitive restoration of this formerly run-down building and the resultant new vibrant “techy” office space made it a worthy winner of the 1,500m2 award.

Concordia Works had previously won the same category in the BCO Regional Awards in June this year.

Eamon Fox, head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who put Concordia Works forward for the award, commented: “This extremely prestigious national honour is so well-deserved and a resounding endorsement of the finest refurbished office building to become available in Leeds last year.

“Built in the early 20th century, this former yarn and cord warehouse had been sadly neglected before London-based developers Boultbee Brooks transformed it with modern businesses in mind, whilst maintaining its existing structure and original period features.

“The refurbishment is a fusion of original features and modern design, creating a dynamic hi-spec loft-style workspace. The interior design respects the integrity of the warehouse’s industrial past. Exposed brickwork, trusses and cast iron columns play a major part in the building’s new look.

“The result is that four of the five floors have been let since its launch, with the final floor under offer, with tenants captivated by the exceptional and adaptable open plan office space, which offers a contemporary working environment for dynamic and creative businesses.

“BBRE have spent £2.0 million on the radical refurbishment of a building steeped in the proud industrial heritage of this great city. This marvellous building could so easily have slipped into obscurity, but it has been restored and revived and is now a vibrant part of 21st century Leeds,” said Mr Fox.

The Leeds office of Knight Frank are the joint marketing agents for Concordia Works with the Leeds office of Savills.

Firecrest Construction acted as main contractor. Gpad London were the architects and Projex Building Solutions, the project managers and quantity surveyors.

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